Office furniture supply and install

Small and medium businesses, medical and professional practices, schools, property managers and fit-out companies.

Margin on furniture supplied, plus charges for delivery, assembly and removal of old furniture. Repeat clients and fit-out partners bring steady work.

• Quoting and negotiating with business clients
• Practical assembly and handling heavy items
• Driving and scheduling deliveries

• Public liability insurance and cover for goods in transit
• Manual handling injuries, check your state's workplace safety rules and consider lifting aids
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire help, check your state scheme
• Payment terms from business clients, consider deposits on larger orders
• Building access, loading dock and site induction rules at client premises

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your vehicle, storage space and how much you buy up front. Insurance and lifting aids are also worth including in your budget.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many business clients you win and the size of each fit-out. That is revenue before costs, and the estimate assumes at least about 20 hours a week.

Check public liability insurance and cover for goods in transit, plus your state's workplace safety rules on manual handling. Also check workers compensation once you hire help, payment terms for business clients, and building access, loading dock and site induction rules.