Repairing Broken Electronics: A Side Hustle for Technicians
Have a passion for repairing broken electronic devices? Learn to turn it into a side hustle along with everything you need to know before starting.
- Repairing electronics is a lucrative side hustle for tech-savvy individuals with diagnostic skills.
- Earnings average around $22 per hour, with higher potential through fixing and reselling.
- Startup costs range from $300 to $1,000, covering tools, spare parts, and marketing.
- Gigs can be found on platforms like TaskRabbit, Handy, or through independent promotion online.
Brett Helling is a gig economy expert who has been running his own small business for over 10 years.
Are you good at repairing broken devices and working with diagnostic tools?
You can actually utilize such an underrated skill to break into the gig economy and create a side business.
Whether it’s repairing cracked screens or fixing smartphones, this guide will show you whether repairing broken electronics is a good side hustle for you.
An Overview of Repairing Broken Electronics: A Primer
The electronics repair industry can be a rewarding side hustle for tech-savvy people who know their way around circuit boards and diagnostic tools.
The rising cost of new electronics drives many people to look for repairmen to fix their existing products, which provides an excellent flow of work.
This gig can also take various forms. For instance, you can list your services and charge customers for repairs
Alternatively, you can try flipping electronics. This includes buying used, broken ones then fixing them and selling them at a profit.
To get started, you’ll typically need to invest in some basic tools and equipment necessary to get the job done.
How Much Can Repairing Broken Electronics Earn You?
Repairing broken items is a lucrative side gig. However, your earning potential can vary greatly depending on various aspects, such as:
- Your level of experience.
- The type of electronic products you repair and their complexity.
- The rates where you live.
According to ZipRecruiter, a full-time repair technician earns around $22 per hour. However, you can increase your earnings by buying broken or useless electronics for a low price.
This way, you can fix them, and post them on Craigslist for a profit.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Repairing Broken Electronics?
The costs of starting a broken electronics repair business can vary, as it depends on a few factors. These include:
- Whether you’re starting from a location or from home.
- Any educational courses you might take. Some might not need that to start or opt for online video tutorials for guidance.
- The cost of power tools and diagnostic equipment you need for the job, such as multimeters, soldering irons, and circuit testers.
- The type of devices you plan to repair. For example, you might need to have a supply of spare parts and components.
- The workspace/workbench you’re working from or if you have your own independent repair shop
- Extra funds for marketing your business, including sponsored ads, social media posts, etc.
If you want to start such a gig, you should expect it to cost you anywhere from $300 to $1,000. You might need to spend extra for niche repairs or to expand your business, but this should be enough to start most repairing businesses.
Where Can You Find Gigs Repairing Broken Electronics?
Since the demand is fairly high, you can find various gigs repairing broken electronics. Here’s a quick look at where you can find them.
Where to Independently Find Gigs Repairing Broken Electronics
Working independently in repairing electronics is quite common and can take various forms. The most common places to find gigs online marketplaces and local classifieds.
There, you can find people either selling broken electronics for cheap or looking for a skilled repairman to fix them.
You can also promote your services online through sponsored ads on social media.
You may also try establishing your own handyman business by opening your independent repair shop.
Independent work may require some extra effort to find gigs but it gives you more work flexibility and better control of your profit margin.
Gig Economy Companies That Offer Gigs Repairing Broken Electronics
There are plenty of platforms and companies that act as a hub connecting handymen and repairmen with clients.
Some of the most common platforms in this field include:
- Handy: Mostly for home cleaning but also has a home repair services section
- TaskRabbit: Has a dedicated section for electric repairs and services.
If you’re looking for a consistent flow of work and income, you should consider working as a repair technician for electronics manufacturers.
This is also ideal if you want to work full-time repairing electronics.
Why You Should Consider Repairing Broken Electronics As a Side Hustle
Repairing electronics as a side hustle comes with plenty of advantages. Here’s a quick look at some of the best ones.
- High Profitability: You can charge a significant markup on your services, especially if you specialize in repairing high-end and rare devices. This also applies to reselling fixed electronics.
- Flexible Work Hours: You can technically work at any time you prefer, which is ideal if you have a primary job.
- Skill Development: Fixing electronics is a remarkable skill for technicians and it can massively add to your knowledge and experience working with these tools.
Problems With Repairing Broken Electronics
Despite its merits, fixing broken electronics is not perfect, and you might still run into some issues. These include:
- Increasing Complexity: Newer electronics are becoming much harder to repair because they’re becoming more advanced.
- Limited Access to Parts: Many electronics companies monopolize the maintenance of their products by limiting the access to spare parts necessary for fixing their items.
- Damaging the Products: The worst-case scenario while trying to repair an item is to damage it. This depends on your experience but it’s also a possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Most Lucrative Electronic to Repair?
The most lucrative electronics to repair are the ones that are quite costly to fix at qualified service centers. This includes laptops, smartphones, game consoles, speakers, televisions, etc.
Alternatively, specializing in a niche product that doesn’t have an official servicing industry can also be quite profitable, such as vintage devices like record players and old consoles.
Is Electronics Repair Still in High Demand?
The short answer here is yes. According to recent data, the electronics repair business is consistently growing over the last few years. In fact, experts believe that the industry will hit around $241.79 billion by 2032.