Refurbished appliances sold online

Budget-conscious households, students, private landlords and people furnishing a first home.

You sell each appliance for more than you paid for it plus parts and cleaning. Delivery, installation and a short warranty can add extra income.

• Basic appliance repair and testing
• Spotting good-value stock
• Clear photos and honest listings
• Customer service

• Electrical safety: check requirements for testing (such as PAT-style testing) and for selling second-hand electrical goods
• Gas appliances: cookers and boilers should only be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so check before selling any gas item
• Consumer rights: goods must be as described and you cannot exclude certain legal rights when selling to consumers
• Waste: check whether you need a waste carrier registration if you collect and dispose of unwanted appliances
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and checking whether you can run the business from home with your landlord or lender

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on the stock you buy, your tools and test equipment, and how you arrange storage and delivery. A garage or driveway can keep overheads low.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many appliances you sell, the prices you achieve and the hours you work. Spotting good-value stock is a key part of the job.

Check testing requirements for second-hand electrical goods, and that gas appliances are only worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Also check consumer rights, waste carrier registration if you collect old appliances, and insurance.