Repairs and trades

Phone and electronics repairs

Replace screens, batteries and charging ports, and fix common phone and small-electronics faults from a counter, container or home.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

Startup costR2 000 to R10 000
First incomeabout 30 days
Price evidenceR1 100 to R1 900 / screen repair (incl. part)
Commercial viability55 / 100

See how this fits you

Who it suits

Patient, technical people with steady hands who have learnt repairs or are willing to train first.

The customer and the problem

Typical customer: Everyone with a cracked screen or tired battery.

A working phone without buying a new one.

Is there demand?

Repair shops publish prices: a Samsung A14 screen at R1,199 with an aftermarket part or R1,899 genuine (Nextech Gadgets 2026). Parts are most of the price, so the labour share is what you earn.

Counter in a shop or container
Collection from customers
Fixing for spaza and phone shops

Getting customers

A visible spot, honest quotes and a warranty on your work.

Relies on: Word of mouth and referrals, Responding to enquiries, Partnerships with other businesses.

Money

Revenue model: Labour plus a mark-up on parts.
Price evidence: Published 2026 prices: Samsung A14 screen R1,199 aftermarket to R1,899 genuine, including the part (Nextech Gadgets). Your earnings are the labour share, so we do not model monthly income.
Gross margin: Depends on parts quality and pricing.
Payment costs: Deposit for parts, balance on collection.
Operating costs: Parts, tools, rent.
Recurring costs: Parts, tools, a work mat, transport to suppliers.

Time to first income

Training and buying tools come first.

Competition, risks and scale

High in busy areas.

Damaging a phone further: practise on old phones first
Customer data: never look at it; ask for passcodes only when needed
Buying stolen phones or parts: check IMEI and proof of ownership

Room to grow: Grows with a busy spot and trained helpers.

Legal and tax in South Africa

The Consumer Protection Act gives a three-month warranty on repairs and parts.
Never buy phones without proof of ownership.
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

How it fits South Africa: Strong in townships and towns.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start phone and electronics repairs in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R2 000 to R10 000. Recurring costs: Parts, tools, a work mat, transport to suppliers.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Training and buying tools come first.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

The Consumer Protection Act gives a three-month warranty on repairs and parts. Never buy phones without proof of ownership. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Free tools for this

Test phone and electronics repairs with your own numbers Work out the rate you need to charge Estimate the tax on this side income