Home-Based clock repair and restoration

Families with inherited clocks, antique dealers, estate sale sellers, collectors and interior decorators.

A quoted price per job, such as a cleaning and service, a part replacement or a full restoration. House calls for large floor clocks can carry an extra fee.

• Patience and steady hands
• Mechanical aptitude
• Careful record keeping and honest quotes

• Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit and whether your HOA or lease allows it
• Look into garage keepers or bailee-style insurance, since you hold customers' valuable items; also ask about general liability
• Write down each clock's condition when you receive it and get a signed work order to avoid disputes
• Check your state's rules on sales tax for parts and repair services

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your tools, workbench setup, parts stock and insurance. Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit and whether your HOA or lease allows it.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many clocks you service and the type of work involved. You can start from around 8 hours a week, working from a home workbench.

Look into garage keepers or bailee-style insurance, since you hold customers' valuable items, and ask about general liability. Record each clock's condition on arrival with a signed work order, and check your state's sales tax rules for parts and repair services.