Architectural salvage yard or shop

Home renovators, builders, interior designers, stylists, cafe and bar fitout teams and collectors of period features.

You buy or collect items cheaply, clean or restore them, and sell at a markup. Bigger pieces sell for more, and you can add delivery or a small restoration service.

• An eye for period styles and quality
• Basic restoration and handling heavy items
• Pricing and negotiating with sellers and buyers

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock and your premises
• Check zoning and council approval for retail or yard use at your site
• Older items may contain asbestos or lead paint, check your state's rules on handling, storing and selling them
• Heavy lifting risks, plan safe handling and storage
• Make sure you have the right to sell items you take on, keep records of where stock came from

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your site, the stock you buy and how much fit-out or storage you need. These are estimates only, so build your own budget from real quotes.

Check zoning and council approval for retail or yard use at your site, and look at public liability insurance plus cover for stock and premises. Older items may contain asbestos or lead paint, so check your state's rules on handling, storing and selling them.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your stock, location and pricing. That is an estimate of revenue, not profit. Running a yard typically takes at least around 30 hours a week.