Copier repair and refurbishing workshop
Repair machines in a small workshop, and refurbish used copiers to resell or service for local customers.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
NAICS 811212 “Computer and office machine repair and maintenance”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small unit or garage workshop where you fix machines that customers or other businesses bring in, and also refurbish used copiers to resell or lease. You may still make occasional on-site visits for larger machines.
Your first three steps
- Rent a small unit or set aside a garage space, and check zoning, lease and home occupation rules before you start
- Find sources for used machines and spare parts, such as dealer trade-ins, office clearances and parts suppliers
- Refurbish two or three machines, list them locally and online, and offer a service contract with each sale
Who pays
Small businesses, schools and nonprofits, plus other copier dealers or IT firms that need a repair partner.
How it makes money
Repair fees plus parts, sales of refurbished machines, and service contracts attached to each machine you place.
Skills that help
- Mechanical and electrical repair
- Testing and refurbishing equipment
- Sourcing parts and used machines
- Basic bookkeeping and pricing
Watch out for
- General liability and property insurance covering stock and equipment
- Zoning, home occupation permit or lease limits if you work from a garage or home
- Sales tax registration with your state if you sell refurbished machines
- Wiping stored data from used machines before reselling them
- Disposal rules for toner, drums and electronic waste, check with your county or state
- Tying up money in stock that may not sell quickly
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: copier repair and refurbishing workshop
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a copier repair workshop?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your workspace, tools, insurance and how many used machines you buy to refurbish. These are estimates. Stock can tie up money if it does not sell quickly.
How much can a copier refurbishing business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on repair volume, how many refurbished machines you sell or lease, and your pricing. The estimates start from about 20 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a copier workshop?
Check insurance covering stock and equipment, plus zoning, home occupation permits or lease limits if you work from a garage. Also check sales tax registration, wiping stored data before resale, and county or state disposal rules for toner, drums and e-waste.
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