Silver Repair and Commission Workshop

Local people with broken or inherited pieces, couples wanting custom rings, and independent shops and jewellers that outsource repairs or wholesale orders.

Repair fees, quoted prices for commissions and wholesale orders from shops. Repairs bring steady repeat trade, while commissions bring higher-value jobs.

• Advanced soldering and repair techniques
• Stone setting or willingness to learn it
• Quoting jobs accurately
• Customer service and trust

• Commercial lease terms, business licence and zoning: check with your municipality
• Insurance for customers' property, plus commercial general liability and cover for tools and stock
• Security: customers' valuables need a safe and a secure space
• Keep clear records of customers' items and agreed work to avoid disputes
• GST/HST registration and provincial rules on selling precious metal goods: check with CRA and your province
• Check whether your province has rules for buying second-hand or scrap precious metals

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your premises, tools and fit-out. Monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on how many repairs and commissions you take on.

Check your commercial lease terms, business licence and zoning with your municipality. Also check insurance for customers' property, security for valuables, GST/HST registration, and whether your province has rules for buying second-hand or scrap precious metals.

The idea calls for advanced soldering and repair techniques, stone setting or willingness to learn it, accurate job quoting, and customer service that builds trust. Typical hours are at least 30 per week.