Online photo restoration studio

Families, people clearing a relative's home, family historians and gift buyers, plus the odd local group or small business.

Fixed price per photo based on level of damage, with extras for colourisation, prints and framed copies. Bundles for whole albums bring in larger orders.

• Patient, detailed editing work
• Confident with photo editing software
• Careful handling of precious originals
• Clear, kind communication with customers

• Check how you will handle and insure original photos if customers post them to you, and use tracked delivery
• Be clear about copyright: check you have the owner's permission for photos you restore, especially professional portraits
• Look at data protection rules (UK GDPR) for storing customers' images and contact details, and check whether you need to register with the ICO
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of income

Startup costs are typically around £100 to £1,200, depending on your editing software, scanner and other equipment, and how much you spend on marketing. These are estimates, so work out your own setup costs before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £2,000, depending on how many restorations you take on, your pricing and the time you put in. The estimates start from about five hours a week. Treat these as estimates, not promises.

Check how you will handle and insure originals that customers post to you, and use tracked delivery. Check you have the owner's permission for copyright, especially professional portraits. Look at UK GDPR and whether you need to register with the ICO. Register as a sole trader with HMRC.