Shredder sales, servicing and repair visits
Sell, install and service shredders at offices and schools, with maintenance contracts that bring repeat work.
- £2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
729 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46660 “Wholesale of other office machinery and equipment”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Supplying shredders to local organisations and visiting them to service, clean, oil, repair and replace machines. You work from a van or car and keep common spares and supplies in stock.
Your first three steps
- Take on a trade account with a shredder distributor and ask about manufacturer training or spare parts support
- Put together a simple service package with a price list for call-outs, annual servicing and supplies
- Visit local schools, offices and facilities managers to offer a free check of their current shredders
Who pays
Offices, schools, councils, care providers, solicitors, accountants and other organisations that need a working shredder.
How it makes money
Machine sales, call-out and repair charges, and annual service or supply contracts. Regular contracts give steadier income than one-off sales.
Skills that help
- Practical repair and maintenance
- Basic electrical awareness
- Customer service and reliability
- Quoting and invoicing
Watch out for
- Get public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for products and for working on customers' equipment
- Check what electrical safety and testing rules apply when you repair or test equipment
- Agree who is responsible for confidential material left in a machine, and clear it before servicing
- A reliable vehicle and secure storage are needed for stock and spares
- If you hire staff, check employer's liability insurance requirements
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: shredder sales, servicing and repair visits
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 shredder servicing business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on stock, spares and your vehicle. A reliable vehicle and secure storage are needed for stock and spares, so factor those in.
How much can a shredder sales and repair business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many customers you win. Offices, schools, councils and care providers may need machines and servicing, and maintenance contracts can bring repeat work.
What insurance and safety rules apply to servicing shredders?
Things to check include public liability insurance, and whether you need cover for products and for working on customers' equipment. Also check electrical safety and testing rules for repairs, and agree who is responsible for confidential material left in a machine.
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