Car restoration workshop

Collectors, enthusiasts, owners of damaged but valuable vehicles and sometimes insurers or dealers.

Project quotes or hourly labour plus parts. Larger jobs are billed in stages over months, and extras like storage or paint can add income.

• Advanced bodywork, welding and mechanical skills
• Quoting and managing long projects
• Managing suppliers, and staff if you hire

• Municipal zoning, fire code and business licence rules for auto repair premises. Check with your municipality
• Environmental rules for paint, solvents and waste, and spray booth requirements, which vary by province
• Garage keepers insurance for customers' vehicles, and WCB/WSIB registration once you hire. Check your province's rules
• Cash flow, since parts and rent are paid long before a project is finished. Use deposits and stage payments
• Some provinces regulate who can perform certain repair or safety work, so check your provincial regulator
• Winter slowdowns and long project timelines can make income uneven

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the unit you rent, the equipment and tools you need, and your insurance and setup choices. Parts and rent are paid well before a project is finished, so plan your cash flow.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many projects you take on, their size and whether you hire staff. Income can be uneven because of winter slowdowns and long project timelines. Revenue is not profit.

Check municipal zoning, fire code and business licence rules for auto repair premises. Also check environmental rules for paint, solvents and waste, spray booth requirements, garage keepers insurance, WCB/WSIB registration if you hire, and whether your provincial regulator limits certain repair work.