Mobile coffee machine installer and engineer
Install, service and repair commercial coffee machines at cafés and offices, and sell machines and parts on the side.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service installing, descaling, maintaining and repairing espresso machines, grinders and bean-to-cup machines at customers' sites. You can also supply machines and spare parts.
Your first three steps
- Look into manufacturer or distributor training courses for commercial coffee machine servicing
- Get a van, tools, a stock of common spares and a simple pricing sheet for call-outs and service plans
- Offer service contracts to local cafés and ask distributors about overflow work
Who pays
Cafés, restaurants, hotels, offices and other businesses that rely on their coffee machine every day.
How it makes money
Call-out and hourly charges, annual service contracts, parts, and margin on machines you supply and install.
Skills that help
- Practical, mechanical and plumbing aptitude
- Basic electrical safety knowledge
- Fault-finding and reliable customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether you need product liability or tools cover
- Electrical and water connection work may need qualifications or competent person registration, check what applies
- Portable appliance testing and gas or pressure equipment rules, check what is required for the machines you handle
- Machines under warranty may need an approved engineer, check manufacturer rules
- Emergency call-outs can disrupt your week, so set clear response times
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile coffee machine installer and 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 a coffee machine servicing business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your vehicle, tools and any machines or spare parts you stock. Treat this as an estimate and get your own quotes before you buy.
What rules should I check before repairing commercial coffee machines?
Electrical and water connection work may need qualifications or competent person registration, so check what applies. Also check portable appliance testing, gas or pressure equipment rules, public liability insurance, and whether machines under warranty need an approved engineer.
How much can a coffee machine engineer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many customers you service and whether you sell machines and parts. Emergency call-outs can disrupt your week, so set clear response times.
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