Home decorating consultant

Homeowners moving into a new place, people refreshing a living room or bedroom, and sellers who want a home to look its best before listing.

Flat fee per room or project, or an hourly consultation rate. Some decorators also earn trade discounts or commissions on furnishings they source, which should be disclosed to clients.

• Eye for colour and layout
• Listening to what clients want
• Budgeting and sourcing products
• Mood boards and simple 3D or digital design tools

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Commercial general liability insurance, and ask whether you need professional liability cover too
• Some provinces protect the title 'interior designer', so check your provincial association before using it and describe yourself as a decorator
• Use a written agreement that sets out scope, fees and what happens if the client changes their mind
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the design tools you use, your insurance and any licence your municipality requires. Much of the planning can be done from a home office.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many clients you take on and the size of their projects. It is revenue, not profit. You could start at about 6 hours a week.

Check first. Some provinces protect the title 'interior designer', so check your provincial association before using it, and describe yourself as a decorator. Also check home-based business licence rules, liability insurance, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.