Set Design and Build Studio
Design and build sets, exhibition displays and scenery from a small workshop for theatres, events and brands.
- A$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small workshop that takes a job from sketch to finished set. You design, build, paint and deliver scenery, props and display stands, and often install them on site.
Your first three steps
- Find a small shared or industrial unit and check that its zoning allows workshop use
- Buy or hire core tools and build two or three sample pieces to photograph for a portfolio
- Introduce yourself to event companies, exhibition organisers and theatres, and ask to quote on their next job
Who pays
Theatre and dance companies, event and exhibition organisers, shopping centres, museums, retail brands and film or TV productions.
How it makes money
Project quotes covering design, materials, labour and installation, plus hire of reusable sets and props.
Skills that help
- Carpentry and construction
- Design and technical drawing
- Quoting, budgeting and project scheduling
Watch out for
- Public liability, tools and workers compensation insurance once you hire, check your state's scheme
- Workplace health and safety duties for workshop machinery, dust, paint and working at height
- Whether larger structural work needs engineering sign-off or a licence, check your state's licensing body
- Uneven cash flow, so ask for deposits and stage payments
- Zoning and council rules for the workshop unit, noise and waste
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a set design and build studio?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your workshop unit, tools and machinery, and materials. Check zoning and council rules for the unit, including noise and waste, before you sign a lease.
How much can a set building studio earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you win. Cash flow can be uneven, so ask for deposits and stage payments to help cover materials and time.
What rules should I check before opening a set building workshop?
Check public liability, tools and workers compensation insurance once you hire. Also check workplace health and safety duties for machinery, dust, paint and working at height, and whether larger structural work needs engineering sign-off or a licence from your state's licensing body.
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