Small appliance repair shop
Open a small street-front shop where locals bring kettles, vacuums and other appliances to be fixed.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small premises with a counter and repair bench where you fix household appliances while customers wait or collect later. You can also add vacuum servicing, cord replacement and sharpening or basic parts sales.
Your first three steps
- Scout affordable units near busy foot traffic and compare rent with the repair volume you'd need to cover it
- Get your repair skills and tool kit ready and line up parts suppliers for common brands
- Register your business with your province, get a Business Number from the CRA and set up a price list and job ticket system
Who pays
Local households, students, older residents and landlords who want working appliances without buying new.
How it makes money
Diagnostic and repair fees per item, parts sold with a margin, and add-on services such as vacuum servicing and tune-ups.
Skills that help
- Electrical and mechanical repair
- Customer service at the counter
- Basic bookkeeping and stock control
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability and property insurance for the premises
- Municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, which differ by city
- A lease that you can afford during slow months, as repair demand can be uneven through the year
- WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire help, with rules that vary by province
- Safe handling and disposal of old parts, batteries and e-waste under local rules
- Quebec businesses should check French-language signage and consumer rules
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small appliance repair shop
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open an appliance repair shop in Canada?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the premises, tools, parts stock and lease. These are estimates, so make sure you can afford the lease during slow months, as demand can be uneven.
How much can a small appliance repair shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on location, the services you offer and how busy the shop is. Demand can be uneven through the year, so plan for slower months.
What licences and rules apply to a repair shop in Canada?
Check for a municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, which differ by city, plus commercial liability and property insurance. Also check WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire, safe disposal of parts, batteries and e-waste, and French-language rules in Quebec.
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