starting a repair shop

[QuickfiX]

hello. i am stuck in a situation where i have skill's, but no way of putting them to "use", i can fix a variety of items, from washers n dryer's to tv's.... i just cant think of how to start and where to go to on a official route, or if its legal to fix from a office online, have items delivered get paid and send back to customer, thank you in advance,

 

[StevensOnln1]

Of course it's legal to have items delivered for you to fix and then send back to the customer. Whether it's practical/cost effective or if people would be willing to send large electrical items to someone they've never met, who has no trading history or reputation is a probably a more important question.

Do you have space at home or somewhere else that you could use as a workshop? You could start out small by advertising your services locally and offer to collect/return items you've repaired assuming you have a car or van.

 

[fisicx]

This is only really going to work as a local business and even then if you collect and deliver and then install.

If my washing machine is broken I want you to take it away, fix it and put it back to show me it now works.

If you want to advertise your business, nextdoor is a great place to get known locally.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

In these difficult financial times, product repairs traditionally increase (as does 'down-branding') so this is as good a time to start a repair business, but with the width of brands and technologies, being a jack of all trades can be difficult.

As suggested, keeping it local is a great idea and you can also add local FB groups to the list of ways to promote.

 

[MBE2017]

Most people if they have a broken down washing machine would want an engineer out to fix it in situ, saves taking it away and returning it, job done in front of the client, fast, cheap and easy.

Some items you might need to take away, but only speaking from personal experience, whilst I have paid to get a washing machine repaired, other items, such as tv’s, microwave, freezer etc, I simply buy another one.

 

[Financial-Modeller]

^^^ this.

If my washine machine stops working, I want you to come and fix it. If I have to carry it around, I'm more incentivised to just buy a new one.

However, the last time my washing machine broke down, the engineer told me that it needed an electrical component (motherboard/CPU) that would cost more than a new washing machine and advised simply to buy a new one from John Lewis, who would supply, instal and take away the old one.

 

[IanSuth]

^^^ this.

If my washine machine stops working, I want you to come and fix it. If I have to carry it around, I'm more incentivised to just buy a new one.

However, the last time my washing machine broke down, the engineer told me that it needed an electrical component (motherboard/CPU) that would cost more than a new washing machine and advised simply to buy a new one from John Lewis, who would supply, instal and take away the old one.

My dad was a Hoover engineer for years then worked for the local Euronics centre for a decade more.

Basically if it is an electrical timer/programmer (as opposed to clockwork) that goes bin it, but otherwise machines are simple and pretty cheap to mend.

Basically they are a metal box containing a motor, belt and drum (yes i know some are direct drive), most issues are a dead pump (blame a bit of lego), a split/blocked hose, belt or drum bearing.

A lot of the "brands" are actually the same machines with different clothes on Hoover/Candy Hotpoint/indesit/creda and some of the component parts are even more cross platform so it isnt that bad.

Bigger thing will be your back dragging them out from under all those worktops - invest i some of the little teflon disks you slide under the feet to make movement easier

 

[The Byre]

To the OP - approach the repair insurance companies. They always need repair guys. The gig is to go to people's homes and fix stuff on-site. No schlepping the machine away. As stated, washing, dishwashing, cookers, etc., are all bog-simple to fix.

Stay away from Repair Care - they take months to pay and are struggling with cash flow problems. The rest pay very promptly!

 

[pcproblems]

I used to run a small computer repair business from home so I suppos it's similar in some ways. I found that it could be quite stressful to try and carry out a repair if the customer was standing over you, as some do.

I appreciate that taking a washing machine home isn't practical but for smaller items it may be. There's also the issue of spare parts. I carried some of the basics but many were particular to a certain model, such as laptop screens.

I'd have to order them in and it could take a day or so, depending on whether it was a weekend.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do