Jewellery and watch repair and engraving

Local people with broken or sentimental pieces, plus jewellers, gift shops and watch sellers who need trade repairs.

A fee per repair or engraving job, with trade work from shops giving a steadier flow. Quotes depend on materials and time.

• Bench jewellery skills such as soldering, sizing and stone setting
• Careful, patient hand work
• Honest quoting and customer service

• Insurance that covers customers' items in your care, ask your insurer about bailee or custody cover
• Fire and fume safety when soldering and using polishing machines at home
• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council before running workshop activity from home
• Risk of damaging valuable or sentimental items, record condition with photos before you start
• Hallmarking rules may apply if you make or substantially alter precious metal items, check with an Assay Office

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the bench equipment, tools and insurance you need. Costs vary with the range of repairs and engraving you plan to offer from your workshop.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on your skills, the mix of local and trade work and your hours. These are revenue estimates, not profit, so allow for materials and running costs.

Ask your insurer about cover for customers' items in your care, and check fire and fume safety when soldering or polishing. Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council about running a workshop at home, and ask an Assay Office about hallmarking.