Home bench VCR repair

Households with old family tapes, collectors, community groups, and small businesses or schools still using VCRs.

A diagnostic fee plus a repair price per machine, with extra for a full service and clean. Some repeat work comes from referrals and local groups.

• Basic electronics and soldering
• Patience with fault-finding
• Clear communication with non-technical customers

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits
• Commercial general liability insurance, especially if customers' tapes or homes are involved
• Parts are no longer made, so check your sources and be honest when a machine is not worth repairing
• Work safely around mains power and capacitors that can hold a charge
• Check your province's rules for disposing of electronic waste
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on the tools, test equipment and parts you already own. Check your sources for parts, since they are no longer made.

Things to check: whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits, liability insurance, safe work around mains power and capacitors, your province's e-waste disposal rules, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,000, depending on how many repairs you take on and your pricing. Be honest with customers when a machine is not worth repairing.