Mobile air compressor repair business

Auto repair shops, body shops, woodworking and metal shops, contractors, farms and small manufacturers that can't afford downtime.

An hourly labor rate or flat service call fee, plus a markup on parts. Recurring maintenance contracts give steady repeat income.

• Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
• Reading manuals and parts diagrams
• Customer service and clear quoting
• Safe handling of pressurized equipment

• General liability insurance, and check whether you need commercial auto cover for the work van
• Pressure vessels (air tanks) can be dangerous, so check your state's rules on tank inspection and repair
• Check with your city or county about a business license, and whether your state requires any contractor or trade license for this work
• Register for sales tax with your state if you sell parts, and check how repair labor is taxed
• Warranty work on branded compressors may require manufacturer authorization

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your work van, tools, parts inventory and insurance. The estimates assume at least about 15 hours of work a week.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many shops and workplaces you serve, the repairs you handle, and whether you also sell parts.

Check general liability and commercial auto insurance, your state's rules on air tank inspection and repair, and your city or county business license. Also check for any state contractor or trade license, sales tax on parts and labor, and manufacturer authorization for warranty work.