You’ve enjoyed repairing phones as a hobby for years and now you’re finally able to quit your day job. Starting a phone repair business can be tough, but if you have the right plan it can actually be quite doable.
There are many things you should take into account when starting a phone repair business including what kind of shop, how to build an inventory, whether to buy or lease a property, and more.
Phone Repair
A phone repair can be extremely costly, especially if the screen has shattered or the battery is dead. The best way to fix a phone without breaking your bank is understanding what to do. You will need a few different materials and tools, but this process is not difficult at all.
First, use a knife and cut the screen off the phone. This will release the screen for you to remove.
Next, disconnect the battery. The phone may have a removable battery and you might need to try a slightly different method for removing it (removing it from the back of course). Once this is done, place your phone in a bowl of rice. This will render away any moisture from inside the phone casing and prevent damage while trying to fix it in your home.
What Kind Of Shop?
You have a few options when it comes to where you set up shop. You can get a room in a shared workshop as described here , rent out space in an existing retail building, or open up shop in your own retail space.
Here is how each option stacks against the other:
In shared workshop: Limited branding and visibility of your repair business. Increased cost due to higher rent, shared resources, and lack of access to the public. Personal / hobbyist space: Best branding and visibility of your repair business. No cost for the actual space as you can use a free spot in your home or garage. Benefits of working in your own space include the freedom to change your business model according to need and desire. Limited access to shared resources, so you’ll have to purchase materials (tools) yourself.
Renting space: The best option for storing and displaying your phone repair tools and equipment.
Opening up shop: The best option for hiring employees, access to a large customer base and public visibility of repairs. The downsides are higher rent, higher cost of materials, lack of branding / visibility, limited access to shared resources, etc.
The best option is to go with renting space.
Building a Stockpile of Tools and Equipment
One of the biggest mistakes many new phone repair business owners make is not having enough tools and equipment in stock. You’ll be able to provide repairs when customers come to you, but they won’t want to wait until you have everything on hand.
There are two options if you decide to buy tools and equipment:
Buy pre-packaged starter kits: These kits usually come in a variety of configurations that include tools and parts for the most common cell phone problems, such as iphone screen replacement or broken Iphone camera.
How To Lose Money With Phone Repair.
Of course, it’s not tested by surprise on the head of a pin. You may need to smile and nod when it sends you in circles or thumps you with a price increase.
But here are some tips to help avoid major headaches down the line:
– Make sure your phone is fully up-to-date before it goes out for repair. That means activation dates and system updates have been made; security patches are appropriate for your device; and any older versions of software have been uninstalled.
– To avoid issues, it’s a good idea to test the phone on another network before sending it in.
– Always get a receipt for the repair. You’ll want this as proof of what was done to your device, and proof that you paid for it. If you’re concerned about your phone getting stolen or lost, you’ll also want this.
– Don’t hesitate to ask for different repairs if the choices seem too expensive or difficult; at least ask about the cost upfront. The repair business isn’t required to give you an estimate for any specific repair, but it must be able to tell you how much a repair will cost generally.
– If the phone is damaged because of liquid submersion or other environmental factors, chances are it won’t be covered by warranty. Even if moisture damage isn’t apparent, you may not have much luck getting the company to take on the cost.
– Ask about warranties and whether there are limits on the length or number of repairs that can be made. Some companies don’t offer warranties at all, while others insist on one year – but there’s no limit on how many times a device can be replaced or repaired.
– If your phone is going out of warranty, don’t expect the cost to be covered. In some cases, it will just be an extra charge to replace an out-of-warranty device.
– Beware of those that refuse to take responsibility for damage a repair might have caused, often telling you that the charge was your fault for having the phone out in the first place.
And remember that there are fees involved beyond the initial cost of repair: There may be fees associated with sending in a repair, as well as any replacements for home use or other service options. Some can add up to hundreds of dollars – so it’s important to understand how this will affect your bill if you need additional devices repaired.
