Mobile appliance repair engineer
Visit homes to repair washing machines, dishwashers, ovens and fridges, so people avoid the cost of replacing them.
- £1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
2,228 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95220 “Repair of household appliances and home and garden equipment”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You travel to customers' homes, diagnose faults in everyday appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, ovens and fridges, and fix them using stocked or ordered parts.
Your first three steps
- Choose which appliances to cover first (for example washing machines and dishwashers) and look at training courses or an apprenticeship with an established engineer
- Buy a core tool kit, a test meter and a starter stock of common parts, and set up accounts with parts suppliers
- Get insured, set up a simple website and Google Business profile, and contact local landlords and letting agents for work
Who pays
Homeowners, tenants, landlords, letting agents and small holiday let owners.
How it makes money
A call-out or diagnostic fee plus labour and parts, with repeat work from landlords and letting agents.
Skills that help
- Fault finding and mechanical aptitude
- Basic electrical knowledge
- Clear communication with customers
- Organised with parts and bookings
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and consider cover for your tools and van
- Electrical safety: check what training and portable appliance testing knowledge you need before working on mains-powered goods
- Gas appliances such as cookers and boilers must only be worked on by Gas Safe registered engineers, so check before offering this
- Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases, so check the qualifications and rules that apply before working on the sealed system
- Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check how consumer rights rules apply to your guarantees on repairs
- Check whether you need a waste carrier registration if you take away old appliances
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile appliance repair engineer
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 start an appliance repair business?
Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your tools, how much parts stock you carry and the vehicle you use. These are estimates, so consider cover for your tools and van too.
What qualifications and rules should I check for appliance repair?
Check what training and portable appliance testing knowledge you need for mains-powered goods. Gas appliances must only be worked on by Gas Safe registered engineers, and fridges contain refrigerant gases, so check the qualifications and rules that apply first.
How much can a mobile appliance repair engineer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many call-outs you take, the repairs you offer and your area. The idea is estimated to need from about 15 hours a week.
Other ways to run this business
Similar home services ideas
Garden design and project manager
Design gardens, then oversee local builders and planters to deliver the finished project for clients.
- £1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local home help agency run from home
Match reliable helpers with people who need support with cleaning, shopping and errands at home.
- £1.5k-7.5k
- Part-time
- From home
Garden irrigation installer
Fit automatic watering systems in home gardens, greenhouses and allotments, and service them each spring and autumn.
- £1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local tool hire with delivery
Rent out power tools and small equipment from home storage, delivered to DIYers and small builders nearby.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile fridge and freezer repair
Visit homes and small businesses to diagnose and fix broken fridges and freezers on the spot.
- £1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Skylight and rooflight installer
Fit and replace skylights and rooflights in homes, extensions and loft conversions for local owners and builders.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about