Mobile carpenter for home repairs and fit-outs

Homeowners, landlords, property managers and small contractors who need a reliable carpenter for jobs too small for a big firm.

Hourly rate or fixed quote per job, plus a markup on materials. Repeat work from landlords and contractors helps keep your calendar full.

• Solid carpentry and finishing skills
• Accurate measuring and quoting
• Reading plans and working to code
• Reliable communication with customers

• Carpentry is a trade in some provinces, so check with your provincial apprenticeship authority whether you need certification (for example, Red Seal or provincial rules) to work on your own
• Check whether your municipality requires a business licence, and whether jobs need a building permit (decks, stairs and structural work often do)
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB registration rules by province if you hire help
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Winter slows outdoor work, so plan for indoor jobs in the colder months
• Physical work with a risk of injury, so use proper safety gear

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your tools, vehicle needs and insurance. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the jobs you take and your pricing.

Check with your provincial apprenticeship authority whether carpentry is a trade needing certification, such as Red Seal, before working on your own. Also check municipal business licences, building permits for decks, stairs and structural work, insurance, WCB or WSIB rules and GST/HST registration.

Useful skills include solid carpentry and finishing, accurate measuring and quoting, reading plans and working to code, and reliable customer communication. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week, depending on demand. Winter can slow outdoor work.