Home sewing machine servicing and resale

Home sewers, quilters, dressmakers, crafters, and local sewing groups or schools with machines that need servicing.

Flat fee per service or repair job, plus parts, and profit from selling refurbished machines you buy cheaply at estate sales or thrift stores.

• Mechanical aptitude and patience
• Basic sewing knowledge to test machines
• Clear communication with customers

• Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit, and review any HOA or lease rules
• General liability insurance, and cover for customers' machines while they are in your care
• Check your state's sales tax rules for selling refurbished machines and parts
• Parts availability for older or newer computerized machines, and don't promise repairs you can't do
• Proper disposal of used oils and cleaning solvents, check local rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your tools, parts stock, workshop setup, insurance and any machines you buy to refurbish and resell.

Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit, and review any HOA or lease rules. Also check general liability insurance with cover for customers' machines, your state's sales tax rules for refurbished machines and parts, and local rules on disposing of used oils and solvents.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many machines you service and sell. Estimates start from about 10 hours a week. Avoid promising repairs you can't do, especially on computerized machines.