Custom Glass and Mirror Cutting Shop
Cut glass and mirrors to size from a small workshop for glaziers, contractors and households.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small workshop where you cut glass and mirrors to customers' measurements, with edge finishing and drilled holes as extras. Customers drop off measurements or pick up cut pieces, and you buy stock sheets from a glass wholesaler.
Your first three steps
- Visit local glaziers and contractors to learn what sizes and finishes they struggle to get quickly
- Price out a cutting table, tools, edging equipment and racking, and find a glass wholesaler for regular stock
- Find a small unit or garage space zoned for light industrial work and get quotes for insurance
Who pays
Glaziers, renovation contractors, cabinet makers, picture framers, and homeowners needing tabletops, shelves or replacement panes.
How it makes money
Price per piece or per square foot, plus charges for polished edges, drilled holes, tempering sent out to a supplier, and delivery. Regular trade customers give steady repeat orders.
Skills that help
- Accurate measuring
- Steady hands and safe handling of heavy sheets
- Customer service and quoting
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability and property insurance, check cover for stored glass and customer-supplied pieces
- Zoning and any business licence for a workshop, check with your municipality
- Workplace safety rules and cut-resistant gear, check your provincial WCB or WSIB requirements, especially once you hire
- Tempered glass cannot be cut after tempering, so check orders carefully before cutting
- Heavy sheets and broken glass are a real injury risk, plan safe lifting and storage
🔒 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 start a glass cutting workshop in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your workshop space, cutting and edge-finishing equipment, safety gear and how much stock you buy from wholesalers.
What rules and safety points should I check before cutting glass for customers?
Check zoning and any business licence for a workshop with your municipality, and your provincial WCB or WSIB safety requirements, especially once you hire. Also check insurance for stored and customer-supplied glass, and remember tempered glass cannot be cut after tempering.
How much can a glass and mirror cutting shop earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your customer mix, pricing and the extras you offer. Heavy sheets and broken glass are an injury risk, so plan safe lifting and storage.
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