Right to Repair: Opportunities for Skilled Trades Businesses
The right to repair is changing the market: what workshops should review now and which opportunities it creates for skilled trades businesses.
The right to repair has applied in Germany since July 31, 2026. The key point for skilled trades business owners is this: repair businesses are not required to accept orders, but they can save time and earn money by aligning their services early with the expected rise in demand. Opportunities may arise particularly through partnerships with manufacturers and planned intermediary platforms.
Right to Repair: Who Is Affected?
The new right has different consequences for sellers, manufacturers, and workshops. Businesses should distinguish clearly between these roles. A company that sells or manufactures products is affected differently from one that provides repair services exclusively.
The situation is clear for businesses that only perform repairs: they are not subject to a separate repair obligation. A workshop therefore does not have to accept every appliance or order solely because of the new regulation. This matters for operational planning because capacity, qualifications, and profitability remain decisive criteria when accepting orders.
At the same time, repairs are likely to become more important to customers. If more products are repaired rather than replaced, demand for suitable specialist businesses could increase. This does not guarantee workshops additional revenue, but it does present a tangible market opportunity.
This assessment is based on the German-language article “Was das neue Recht auf Reparatur bedeutet” published by Deutsche Handwerks Zeitung.
New Ways to Win Repair Orders
One possible route is through manufacturers. Repair businesses can act as service partners and become part of an organized repair service. This could develop into an additional sales channel for businesses.
Whether such a partnership makes sense depends on the terms of the specific arrangement. Before agreeing, business owners should therefore check which services are expected, which appliances or product groups are covered, and whether the planned procedures fit their operations. Realistic costing is particularly important. Guidance is available in the article Calculating Your Charge-Out Rate: Step by Step to Your Own Figure.
Planned intermediary platforms could also generate new customer contacts. To benefit from them, a business must describe its services clearly: Which repairs does the workshop handle? Which area does it serve? How can customers submit an inquiry? The article Google Business Profile for Skilled Trades Businesses provides guidance on online visibility.
What Does This Mean for Skilled Trades Business Owners?
For workshops, the right to repair primarily creates a business opportunity. Businesses do not have to take action, but they should not wait unprepared for a potential rise in demand.
The first step is to review existing capabilities. Which repairs can the team already perform? Which orders are commercially worthwhile? Where are experience, equipment, or suitable processes still lacking? The answers can be used to develop a clearly defined service offering.
The second step is to review internal processes. Additional inquiries only help if intake, scheduling, processing, and customer communication work properly. Reliable time tracking also supports post-calculation. The article Time Tracking in the Skilled Trades: Which Obligations Apply Today explains the general requirements that must be observed.
Finally, businesses should document their decisions clearly. This includes, for example, the selection of accepted repairs, internal responsibilities, and the process from initial customer contact through to return. Structured documentation simplifies onboarding and ensures consistent working practices. Further guidance is available in the article GoBD Process Documentation: What It Should and Should Not Contain.
Recommended Actions: The Practical Check
Use this four-point checklist to prepare:
Define your service offering: Specify which products and types of repairs the business can handle reliably.
Check profitability: Calculate labor time and operating costs before offering new services or partnerships.
Explore partnerships: Ask suitable manufacturers about opportunities to work as a service partner.
Prepare your visibility: Write a clear service description for your website, business profiles, and future intermediary platforms.
Right to Repair FAQ
Do skilled trades businesses now have to accept every repair?
No. Based on the available information, repair businesses are not subject to a separate obligation. They can continue to decide which orders match their capacity and services.
How can workshops benefit from the new right?
Potential opportunities include growing demand, working as a service partner for manufacturers, and gaining new customer contacts through planned intermediary platforms.
What is the most sensible first step?
Start by reviewing which repairs your business can offer professionally and profitably. You can then establish suitable processes, partnerships, and communication channels.
Frequently asked questions
No. Based on the available information, repair businesses are not subject to a separate obligation.
They can work as service partners for manufacturers, attract customers through planned intermediary platforms, and benefit from growing demand for repairs.
They should review their repair services, approach potential manufacturing partners, and prepare their processes for additional inquiries.