Home workshop appliance repairer

Households who want to keep a good appliance going, plus landlords, small offices and local community groups.

A fixed diagnostic or call-out style fee plus labour and parts. Items like vacuum cleaners, coffee machines and mixers tend to be more worth repairing than very cheap gadgets.

• Basic electrical and mechanical fault-finding
• Patience and careful testing
• Clear, honest communication about what is worth repairing

• Mains electricity is dangerous, only take on repairs you are competent to do safely and test everything afterwards
• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need product liability cover for repaired items
• Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to run a workshop from home
• Rules on disposing of old electrical parts and waste, check whether you need waste carrier registration
• Customers' items may still be under warranty, and repairs could affect it, so be clear with them up front

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the tools, test equipment and spare parts you already own and how much stock you buy. Treat these as estimates and list your own kit before budgeting.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £1,500, depending on how many hours you work, the repairs you take on and your pricing. The estimate assumes from about 6 hours a week.

Mains electricity is dangerous, so only take repairs you are competent to do safely and test everything afterwards. Also check insurance, including public liability, permission from your landlord or lender, and waste rules for old electrical parts.