How to Start a Computer Repair Business

Before starting a computer repair business, you need to decide on a few key points:

• Size of the business: Will it just be you, or will you want to hire an assistant or other staff?
• Services offered: Will you perform remote diagnostics, software fixes, hardware repairs, or a mix of services?
• Primary purpose: Will you be mainly focusing on repairing computer damage, optimizing systems, or performing upgrades?
• Where you will work: Will you open your own shop to do computer repairs, start a mobile computer repair business and travel to customers, or only provide remote/virtual services?
• Devices serviced: Will you exclusively repair Windows or Mac computers?

Making these decisions right now will give you a better idea of what you’ll need to get set up and how much it will cost you to start your computer repair business.

Once you know what type of computer repair business you want to start, the first thing you should do is calculate how much it’ll cost you to get things up and running. There are various expenses you need to account for. The table below gives a rough estimate for the cost of starting a computer repair business.

Cost of Starting a Computer Repair Business

The list above isn’t exhaustive. You may need additional equipment, depending on what services you offer. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you’ll need to continually update your equipment and order in new parts when necessary.

Your next step is to create a solid business plan that details the following points:

• Realistic goals: You need to set goals for your computer repair business. This can be something like a minimum number of customers in your first month or a realistic earnings goal for your first year.
• Projected expenses: Detail your projected startup costs and initial expenses for your computer repair business.
• Marketing strategy: You need to plan your marketing strategy and set a budget for promotions and advertising.
• Equipment: List all the equipment and tools necessary for your computer repair side hustle.
• Legal requirements: Determine any legal requirements for providing computer repair services (e.g., business registration).

Having a plan for your computer repair business will help you get an idea of what to expect during your first year of operation and beyond as well as spot any potential pitfalls ahead of time.

Once you’ve created your business plan and calculated your startup costs, you’ll need to start saving money or secure the necessary funding through other means. If you don’t have a lot of capital right now, you could take out a business loan.

There are a few different places you can go to get funding for your business:

• Banks
• Small Business Administration
• Credit unions
• Friends or family

A well-crafted business plan is essential to get investors on your side and demonstrate why your business is a worthwhile investment.

Some states require you to get a license to operate a business providing professional computer repairs. It’s important to check your local requirements for computer repair businesses to avoid breaking the law and getting shut down.

In California, for example, you’ll need to be licensed by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) as an electronic service dealer. The cost of registering a business varies from state to state, ranging from a couple of dollars to hundreds of dollars.

While not essential, registering your computer repair business as a limited liability company (LLC) is a smart move to separate your business liability from your personal liability.

You’ll also need to set up a business bank account, ideally with credit card payment processing, so that customers can pay you. Your bank can assist you with setting up your account.

Bookkeeping software is also worth getting to help track your business expenses. There are plenty of free or low-cost software programs available, but QuickBooks is probably the most popular among small businesses.

Business insurance is essential for any computer repair business. Remember that you’ll be dealing with expensive equipment, and if anything goes wrong, you’ll be liable to pay the costs. Insurance can help protect you financially if incidents arise.

There are a few types of coverage you’ll want to consider:

• General liability: Covers you if a customer gets injured in your computer repair shop of if you accidentally damage their electronics.
• Business property: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your own tools and equipment.
• Professional liability (errors and omissions): Protects you if a customer sues you for damages or losses due to poor service or mistakes on your part.

Getting a business owner’s policy (BOP) is a good idea. This is a type of policy that bundles together all the main types of coverage you’d need for your business. Rates vary for policies, but you can expect to spend anywhere in the range of $40–$80 per month.

Now that you’ve set everything up, it’s time to begin looking for clients by effectively marketing your computer repair business, taking advantage of both digital and physical strategies. You should explore the following marketing methods:

• Business pages: To ensure that your company comes up when potential customers search “computer repair shops near me,” consider creating a Google Business page and a Yelp page.
• Targeted ads: Use targeted ads, such as Google Ads, to show your business to potential customers in your local area.
• Social media: Post on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to let customers know about your brand.
• Lead generation sites: If your budget allows, you could pay to have your business listed on sites like Thumbtack or Bark.com to connect with potential leads.
• Physical advertising: Create flyers and post them in your local area. Professional business cards are also a great idea.
• Business website: Build a professional website with a contact form that customers can use to request a quote or services. You can build a website for free using platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace.

Positive reviews are one of the biggest drivers for new business. So the important thing is providing excellent service and support to your first few customers, and you should find your business marketing itself over time.

Consider incentives or promotions

When starting out, consider running promotions to attract new customers. This could include a referral program, where customers get incentives to refer their friends and family to you. You could also offer discounted services, such as a free or discounted diagnostic consultations for new customers.