Mobile sewing machine repair service

Tailors and alteration shops, small clothing makers, upholstery workshops, schools and community sewing groups, and home sewers with heavy or inconvenient machines.

A service call fee plus a flat price per machine serviced, with parts added. Multi-machine visits to workshops and schools make the trip worthwhile, and some can become regular contracts.

• Mechanical repair on domestic and, ideally, industrial machines
• Diagnosing faults quickly on site
• Route and appointment planning
• Dealing professionally with business customers

• Check whether your city or county requires a local business license for mobile services
• Get general liability insurance, since you will be working at customers' premises
• Check your state's rules on sales tax for repair labor and parts
• Travel time can eat into earnings, so plan visits by area and set a minimum charge
• Some jobs will need the machine taken back to your bench, so have a space and a pickup process

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your tools, vehicle setup and parts stock. These are estimates, so get your own quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many visits you book. Travel time can eat into earnings, so planning visits by area and setting a minimum charge can help.

Things to check: whether your city or county requires a local business license for mobile services; general liability insurance, since you work at customers' premises; and your state's sales tax rules for repair labor and parts.