Home leather repair workshop

Private customers with a favourite bag, jacket or pair of shoes they would rather mend than replace, plus vintage and second-hand sellers.

A fixed price per repair, quoted from a photo or on drop-off, with extra for materials such as zips, dye and thread.

• Hand stitching and basic sewing
• Patience and an eye for detail
• Colour matching and finishing
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business at home
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' items in your care
• Glues, dyes and solvents need good ventilation and safe storage
• Agree in writing what you can and cannot fix, since some damage cannot be repaired fully

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on the sewing equipment, tools, dyes and materials you buy. Insurance is another cost to check before taking on customers' items.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on the repairs you offer, your pricing and how busy you are. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business at home, and arrange public liability cover including customers' items. Ventilate and safely store glues, dyes and solvents, and agree in writing what you can and cannot fix.