Mobile leather sofa and car seat repair
Visit homes, garages and dealers to repair and recolour leather sofas, car seats and large items on site.
- £1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
374 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95230 “Repair of footwear and leather goods”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A van-based service fixing scuffs, cracks, tears and faded colour on leather sofas, chairs and car interiors at the customer's location.
Your first three steps
- Take a leather repair or recolouring course and practise on old sofas and seats
- Put together a mobile kit with fillers, dyes, finishes and protective sheeting
- Contact local car dealers, valeters and furniture shops to offer trade rates
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, furniture shops, car dealers, valeters and small hotels or offices.
How it makes money
Fixed price per repair or per panel, with regular work from trade customers such as dealers and valeters.
Skills that help
- Leather repair and colour matching
- Working neatly in other people's homes
- Quoting from photos and visits
- Driving and basic scheduling
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check cover for work on customers' property
- Check that your vehicle insurance covers business use and carrying equipment
- Use dyes and solvents with good ventilation in customers' homes
- Be clear about what can be fixed, since badly worn leather may only be improved
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile leather sofa and car seat repair
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 mobile leather repair business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your van, repair and colour-matching equipment and materials. Treat this as a guide and get quotes for your own setup.
How much can a mobile leather repairer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many jobs you take and the type of work. That is revenue before costs, and the estimates start from around 12 hours a week.
What should I check before repairing leather in customers' homes?
Check public liability insurance, including cover for work on customers' property, and that your vehicle insurance covers business use and carrying equipment. Also check ventilation when using dyes and solvents, and be clear about what can realistically be fixed.
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Photo: garten-gg on Pixabay