How to Start a Phone Repair Business

The Tools, Tips, and Tricks You Need to Succeed

Photo by Joel Rohland on Unsplash

Note from the writer: This was a piece I put together as a lead magnet for a short-lived phone repair side project. — Ben

Section 1: The Tools

Like any repair business, you need the right tools for the job if you’re going to be successful with phone repair. Here’s a list of the essentials tools you’ll need to be an awesome phone repair specialist:

1. Bonafide Hardware Smart Phone Repair Toolkit
2. Bonafide Hardware JerryRigEverything Metal Pry Tool
3. Bonafide Hardware JerryRigEverything Green Pry Tool
4. Uxcell Antistatic Brushes
5. Uxcell Tweezers
6. Nubee Temperature Gun
7. Wagner HT1000 Heat Gun
8. IMAX LCD Screen Separator Machine
9. Swan 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
10. Nitrile Exam Gloves

These tools will run you an average of $175.

Section 2: Tips and Tricks

Want to know how the pros do it? Check out some tips and tricks to help you be the best phone repair specialist out there:

1. Use the /r/mobilerepair subreddit for questions and info.
2. Use the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel for teardown videos and repair tips.
3. Focus your advertising efforts on your local area (within 10 to 20 miles of where you live).
4. Make sure friends, family and customers help you out with word of mouth advertising.
5. Hand out business cards and/or fridge magnets.
6. Make sure you’re entered into the contacts of each phone you sell as “the phone repair guy/girl” (have the customer enter you into their contacts; DO NOT enter yourself into a customer’s contacts).
7. Purchase broken phones off of Craigslist or a similar service, repair them and then sell them for a profit.
8. When you’re starting out, just order parts as needed when you get customers (most customers don’t mind waiting a few days for parts to arrive).
9. Network with your local cell phone stores (most T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T stores don’t have in-house repair centers and can send customers your way if they don’t have phone insurance).
10. Provide a backup or contract transfer service for some additional cash.
11. Buy and sell screen protectors (with installation) for some additional cash.
12. Never throw away any parts that can be re-used (screens, speakers, earpieces, cameras, proximity sensors, etc.).
13. Be honest and trustworthy.
14. Be responsive and reachable.
15. Consider being mobile to avoid storefront rental fees and impress your customers.

Section 3: Need Advice?

It can be daunting starting out on your own in the field of phone repair. But fear not! Because you downloaded my ebook, you get access to me directly for tips, tricks, hints, and questions.