Mobile sewing machine repair

Dressmakers, alteration shops, small clothing makers, schools and community sewing groups, as well as home sewers who find it hard to transport heavy machines.

A call-out fee or per-machine service price, plus parts. Group visits to studios and workshops make a trip worth the travel time.

• Mechanical repair on a range of machines, including industrial ones
• Safe driving and route planning
• Customer service
• Scheduling

• Commercial general liability insurance and business vehicle insurance, so check that your personal policy covers work use
• Registration with your province, and a GST/HST number once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Winter driving and weather can disrupt your schedule, so plan for that
• Some repairs need a full bench setup, so decide what you will take back to a workspace
• Check municipal rules about advertising and parking if you operate from a vehicle

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your tools, vehicle needs and how many machine types you plan to service. These are estimates, so check them against your own plans.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,500, depending on your service area, how many studios or workshops you visit and your pricing. Winter weather can disrupt your schedule, so plan for quieter periods.

Check commercial general liability and business vehicle insurance, including whether your personal policy covers work use. Also check provincial registration, GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and municipal rules on advertising and parking if you operate from a vehicle.