Mobile scale repair and servicing

Butchers, bakeries, delis, greengrocers, market traders, farm shops, warehouses and small manufacturers that rely on accurate scales.

Call-out and labour charges for repairs, plus parts. Annual service contracts give repeat income. Many customers pay for a routine check rather than waiting for a breakdown.

• Practical electronics and mechanical repair
• Careful, methodical testing
• Reliable and good with customers

• Scales used for trade have legal accuracy requirements, so check with Trading Standards and the National Measurement Office what you may and may not sign off
• Check whether customers need certificates from a UKAS accredited laboratory rather than your own, and be clear about what you offer
• Public liability insurance, and professional indemnity cover if you issue test records
• Test weights need to be kept in good condition and checked regularly, so budget for that
• Van costs and a spread-out customer base can eat into your profit, so plan tight routes

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your van, tools, parts and test weights. These are estimates, so budget for test weights, which need to be kept in good condition and checked regularly.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many customers you serve and the work you take on. These are estimates, and van costs and spread-out customers can eat into profit.

Scales used for trade have legal accuracy requirements, so check with Trading Standards and the National Measurement Office what you may sign off. Check whether customers need UKAS accredited certificates, and check public liability and professional indemnity cover.