Restore and resell pianos from home

Families, beginners and music students, schools and churches who want a good piano without paying new prices.

You earn the difference between what you pay for a piano plus parts and moving costs, and the price you sell the restored instrument for. Some jobs may also be paid restoration work.

• Woodworking and basic repair
• Spotting a worthwhile piano before buying
• Online listing and negotiating
• Patience and attention to detail

• Buying a piano that costs more to fix than it will sell for, so check condition carefully first
• Check council rules on running a home-based business, including noise and customer visits
• Public liability insurance, and check your home insurance covers the stock and workspace
• Old keys may be ivory, and rules on selling ivory are strict, so check with the federal environment department
• Pianos are heavy, so use professional movers rather than lifting them yourself

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on tools, how many pianos you buy at first and the materials each restoration needs. Check condition carefully before buying, as a costly-to-fix piano can erase your margin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many pianos you restore, what you pay for them and your selling prices. Estimates start at about 10 hours a week.

Check council rules on home-based businesses, including noise and customer visits, plus public liability insurance and whether your home insurance covers stock and workspace. Also check federal rules on selling ivory keys, and use professional movers for heavy pianos.