Printer repair bench from a home workshop

Small offices, home-office workers, local IT support firms and office suppliers who want to outsource repairs.

Flat diagnostic fee plus repair price, parts markup, and profit from selling refurbished machines. Subcontracting for IT firms can bring repeat work.

• Electronics and mechanical repair
• Patience with diagnosing faults
• Basic bookkeeping and parts sourcing
• Customer communication

• Check HOA, lease or zoning rules and whether you need a home occupation permit before taking customer drop-offs
• General liability insurance and cover for customers' equipment while it is in your care
• Check your state's rules on collecting sales tax on parts and resold machines
• Safe storage and disposal of toner, batteries and e-waste, and check local rules for recycling
• Wipe or secure any stored data on devices before returning them

Startup costs are typically estimated around $800 to $4,000, depending on your tools, test equipment, parts stock and insurance. Working from a garage or workshop you already have can help keep costs toward the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many repairs you take, whether you resell refurbished units and your hours. Parts costs and time spent diagnosing faults affect what you keep.

Check HOA, lease or zoning rules and whether you need a home occupation permit before taking customer drop-offs. Also check insurance covering customers' equipment, state sales tax rules, local e-waste recycling rules, and how you will wipe stored data.