A gadget repair shop fixes cellphones, tablets and laptops: broken screens, worn batteries, charging ports, water damage and software problems. Most start as a small stall in a mall tech area or a street-front shop near schools, with one skilled technician and the owner at the counter. The money is made on fast, honest diagnosis, parts bought at the right price, and warranties that bring customers back.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a gadget and cellphone repair shop in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a stall with 1 technician in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱262,100 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into repair tools (₱58,500), stall setup (₱64,000), opening stock (₱48,000), permits and deposits (₱46,000), launch (₱4,000) and working capital (₱41,600). Other ways to start: repair shop with accessories at ₱400,000–₱700,000 and repair center for laptops and phones at ₱1 million and up.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱41,600 a month; the biggest are technician (₱18,200), rent (₱12,000) and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG (₱2,550). Each repair job sold earns about ₱417 after its own costs, so the break-even is 3.4 repair jobs a day, and the startup capital comes back by month 11 if sales start slow and build up.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A gadget and cellphone repair shop also needs: NTC registration (ask first), personal data handling and e-waste disposal. Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • Mall tech areas where people already go for gadgets
  • Near schools and universities
  • Busy street fronts near terminals and markets
  • Near BPO offices and business districts

Mistakes to avoid

  • A customer's phone gets more damaged. Test and note every fault at intake, take photos, and have the customer sign the job order.
  • Poor-quality parts. Buy from suppliers with warranties, test parts before installing, and track returns by supplier.
  • Devices left unclaimed. Write a claim period on the job order, and message customers as soon as devices are ready.
  • Customer data is exposed. Never open photos or messages, ask for passwords only when needed, and keep devices locked away.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Cellphone Repair Shop · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.