Custom Joinery Workshop for Builders and Homeowners
Make doors, trim, mouldings and wooden fittings to order from a small rented workshop unit.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small workshop that builds made-to-measure wooden items such as interior doors, window frames, baseboard, casing, mouldings, stair parts and built-in fittings, using woodworking machines.
Your first three steps
- Visit local builders, renovators and heritage-home owners to find out what they struggle to get, and what lead times they expect
- Price out a small rented unit and the core machines (table saw, planer-thicknesser, router table, dust extraction), buying used where you can
- Make sample pieces such as a door and a run of custom moulding, photograph them and show them to three contractors
Who pays
Home builders, renovators and general contractors, plus homeowners with older or non-standard houses where off-the-shelf sizes do not fit.
How it makes money
Quoted price per job or per item, based on materials, machine time and labour. Repeat work from a few contractors can keep the shop steady.
Skills that help
- Woodworking and machine skills
- Reading plans and measuring accurately
- Quoting and costing jobs
- Dealing with contractors
Watch out for
- Zoning: check with your municipality that woodworking is allowed at the unit you are considering
- Fire safety and dust: check fire code requirements for finishing products and dust collection
- Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
- Machine safety training and hearing and lung protection
- Cash flow: materials are paid up front but contractors may pay slowly, so consider deposits
🔒 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 joinery workshop?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000 CAD, depending on the machinery you buy, the unit you rent and the materials you stock. Buying fewer machines at first keeps costs nearer the lower end.
How much can a custom joinery workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000 CAD, depending on the jobs you win, your pricing and how many hours you work. Materials are paid up front, so contractor payment timing affects cash flow.
What rules should I check before opening a joinery workshop in Canada?
Check with your municipality that woodworking is allowed at the unit, and check fire code requirements for finishing products and dust collection. Also check commercial general liability and property insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire, and machine safety training.
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