Mobile furniture repair and custom fittings
Repair furniture and build shelves, cabinets and fittings on site at customers' homes.
- A$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Visiting homes and businesses to repair, restore and refinish wooden furniture, and to make and fit simple items such as shelving, built-in storage and timber fittings.
Your first three steps
- Fit out a ute or van with a portable tool kit and dust sheets
- Offer repairs to friends, neighbours and local real estate agents, and ask for reviews
- Check with your state licensing body which fitted work you can do without a builder or carpenter licence
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, real estate agents, cafes and small businesses.
How it makes money
Call-out fee or hourly rate for repairs, and quoted fixed prices for fitted jobs, plus materials.
Skills that help
- Furniture repair and refinishing
- Accurate on-site measuring
- Using portable power tools
- Quoting and customer communication
Watch out for
- Licensing: some fixed building work, such as built-in cabinetry or structural carpentry, may need a state licence above certain job values, so check before quoting
- Public liability insurance, and cover for tools kept in your vehicle
- Working in customers' homes: protect floors and walls and agree the scope in writing
- Dust and fumes from sanding and finishes, use proper masks and ventilation
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile furniture repair and custom fittings
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 a mobile furniture repair business in Australia?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the tools, vehicle setup and insurance you already have or need to buy.
How much can a mobile furniture repair business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many hours you work, the jobs you take on and how you price repairs and fittings. It can start at around 15 hours a week.
Do I need a licence for custom fittings and built-in cabinetry?
Check before quoting. Some fixed building work, such as built-in cabinetry or structural carpentry, may need a state licence above certain job values. Also check public liability insurance and cover for tools kept in your vehicle.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Online solar hot water systems and parts shop
Sell solar hot water systems and spare parts online to installers and householders, shipped direct from your supplier.
- A$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Online
Playground equipment reseller (subcontracted install)
Quote and sell play equipment to schools, councils and nurseries, and hire a local crew to install it.
- A$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based door and hardware supplier
Quote and order-in doors, frames and hardware for local builders and renovators, with no shopfront needed.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop wheelchair repairs
Repair and service wheelchairs and mobility aids from a garage or small workshop, with drop-off and pick-up.
- A$2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Carport and pergola kit installer
Install ready-made carport and pergola kits for homeowners, with less design work and lower setup costs.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Plumber side jobs on evenings and weekends
Take small repair and maintenance jobs after hours, alongside a plumbing job, to build a client base.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Photo: Joenomias on Pixabay