Lamp repair and restoration studio
Run a small workshop or shopfront restoring lamps for antique dealers, shops and households.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small rented workshop or a booth in an antiques centre where you rewire, repair and restore decorative lamps, and refit shades. You can also take trade work from dealers.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state electrical licensing body whether you need a licence or a licensed electrician on staff, and what testing is expected for trade work
- Visit local antique dealers and homeware shops to learn what they need fixed and what turnaround and prices they expect
- Find a small unit or antiques centre space, then price up tools, parts stock and insurance before you commit to a lease
Who pays
Antique and vintage dealers, interior decorators, lighting and homeware shops, and households with valued lamps.
How it makes money
Repair and restoration fees, parts, and regular trade work from dealers. Some owners also sell restored lamps or new shades.
Skills that help
- Restoration and finishing skills
- Good knowledge of electrical safety and lamp construction
- Building trade relationships and managing job turnaround
Watch out for
- State or territory electrical licensing, which may apply to rewiring work
- Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation if you hire
- Lease terms and council zoning for a workshop
- Rules about selling restored second-hand electrical items, so check the electrical safety requirements
- Handling fragile or valuable antiques, with clear written agreements about damage and value
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: lamp repair and restoration studio
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 lamp restoration business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on whether you rent a workshop or an antiques centre booth, and on your tools and parts. Lease terms and council zoning are worth checking before you commit.
How much can a lamp repair and restoration studio earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how much trade work you win from dealers and how many household jobs you take. The estimates start from about 25 hours a week.
What rules apply to lamp repair and restoration in Australia?
Check whether state or territory electrical licensing applies to rewiring work, and the electrical safety requirements for selling restored second-hand items. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, lease and zoning terms, and workers compensation if you hire.
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