Home-based watch repairer

Local people with watches that need fixing, plus jewellers and gift shops that outsource repairs.

A fixed price per job, such as a battery change or a full service, with higher fees for complex mechanical work. Trade work from jewellers can bring repeat jobs.

• Steady hands and patience
• Fine detail work
• Honest quoting and good record keeping

• Insurance that covers customers' watches while in your care, such as bailee or care, custody and control cover, plus public liability
• Valuable or sentimental watches can be costly if damaged, so agree what you will and will not work on
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to home working
• Keep clear job records and give written receipts for items left with you
• Branded luxury watches may need specialist parts and tools that are not easy to get

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on the quality of your tools and workbench and the range of repairs you plan to offer. Branded luxury watches may need specialist parts and tools.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your prices, the types of repair and how much work comes from customers and local jewellers. The estimates assume at least around 8 hours a week.

Check you have insurance covering customers' watches while in your care, such as bailee cover, plus public liability. Agree which watches you will and will not work on, keep clear job records and receipts, and check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree.