Copier repair and refurbishment workshop

Repair copiers in a small unit and refurbish used machines to sell or lease to local businesses.

Startup cost£5k to £25k

Monthly revenue£2k to £10k

Time needed30+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£5k-25k
Full-time
Own premises

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

5,811 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 33120 “Repair of machinery”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

A small workshop where you repair machines brought in or collected, and refurbish used copiers to resell or rent out, with some on-site service visits.

Your first three steps

Price up small units or workshop space near you and check what the lease and business rates would be
Line up a supply of used machines and parts from dealers, auctions or office clearances
Contact local offices and other repairers to offer repair, resale and maintenance work

Who pays

Local businesses, schools and other repairers who need work done, plus buyers or renters of refurbished machines.

How it makes money

Repair and labour charges, margin on refurbished machines, and ongoing income from rentals, toner supply and service contracts.

Skills that help

Strong mechanical and electrical repair skills
Sourcing and costing used machines
Basic bookkeeping and stock control
Selling to businesses

Watch out for

Public liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for stock and equipment
Electrical safety checks on machines you sell or lease, check what the rules expect of you
Waste electrical equipment and toner disposal rules, check with your council or the Environment Agency
Business rates, planning use and lease terms for the premises
Stock can sit unsold and tie up cash

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: copier repair and refurbishment workshop

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

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a copier repair workshop?

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the unit, tools and the used machines you buy. These are estimates, so cost your stock and premises before you commit.

How much can a copier repair and refurbishment business earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on repair work, machine sales and leasing. These are estimates, and unsold stock can tie up cash.

What should I check before refurbishing and selling copiers?

Check public liability and product liability insurance, and what the rules expect for electrical safety checks on machines you sell or lease. Also check waste electrical equipment and toner disposal rules with your council or the Environment Agency.