Mobile bike repair and tune-ups

Commuters, busy families, apartment residents, college students and offices that want bikes fixed without a trip to a shop.

Flat-rate tune-up packages and hourly labor, plus a markup on parts. Group visits at offices or apartment complexes help fill a day.

• Bike mechanics (brakes, gears, wheels)
• Diagnosing problems quickly
• Friendly customer service
• Scheduling and route planning

• General liability insurance, and check whether it covers work on customers' bikes
• Whether your city or county requires a business license or mobile vendor permit
• Parking rules where you work, such as apartment complexes, HOAs and street limits
• Sales tax registration for parts, as rules vary by state

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on whether you use a van, cargo trailer or cargo bike, and on your tools, parts stock and insurance. Your vehicle choice is likely to be the biggest factor.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many jobs you book, your prices and your service area. This is revenue before costs, and the estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check general liability insurance and whether it covers work on customers' bikes, whether your city or county requires a business license or mobile vendor permit, parking rules at apartments, HOAs and streets, and sales tax registration for parts in your state.