Custom furniture maker from a home workshop

Homeowners, renovators, interior designers and small businesses wanting pieces that fit their space.

Fixed quote per piece based on materials, hours and finishing, usually with a deposit upfront and the balance on delivery or installation.

• Woodworking and joinery
• Accurate measuring and drawing
• Quoting and customer communication

• Check your municipality's zoning and home-based business licence rules, especially for noise and dust
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for tools and materials
• Dust extraction, fire safety and finish storage in a home workshop; check your provincial workplace safety rules
• Winter heating and humidity can affect wood and finishes in an unheated garage
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold; check with the CRA

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the tools you already own, your materials and your insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the pieces you build and how many you sell.

Check your municipality's zoning and home-based business licence rules, especially for noise and dust. Also check commercial general liability and tool cover, dust extraction and fire safety under provincial workplace rules, and GST/HST registration with the CRA.

You need woodworking and joinery skills, accurate measuring and drawing, and clear quoting and communication with customers. The estimate is at least about 12 hours a week. Winter heating and humidity can affect wood and finishes in an unheated garage.