Furniture repair and restoration
Fix, refinish and restore wooden furniture and fittings for local homes and shops.
- C$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
Repairing broken chairs, re-gluing joints, refinishing tabletops, fixing drawers and restoring older or antique wooden pieces, plus small fixes like doors and trim.
Your first three steps
- Practise on a few thrifted pieces and take before and after photos
- Visit local antique shops, consignment stores and furniture sellers to offer repair work
- Set a minimum job price and an hourly rate based on local competitors
Who pays
Homeowners with treasured or hard-to-replace pieces, antique dealers, second-hand shops and property managers.
How it makes money
Quote per job or hourly rate plus materials. Pick-up and delivery can be charged as an add-on.
Skills that help
- Wood repair and finishing
- Identifying wood types and old finishes
- Patience and attention to detail
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, including cover for customers' items in your care
- Older finishes may contain lead or other hazards, so check safe handling and disposal rules in your province
- Solvents and finishes need good ventilation and safe storage; check fire safety
- Agree in writing the condition of valuable pieces before starting
- Check your municipality's home-based business and zoning rules if working from home
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: furniture repair and restoration
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 furniture restoration business?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on the tools, finishes and workspace you need. Check your insurance options, including cover for customers' items in your care.
How much can a furniture repair business earn in Canada?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $600 to $3,500, depending on the number and type of jobs you take on. Estimates start from about 8 hours a week.
What should I check before starting furniture restoration?
Check commercial general liability insurance, including cover for customers' items. Older finishes may contain lead or other hazards, so check safe handling and disposal rules in your province. Check ventilation, fire safety, and municipal home-based business and zoning rules.
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Photo: Joenomias on Pixabay