Start a home-based data recovery service

Individuals who have lost family photos or documents, plus small businesses with a failed external drive or a corrupted memory card.

A fixed fee per successful recovery, often with a free assessment and a 'no data, no fee' promise. Fees usually depend on the device type and the complexity of the job.

• Comfortable with file systems and operating systems
• Patient, careful, methodical work
• Clear communication with worried customers

• You will handle personal data, so check your UK GDPR duties and whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, since customers may blame you if data is lost
• Never promise a result; be clear about which faults you cannot fix at home, such as clicking or non-spinning drives
• Securely delete customer data once the job is done and agree how long you keep it
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business run from home

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your recovery software, equipment and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup carefully before buying anything.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £3,500, depending on how many jobs you take and what you charge. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week, so it can be started alongside other commitments.

Check your UK GDPR duties, whether you must pay the ICO data protection fee, and insurance such as professional indemnity and public liability. Also check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a home business.