Fitted cabinets from a rented workshop unit
Make and install kitchen, vanity and storage cabinets for renovators and builders from a small rented shop.
- C$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A full-time cabinet shop in a small industrial unit, making fitted kitchen, bathroom and storage cabinetry to measure, then installing it on site. A bigger space allows sheet goods, larger machines and repeat trade work.
Your first three steps
- Visit local contractors and designers with samples and a price sheet to find your first trade clients
- Price out rent, utilities and the core machines (table saw, edge bander, dust collection), or look at shared shop spaces
- Check zoning, fire and insurance requirements for the unit with your municipality and insurer before signing a lease
Who pays
Homeowners renovating, general contractors, home builders, property developers and commercial clients like offices and shops.
How it makes money
Quote per project or per linear foot of cabinetry, with deposits and staged payments. Repeat work from contractors can help keep the shop busy.
Skills that help
- Cabinet construction and installation
- Reading plans and taking site measurements
- Estimating, scheduling and managing suppliers
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules differ by province)
- Zoning, fire code and dust/finishing rules for the unit; check with your municipality and provincial regulator
- Large projects tie up cash in materials, so use deposits and staged payments in clear written contracts
- Installation in homes may involve work near plumbing or electrical; check whether a licensed trade is needed in your province
- Slow winter renovation periods can affect work; plan cash flow around the seasons
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: fitted cabinets from a rented workshop unit
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 cabinet shop in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your unit, machines, materials and insurance. Large projects tie up cash in materials, so use deposits and staged payments in clear written contracts.
How much can a cabinet-making business earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your project mix, trade clients and capacity. Slow winter renovation periods can affect work, so plan cash flow around the seasons. The estimate is at least about 35 hours a week.
What rules and insurance apply to a cabinet shop?
Check commercial general liability and property insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire. Also check zoning, fire code and dust or finishing rules for the unit, and whether a licensed trade is needed for work near plumbing or electrical.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Stone countertop cutting workshop
Cut and finish stone worktops, vanity tops and fireplace surrounds for homeowners and renovators from a small rented unit.
- C$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Custom wood-frame garage builder
Build detached and attached wood-frame garages for homeowners, from foundation to finished roof.
- C$30k-90k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Local water pump and water systems shop
Open a small shop or counter selling pumps, tanks and fittings to installers, farms and homeowners with expert advice.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile coin laundry machine installer and repairer
Install, repair and resell coin-operated washers and dryers for laundromats and apartment buildings from your van.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mini excavator owner-operator
Dig trenches, drainage, footings and small site jobs for homeowners and builders with your own compact machine.
- C$30k-90k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small glass shop and cutting workshop
Run a small unit that cuts glass and mirrors to size, repairs windows and sells fittings to locals and trades.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: Dormeur74 on Pixabay