Open a used appliance store with a repair bench

Budget-conscious households, renters, landlords, property managers and people furnishing a first home.

Margin on each appliance sold, plus delivery, installation and haul-away fees. A 30 to 90 day warranty and repair services can bring repeat customers.

• Appliance repair and diagnostics
• Retail pricing and inventory tracking
• Customer service
• Managing a small budget and cash flow

• Check your state's sales tax registration and resale rules, and any secondhand dealer licensing in your city or county
• Zoning and lease terms for storage, workshop use and delivery parking
• Refrigerant handling needs EPA-compliant practices and may need technician certification, so check before servicing sealed systems
• Responsible disposal of units you cannot sell, including rules for appliances with refrigerants
• General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire help
• Warranty promises, which can become costly if you do not test units properly

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your premises, showroom stock and workshop setup. Check zoning and lease terms for storage, workshop use and delivery parking before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on stock volume, location and whether you offer delivery. These are revenue estimates, not profit. Warranty promises can become costly if you do not test units properly.

Check your state's sales tax and resale rules, and any secondhand dealer licensing locally. Refrigerant handling needs EPA-compliant practices and may need technician certification. Also check insurance, including workers' compensation once you hire help.