How to start a small GSM repair service

The big picture – 6 key steps

Instead of thinking “I must open a full shop”, break it down into smaller, realistic steps.

Step 1

Decide what you will (and won’t) repair

Start with a limited list of repairs you feel confident with: screens, batteries, charging ports and simple issues.

Step 2

Set up a safe workspace

A clean table, proper lighting, ESD protection and basic organisation are more important than fancy decorations.

Step 3

Prepare tools & basic stock

Have core tools ready and keep a small stock of common parts, or clear agreements with distributors and delivery times.

Step 4

Think about legal & basic paperwork

Check what is required in your country: registration, invoices, simple repair terms and basic data protection rules.

Step 5

Set your prices and warranty policy

Decide how you calculate prices, what warranty you offer on parts and labour and how you handle difficult cases.

Step 6

Find your first clients

Start small: family, friends, colleagues, local groups and nearby businesses. Focus on trust, not aggressive marketing.

Choose your starting services

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is trying to offer everything from day one. It’s safer and more profitable to start focused.

For example, you could start with:

Screen replacements for popular models.
Battery replacements for phones older than 2–3 years.
Charging port repairs or replacements.
Basic diagnostics and software resets.

Write down exactly what you offer and what you do not offer yet (for example: no complex board-level repairs, no data recovery for now). This protects you and sets clear expectations for clients.

Define your “profile” as a small service

Even if you work from home or from a small room, it helps to think of your service as a brand:

What type of clients do you want? Students, families, small businesses?
Do you focus on fast repairs, low prices or high quality?
Do you specialise in certain brands (Apple, Samsung) or “all brands”?

You can adjust this later, but having a simple profile makes it easier to communicate who you are and what you do.

Set up a minimum viable workspace

Your first workspace does not have to be a beautiful shop. It needs to be:

Clean and free of food/drinks on the same table.
Well lit, ideally with adjustable white light.
Organised – boxes or organizers for screws and small parts.
Protected – ESD mat and wrist strap if possible.

If you work from home, separate your “repair zone” from personal space as much as possible. That helps with discipline and with client confidence.

Keep track of devices and parts

Losing a screw is annoying. Losing a client’s phone or confusing parts from two devices is a disaster.

Use small trays or boxes per device, labeled with the client’s name.
Write basic intake notes: device model, IMEI, visible damage.
Use simple bags or envelopes for returned old parts.
Take quick photos when you receive heavily damaged devices.

Later you can use digital tools, but for the beginning a pen, paper and a simple spreadsheet are enough.

Legal & basic paperwork (general principles)

Every country has different formal requirements (registration, taxes, invoicing). This page cannot replace legal advice, but you should:

Check how small services and freelancers are registered in your country.
Keep a basic record of income and expenses from the beginning.
Issue simple invoices or receipts where required.
Store client data safely and only as long as needed.

When in doubt, talk to an accountant or small business advisor in your area. It is easier to start correctly than to fix problems later.

Use simple written terms

Even a one-person service benefits from a short, readable repair policy:

What warranty do you offer on parts and labour?
What happens if the device has previous hidden damage?
What happens if data is lost during repair?
How long do you store uncollected devices?

You can start with a simple one-page document that clients sign or confirm by message. Later, TargetGSM will provide downloadable templates you can adapt.

How to think about pricing

Many beginners underprice their work because they only think about the cost of parts. You also need to include:

Your time (including communication, ordering parts, testing).
Risk (some repairs fail or take longer).
Tools, rent, electricity and other overheads.

You don’t need a complex spreadsheet from day one, but you should know: for a typical repair, how much is:

Parts cost?
Time investment?
Desired minimum profit?

Later you can use the pricing calculator on TargetGSM to test different scenarios.

Warranty and difficult cases

A clear warranty policy builds trust but also protects you:

Specify how many months of warranty you offer on a repair.
Clarify what is covered (part defects, your workmanship).
Explain what is not covered (new physical damage, water damage).
Decide how you handle “borderline” cases – partial discounts, re-do, etc.

Write it down and use the same rules for everyone – it will save you a lot of stress and arguments later.

Where to find your first clients

At the beginning, your goal is not to “go viral”. Your goal is to get a small, steady flow of real devices to work on.

Family, friends and colleagues – but still treat them as clients.
Local Facebook groups or community boards.
Small businesses in your area (shops, hair salons, small offices).
Students or workers with long commutes who rely on their phones daily.

Offer fair prices and clear communication, not huge discounts. You want people to come back because they trust you, not because you are the cheapest.

Build trust with simple habits

Often clients cannot judge your technical level, but they can see if you are:

Respectful with their time (clear repair times, updates if delayed).
Honest when something goes wrong.
Careful with their data and privacy.
Consistent with your promises and prices.

These “boring” habits are what build strong word-of-mouth over time.

Next steps for your future service

If you want to move from idea to action, use these resources to structure your first months as a small GSM repair service.