Online unfinished furniture store

DIY fans, renovators, first-home buyers on a budget, and parents wanting a piece to paint with their kids.

You buy at wholesale or from local makers and sell at a markup. Delivery fees and add-ons like sandpaper, stain and brushes bring in extra per order.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Organising stock and freight
• Friendly customer service
• Some knowledge of timber and finishing

• Bulky items are costly to freight and easy to damage, so price delivery carefully
• Australian Consumer Law rules on refunds, faulty goods and accurate descriptions
• Mandatory product safety standards for some furniture, such as cots and bunk beds. Check with the ACCC before selling them
• If you import timber products, check the rules on legal timber sourcing
• Public liability and product liability insurance. Check whether your home or storage space is covered
• Check whether council approval is needed if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000 as an estimate, depending on your website, how much stock you hold and your storage. Having suppliers send pieces directly may reduce the stock you need to buy upfront.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500 as an estimate, depending on your range, marketing and order volume. Bulky items are costly to freight and easy to damage, so price delivery carefully.

Check Australian Consumer Law rules on refunds, faulty goods and accurate descriptions. Some furniture, such as cots and bunk beds, has mandatory safety standards, so check with the ACCC. If you import timber products, check the legal timber sourcing rules.