Lamp restoration for antique dealers and shops
Restore and rewire vintage and antique lamps for dealers, so they can sell them safely.
- C$1k-5k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A specialist service rewiring and restoring older decorative lamps, including cleaning brass, fixing fittings and making them safe to sell. You collect batches from dealers and return them ready for sale.
Your first three steps
- Build a few before and after examples by restoring lamps from thrift stores and markets
- Contact antique dealers, consignment shops and designers in your area with a simple price sheet
- Agree a batch pick-up and delivery routine and set up simple invoicing
Who pays
Antique dealers, vintage and consignment shops, interior designers and online resellers.
How it makes money
Per-lamp pricing on batches, with higher rates for complex or delicate restorations. Dealer relationships can bring repeat work.
Skills that help
- Wiring and restoration of older fittings
- Eye for period styles and materials
- Reliable turnaround and invoicing
Watch out for
- Check provincial rules on electrical work and on selling or reconditioning electrical goods
- Antique wiring and old materials can contain hazards such as lead or asbestos insulation, so check safe handling
- Commercial general liability insurance, and ask about cover for customers' items in your care
- Valuable antiques can be damaged, so agree condition and value in writing
- Check whether you need to register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: lamp restoration for antique dealers and shops
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 lamp restoration service?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your tools, workspace, cleaning and restoration supplies, and the stock of parts you keep.
How much can a lamp restoration service earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many dealers you serve, batch sizes and the work each lamp needs. The idea assumes at least about 12 hours a week.
What should I check before restoring antique lamps for sale?
Check provincial rules on electrical work and on selling or reconditioning electrical goods. Check safe handling of hazards such as lead or asbestos insulation, liability and in-care cover, written condition and value agreements, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the threshold.
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