Electric motor repair and rewind workshop
Run a small unit that repairs, rewinds and tests motors for local farms, factories and workshops.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,494 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 33140 “Repair of electrical equipment”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small workshop that strips down faulty electric motors, replaces bearings and seals, rewinds coils where needed, then tests and returns them. You might also offer pump and gearbox motor servicing.
Your first three steps
- Get hands-on experience or training in motor winding and repair if you don't already have it, for example by working for an existing repairer
- Price up a small industrial unit and the key kit (test equipment, winding tools, balancing, a lathe) and write a simple cashflow plan
- Visit local farms, factories and maintenance firms to ask what they currently pay for repairs and how long they wait
Who pays
Farms, factories, joinery and engineering workshops, water and pump companies, and maintenance contractors who need motors back running quickly.
How it makes money
Fixed or quoted prices per repair or rewind, plus a fee for fast turnaround and collection. Regular maintenance customers bring repeat work.
Skills that help
- Electrical and mechanical know-how
- Careful, accurate hand work
- Fault-finding and testing
- Quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability and product liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire
- Safe working with electricity and heavy motors; check the rules on electrical safety and lifting
- Check the planning use class of any unit, and whether council permission is needed for varnishing, burn-off ovens or noise
- Handling waste oil, varnish and scrap metal; check waste carrier and disposal rules
- Customers in hazardous areas, such as those with explosive atmospheres, may require specialist competence, so check before taking that work
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: electric motor repair and rewind workshop
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 electric motor repair workshop?
Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, equipment and testing gear you need. These are estimates, so get quotes and check the unit's planning use class before signing anything.
How much can a motor repair workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your customer base, the jobs you take and how quickly you turn motors around. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a motor repair workshop?
Check the planning use class of the unit and whether council permission is needed for varnishing, burn-off ovens or noise. Also check electrical safety and lifting rules, waste oil and scrap metal disposal, insurance, and specialist competence for hazardous areas.
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