Sheet metal workshop for builders and roofers

Builders, roofers, air conditioning installers, architects' contractors and small industrial or hospitality customers.

Quoted price per job or per item, based on materials and your hours. Repeat trade accounts with regular orders give steadier income than one-off jobs.

• Reading plans and taking site measurements
• Sheet metal cutting, folding and welding
• Accurate quoting
• Building trade relationships

• Trade qualification: check whether your state requires a licence for any installation work
• Council zoning and permits for running a workshop, including noise
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Machinery safety, and cut and burn injuries; check Safe Work requirements
• Slow-paying accounts and the cost of metal price changes when quoting

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on machinery, unit rent and initial materials. Metal price changes can affect quotes, so allow for this when pricing your work.

Check whether your state requires a trade licence for any installation work, and council zoning and permits for a workshop, including noise. Also check machinery safety under Safe Work requirements, and public liability, product liability and workers compensation insurance.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your customers, whether you also install, and job size. Slow-paying accounts can strain cash flow, so check your payment terms.