Home-built timber mantels and hearth shelves
Build timber mantels and surrounds in your garage or shed and sell them to local homeowners and designers.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small-scale maker of timber mantels, shelves and decorative surrounds, built in a home garage or shed using hand and bench tools, finished and delivered to the customer.
Your first three steps
- Make two or three sample mantels in popular styles and photograph them well
- Set up an Instagram page or marketplace listing and show local designers and builders
- Register an ABN and ask your insurer for public liability cover for home-made products
Who pays
Homeowners updating a living room, interior stylists and small builders who want a custom timber piece.
How it makes money
A fixed price per piece, set by timber cost and hours of work, with an extra charge for custom sizes, finishes and delivery.
Skills that help
- Basic to intermediate woodworking
- Finishing and staining
- Taking photos and showing your work online
Watch out for
- Check with your local council whether home-based business approval is needed, especially for noise and dust
- Public liability and product liability insurance, as mantels sit near heat sources
- Customers must follow the clearance rules for their heater or fireplace, so check relevant Australian Standards and give clear installation advice
- Dust extraction and safe use of power tools in a home space
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home-built timber mantels and hearth shelves
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 making timber mantels at home?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your tools, materials and finishing supplies. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many pieces you sell.
What should I check before selling timber mantels in Australia?
Check with your council whether home-based business approval is needed, especially for noise and dust. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, and the relevant Australian Standards on clearances, since mantels sit near heat sources.
What skills and time do I need to make timber mantels?
Useful skills include basic to intermediate woodworking, finishing and staining, and showing your work online. Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. Plan for dust extraction and safe power tool use in a home space.
Other ways to run this business
Similar making and manufacturing ideas
Kiln-formed glass bowls and tableware
Make bowls, plates and drinking glasses in a kiln from your garage or spare room and sell to shops and cafes.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small-batch lingerie maker from a home studio
Sew underwear and lingerie in short runs for independent labels and boutique brands from a spare room.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile antique and grandfather clock service
Visit homes to service, set up and repair grandfather, wall and mantel clocks that are hard to move.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Trailer modifications and upgrades
Modify existing trailers with new racks, toolboxes, cages and repairs, from a home shed or a mobile setup.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-shed decorative ironwork
Make small gates, brackets, planters and garden pieces in your shed and sell to locals and local trades.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop metal fabricator
Make custom gates, brackets, trailers parts and small frames to order from a garage or shed workshop.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home