Custom joinery from a home workshop
Build and fit made-to-measure timber doors, shelving and built-in furniture from a garage or backyard workshop.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Making bespoke timber items such as internal doors, built-in shelves, window frames and small staircases parts in a home workshop, then delivering and fitting them on site.
Your first three steps
- Check with your local council whether you can run a home-based workshop, including noise and dust limits
- Price up a small set of machines and a timber supplier account, then work out your hourly rate and materials markup
- Make two or three sample pieces and show them to local builders and renovators
Who pays
Homeowners, renovators, small builders and interior designers who need custom pieces that stock items can't match.
How it makes money
Quoted price per job covering materials, your time and fitting. Repeat work from builders and referrals helps keep the workshop busy.
Skills that help
- Trade qualification or solid carpentry experience
- Accurate measuring and quoting
- Using saws, routers and other workshop machinery safely
Watch out for
- Check your state's licensing body: many states require a contractor or builder licence above certain job values for fitting work
- Public liability insurance and, once you hire, workers compensation insurance
- Council approval and neighbour issues for noise, dust and deliveries
- Workshop safety: dust extraction, machine guarding and fire risk
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: custom joinery from a home 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 a home joinery business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the machinery and tools you already own, workshop setup and materials. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on the jobs you win.
Do I need a licence to do custom joinery from home in Australia?
Check your state's licensing body, as many states require a contractor or builder licence above certain job values for fitting work. Also check insurance, council approval and neighbour issues around noise, dust and deliveries.
What skills and workshop safety should I plan for in joinery?
Useful skills include a trade qualification or solid carpentry experience, accurate measuring and quoting, and safe use of saws, routers and other machinery. Plan for dust extraction, machine guarding and fire risk. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week.
Other ways to run this business
Mobile joiner for doors, windows and fit-outs
Fit, repair and adjust doors, windows and timber fittings at customers' homes from a ute or van.
- A$3k-15k
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Rent a small industrial unit to make doors, windows and staircases for local builders and homeowners.
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- Own premises
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