Home-Based watch repair bench

Local individuals with watches and clocks they care about, plus jewellers, pawn shops and gift shops that outsource repairs.

A set price per repair or service. Batteries and straps are quick, low-priced jobs, while mechanical servicing earns more per piece. Trade work for jewellers adds steady volume.

• Steady hands and patience
• Attention to fine detail
• Basic mechanical understanding
• Clear communication with customers

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on customers visiting your home
• Ask your home insurer whether it covers business equipment and customers' watches left in your care, and consider garage keepers or bailee-type cover
• Valuable watches carry risk: agree written terms, photograph items on drop-off and keep them secure
• Parts for some brands are restricted by manufacturers, so be clear about which brands you can and cannot service
• If you trade under a name other than your own legal name, check whether you need to register that business name with your province, and check with the Canada Revenue Agency when you need to register for GST/HST

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on the tools, parts stock and workbench equipment you choose. A tidy home bench keeps costs lower than renting a shop.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many jobs you take, the types of repair you offer and whether you also take trade work from jewellers and gift shops.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or limits customers visiting your home. Ask your home insurer about covering equipment and customers' watches. Also check business name registration with your province and GST/HST registration with the Canada Revenue Agency.