Home-Based men's alterations and repairs

Men buying off-the-rack suits, wedding parties, office workers, and local menswear shops or dry cleaners that need an alterations partner.

A set price per alteration, such as hems, sleeve shortening or taking in a waist. Rush jobs and wedding party bookings add extra.

• Hand and machine sewing
• Fitting and marking garments
• Knowledge of suit construction
• Reliable turnaround times

• Check whether your city or county requires a business license or home occupation permit
• Check HOA or lease rules about clients visiting your home
• Ask an insurer about general liability and cover for customers' garments in your care
• Check with your state tax agency whether alterations are subject to sales tax
• Mistakes on expensive suits are costly, so practice and measure twice before cutting

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the equipment and supplies you already own and how you set up your fitting area at home.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many hours you work, your prices and how steady your client base is. These are estimates, not guarantees, and revenue is before costs.

Check whether your city or county requires a business license or home occupation permit, and review any HOA or lease rules about clients visiting. Also ask an insurer about liability cover and check with your state tax agency whether alterations are subject to sales tax.