Stone countertop workshop
Template, cut and install quartz and stone countertops from a small workshop for renovators and homeowners.
- C$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small fabrication unit where you template on site, cut and polish slabs, then deliver and install quartz, granite or similar countertops. You may start with a niche, such as bathroom vanities and small kitchens, or remnant pieces.
Your first three steps
- Work for a fabricator, or take a course, to learn templating, cutting and install safely
- Price a rented unit, a saw, a polisher, slab-handling kit and dust and water control, and get quotes from slab suppliers
- Build relationships with kitchen designers and renovators and offer to quote small jobs first
Who pays
Homeowners, renovation contractors, kitchen designers and builders of small residential projects.
How it makes money
A price per square foot or per job for fabrication and installation, with extras for edges, cutouts and sinks. Margin comes from slab pricing and efficient cutting.
Skills that help
- Precise templating and measuring
- Operating stone-cutting equipment
- Safe lifting and handling of heavy slabs
- Quoting and job scheduling
Watch out for
- Silica dust from cutting engineered stone is a serious health risk, so check your provincial workplace safety regulator for required controls and training
- Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for tools, stock and your vehicle
- Check zoning and any business licence needed for a workshop unit in your municipality
- WCB/WSIB coverage rules once you hire an installer or helper
- Slab breakages and cutting mistakes can be very costly, so agree templates and payment terms in writing
- Heavy equipment, high start-up cost and dependence on contractors' payment schedules
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to open a stone countertop workshop?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your cutting equipment, workshop space, vehicle and slab stock. Heavy equipment is a major part of the cost.
How much can a countertop fabrication workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on job volume, your mix of clients and how quickly contractors pay. Payment schedules can affect your cash flow.
What safety and licensing rules should I check?
Check your provincial workplace safety regulator for required controls and training around silica dust from cutting engineered stone. Also check zoning and any business licence for a workshop unit, WCB/WSIB rules when you hire, and insurance.
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