Air compressor repair workshop

Workshops, contractors, tire and auto shops, and hobbyists who bring in units, plus businesses that want a local repair option.

Labor charged per job or hour, parts markup, and some profit from reselling refurbished compressors. Pickup and delivery can be an add-on fee.

• Mechanical rebuilding and testing
• Basic electrical work on motors and controls
• Sourcing parts and managing stock
• Pricing jobs accurately

• General liability insurance and property cover for customers' equipment while it's in your care
• Check zoning, your city or county business license and any rules on noise or oil and waste disposal
• Used oil and parts need proper disposal, so check local environmental rules
• Air tanks are pressure vessels, so check your state's rules on repairing them
• Register for sales tax with your state if you sell parts or refurbished units
• Rent and equipment are fixed costs, so you need steady work to cover them

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, based on our estimates, depending on your unit, equipment and parts stock. Rent and equipment are fixed costs, so you need steady work to cover them.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much repair work you win and whether you refurbish used units to resell. Treat these as estimates, not guarantees.

Check zoning, your city or county business license, and any rules on noise, oil and waste disposal. Air tanks are pressure vessels, so check your state's repair rules. Also check sales tax registration and insurance for customers' equipment.