Start Your Victoria Personal and Household Repair and Maintenance Business
This page gives you a clear, practical map to starting a Victoria-based repair and maintenance business. It outlines the six essential requirements, permits you’ll need, startup costs, and a realistic timeline so you can plan with confidence. Whether you’re fixing appliances, furniture, or electronics, you’ll find a straightforward guide for turning your expertise into a local service under NAICS 811490.
You’ll learn the six steps to launch: choose a business structure and register a BC name; register for GST/HST if needed; secure a City of Victoria business license (and a home-occupation permit if you’ll work from home); arrange WorkSafeBC coverage if you hire; buy essential insurance; and set up simple bookkeeping and banking. Expect typical startup costs in the range of a few hundred dollars for licenses, plus insurance ($400–$1,200/year) and basic tools ($500–$2,000). A realistic timeline is usually 4–8 weeks to be up and running once approvals come through.
Victoria’s steady home and small-business market, coupled with a straightforward local permitting process, makes it a strong place to launch. With the right plan, your 811490 repair and maintenance business can grow fast by serving neighbors and local businesses who value reliable, friendly service.
Requirements Overview
For a personal and household goods repair and maintenance business in Victoria, BC, the Business Number (BN) registration is foundational. The BN is your official government identifier for tax and reporting, and you generally cannot operate in a compliant way without one. You’ll use the BN to handle GST/HST (when required), payroll, and other government interactions, and it simplifies adding services or expanding later. Start by applying for your BN before you start taking on work.
Operational health and safety and permits: You’ll typically need a municipal Business Licence to operate from your location in Victoria. If you have employees or workers, WorkSafeBC coverage is mandatory to protect you and your team and to meet BC safety laws. Also consider whether you’ll use a trade name; if so, you’ll want to register your BC business name to avoid conflicts and ensure customers know who you are.
Registration and taxes: If you plan to use a business name, register BC Business Name Registration for a sole proprietorship or partnership. GST/HST registration applies if your sales cross the threshold or if you want to charge tax voluntarily. Payroll Deductions Registration is needed if you hire employees and need to remit payroll taxes. These registrations help you stay compliant and keep your books in order.
Next steps: Map out a simple compliance checklist and tackle each item one by one—BN, municipal licence, business name (if applicable), GST/HST and payroll registrations, and WorkSafeBC coverage. Reach out to the CRA, your city hall, and WorkSafeBC for quick guidance, or talk with a small business advisor to tailor these steps to your exact setup. You’ve got this.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a other personal and household goods repair and maintenance in Victoria:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Victoria. Apply to City of Victoria for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Victoria Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your other personal and household goods repair and maintenance:
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The ATTC provides qualifying Ontario employers with a refundable tax credit equal to 25% of eligible expenditures (30% for small businesses) incurred during the first 36 months of a qualifying apprenticeship, up to a maximum of $5,000 per qualifying apprentice per year. The credit applies only to apprenticeship programs that …
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