Guitar and violin repair and setup shop

Local musicians, school and community music programs, music teachers, music shops that outsource repairs, and collectors.

Fixed prices for common jobs (setups, restrings, refrets) and quoted prices for larger repairs or restorations. Repeat customers and referrals from music stores and teachers keep work steady.

• Fine woodworking and repair skills
• Understanding of guitar, bowed and other string instrument construction
• Customer service and clear quoting
• Soldering for electric instruments

• Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for a shop or home workshop
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for customers' instruments while in your care (bailee or garage-keepers style cover, check with a broker)
• Valuable or antique instruments carry the risk of costly damage, so agree the work in writing and photograph condition on drop-off
• Check registration for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Demand is seasonal, often busier before school terms and in winter, so plan for quieter spells

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your premises, tools and insurance. These are estimates only, so price your workshop and tool list before choosing a space.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many repairs and setups you take on. Demand is seasonal, so plan for quieter spells. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for a shop or home workshop, and GST/HST registration. Check insurance, including cover for customers' instruments in your care. For valuable instruments, agree work in writing and photograph condition on drop-off.