Home workshop small appliance repair

Households who would rather repair than replace, including people on a budget, those who care about waste and owners of well-loved older appliances.

A flat diagnostic fee plus a repair price per item, with parts added at cost plus a margin. Some repairers charge a smaller fee if the item can't be fixed.

• Basic electrical and mechanical know-how
• Patient fault-finding
• Clear, honest communication about repair costs

• Commercial general liability insurance that covers repair work, since a faulty repair could cause a fire or shock
• Whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows customer visits under local zoning
• Check your provincial rules and any manufacturer warranty terms before working on certain items
• Dealing safely with items holding stored charge or lithium batteries, and declining jobs that aren't safe to fix
• Written terms on repair limits, uncollected items and what happens if a fix fails

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on the tools, test equipment and parts you need to begin with. These are estimates, and you may also need to budget for liability insurance that covers repair work.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,500, depending on the repairs you take on, your pricing and the hours you put in. Many people start part-time at around 8 hours a week.

Check that your liability insurance covers repair work, whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows customer visits, and your provincial rules and any manufacturer warranty terms. Also check safe handling of stored charge and lithium batteries, and set written repair terms.