Home bench video camera repair business

Freelance filmmakers, wedding videographers, schools and community groups, hobbyists, and people with older camcorders holding family footage.

A fixed diagnostic fee, then a quote for the repair covering parts and your labour. Servicing and cleaning jobs can be priced at a set rate.

• Electronics repair and soldering
• Patient fault finding
• Clear communication with customers
• Careful record keeping

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' equipment while it is in your care
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business at home
• Parts supply for older models can be hard, so be clear about what you cannot fix
• Carry out repairs safely: some devices hold stored charge, and batteries need careful handling and storage
• Check your terms for the law around repairs, returns and warranties, and what happens to unclaimed items
• Back up or protect customer data and footage, and tell customers you cannot guarantee footage on damaged devices

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your tools, test equipment and parts stock. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many repairs you take on.

Check public liability insurance and cover for customers' equipment while it is in your care. Also check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business at home, and your terms for repairs, returns, warranties and unclaimed items.

Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. Useful skills include electronics repair and soldering, patient fault finding, clear communication with customers and careful record keeping. Parts for older models can be hard to find, so be clear about what you cannot fix.