Custom covers and upholstery workshop
Make fitted covers, cushions and upholstered pieces to order for homes, cafes and boat or caravan owners.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small rented workshop making made-to-measure fabric items such as cushions, seat covers, outdoor furniture covers and simple upholstery for direct customers and trade clients.
Your first three steps
- Visit local interior designers, cafes and caravan or marine businesses to see what they outsource
- Price up a small unit and an industrial sewing machine, and compare fabric suppliers
- Make sample pieces for a portfolio and send quotes to your first trade contacts
Who pays
Homeowners, cafes and venues, caravan and boat owners, interior designers and furniture retailers.
How it makes money
Quote per job based on materials and labour, plus repeat trade work for designers and businesses at agreed rates.
Skills that help
- Industrial machine sewing and measuring
- Quoting jobs accurately
- Dealing with trade and retail clients
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance and cover for stock and equipment
- Fire safety rules for commercial fabrics, such as for venues, may apply, check with your local council
- Check zoning for your workshop with your local council
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, check your state scheme
- Measuring mistakes on expensive fabric can be costly, so confirm measurements before cutting
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: custom covers and upholstery workshop
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an upholstery and custom covers workshop?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the workshop you rent, the industrial machines and tools you need and your opening fabric stock. Get quotes for equipment before committing.
How much can a custom covers workshop make per month?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the jobs you take, your pricing and the mix of home and trade clients. Measuring mistakes on expensive fabric can be costly, so confirm measurements before cutting.
What rules should I check before opening an upholstery workshop?
Check zoning for your workshop with your local council, and whether fire safety rules for commercial fabrics apply to venue work. Also check public liability and stock and equipment insurance, and workers compensation under your state scheme once you hire staff.
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