How to Start a Cell Phone Repair Business
Are you crazy about the latest smartphone tech and updates? Do you love fixing stuff? If this is you, it may be a good idea to venture into cell phone repair. But before you do, it is important to first understand the common challenges, startup costs and earning potential.
Business Overview
Cell phone repair businesses fix broken phones to save consumers the trouble of buying new ones. The most common repairs include: camera repair, headphone jack repair, battery repair, screen repair, etc. A repair business may go for a mobile model (especially if they don’t have enough money for rent) or a storefront.
Industry Summary
The cell phone repair industry has been growing rapidly. Many people now use smartphones and they are easily broken.
Industry Trends
With more people using smartphones, cases of broken screens and water damage are also increasing. The consumers need a repair person to help with issues like these. And as smartphones become even more popular, the demand for repair services will go up
Manufacturers seem to be making more durable phones now. And this may not be good news for repair techs. Also, some people prefer to just buy a new phone instead of repairing a broken one. However, high-end smartphones can be expensive and many people would rather repair than get a new one.
Who Will Be Your Target Market?
Your clients will be mostly smartphone owners. These are people who earn more, educated people and the younger population. But even people who don’t fall under these categories now own smartphones.
The bottom line is: your target market will be smartphone owners with damaged phones.
Expertise Required
Just as with any other business, there are certain skills that you will need to have.
Experience in cell phone repair: you should be able to replace broken parts, troubleshoot problems and repair various brands and models.
Customer service skills: if you can’t properly handle customers, your business will soon fail. Learn how to communicate and deal with different kinds of customers.
Business skills: you will be required to manage your inventory, set prices, market the business, etc.
Technology industry knowledge: the smartphone technology is evolving rapidly and it is important that you keep up.
Financial Overview
The startup costs are not that much. Here is a general breakdown of how much you will need:
- Articulating light ($100 – $250)
- Work desk ($200 – $400)
- Chairs ($40 – $80 for one chair)
- Tools ($50 -$100)
- Supplies and phone parts ($200 – $800)
- Inventory, such as cases and screen protectors to sell ($150 – $400)
- Working capital
How Much Will You Make?
This will depend on the age of the business, number of employees, services offered and the business size.
Steps to Starting Your Business
- Create your detailed business plan.
- Form a business entity (partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.).
- Choose your location.
- Apply for the necessary business permits and licenses.
- Look for financing.
- Start marketing your business early.
- Obtain insurance.
- Hire employees.
