Local shredder sales and servicing for offices

Sell, deliver and maintain shredders for local offices and schools, and repair or service machines on site.

Startup costC$3k to C$12k
Monthly revenueC$1.5k to C$7k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A local dealer and service business. You sell shredders, deliver and set them up, and offer maintenance visits such as oiling, cleaning, clearing jams and fixing common faults at the customer's site.

Your first three steps

  1. Ask manufacturers and distributors about dealer accounts and any training or parts support they offer
  2. Visit local offices, schools and office-supply resellers to find who needs servicing and who might refer work
  3. Set up a simple price list for machines, call-outs and annual service plans, then offer a first check at a discount
Who pays

Offices, schools, medical and legal practices, municipal buildings and other organizations with shredders that must keep working.

How it makes money

Margin on machine sales, paid call-outs and repair work, parts and consumables, and optional annual service plans that bring in regular income.

Skills that help
  • Practical, mechanical know-how
  • Selling to office managers and school administrators
  • Reliable scheduling and follow-up
Watch out for
  • Check commercial general liability insurance, including cover for work at customers' premises
  • Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
  • Shredder blades are dangerous, so follow the maker's safety instructions and lock out power before opening machines
  • Check any provincial rules on electrical repair work and keep within manufacturer warranty terms
  • Check how your province handles WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help
  • Winter driving can slow your route, so plan visits with seasonality in mind

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: local shredder sales and servicing for offices

Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a shredder sales and service business?

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the stock, tools and vehicle setup you need. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, and at least around 15 hours a week is suggested.

What safety and insurance points should I check?

Shredder blades are dangerous, so follow the maker's safety instructions and lock out power before opening machines. Check commercial general liability cover for work at customers' premises, and any provincial rules on electrical repair work and manufacturer warranty terms.

What tax and staffing rules should I check for a shredder service business?

Check registering for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold. If you hire help, check how your province handles WCB/WSIB coverage. Also plan visits around winter driving, which can slow your route.

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