Home bench small appliance repair

Households that would rather repair than replace, people with pricey or sentimental appliances, and small offices or rental owners.

A flat diagnostic fee plus a repair price per job, with parts marked up slightly. Some jobs can be mailed in or handled by porch pickup.

• Basic electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
• Patience with small parts
• Clear quotes and honest advice on repair vs. replace

• General liability insurance, since a faulty repair could cause a fire or shock
• Whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit or business license, and any HOA or lease limits
• Check your state's rules on sales tax for parts and repair labor
• Many cheap appliances cost more to fix than to replace, so be upfront with customers
• Safe handling of electrical components, and unplug and test thoroughly before returning items

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools, test equipment and parts stock you buy. These are estimates, so begin with the basics and expand as you learn which repairs customers ask for most.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many repairs you take on and what you charge. Many cheap appliances cost more to fix than to replace, so be upfront with customers about that.

Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit or business license, plus any HOA or lease limits. Also ask about general liability insurance, your state's sales tax rules for parts and labor, and safe handling of electrical components.