Custom Copper Fabrication and Repair Workshop

Craft breweries and distilleries, restaurants and cafes, builders, architects, heritage property owners and homeowners wanting custom work.

Quoted price per job based on materials and your hours, plus smaller repair and restoration jobs that keep the workshop busy between larger orders.

• Metal forming, soldering and welding
• Reading drawings and measuring accurately
• Quoting jobs and managing customers

• Public liability and product liability insurance, especially for vessels that hold liquids or heat
• Making a part is different from installing it: gas, water and roof plumbing installation usually needs a state-licensed tradesperson, so check your state's licensing body
• Distilling equipment may be covered by excise and local rules, check with the Australian Taxation Office and your state authority before taking on that work
• Council zoning and noise rules for the workshop, plus fire safety and fume extraction
• Copper prices can change, so check your quotes stay valid and build in a margin

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the workshop space, your forming and welding equipment, and the type of copper work you take on.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the jobs you win and your pricing. Check your quotes stay valid, as copper prices can change, and build in a margin.

Check public liability and product liability cover, especially for vessels holding liquids or heat. Installing gas, water or roof plumbing usually needs a state-licensed tradesperson, and distilling equipment may involve excise rules, so check with the Australian Taxation Office and your state authority.