Furniture and door stripping from your garage

Homeowners renovating older houses, antique and thrift flip resellers, furniture refinishers, painters and contractors who don't want to do the messy work themselves.

Fixed price per piece or per door, with extra charges for intricate carving, multiple paint layers or metal hardware. Pick-up and delivery can be an add-on.

• Patience and attention to detail
• Knowing how to treat wood without damaging it
• Safe handling of chemicals and dust
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Lead paint is common on pre-1980 pieces and houses, so check Health Canada guidance and use proper protection and dust control
• Check which paint strippers are allowed in Canada, as some solvents are restricted, and follow WHMIS-style safety data sheets
• Check with your municipality about home-based business rules, zoning, fumes and noise, and talk to your insurer about home workshop cover
• Ask your municipality how to dispose of paint waste and chemical residue, as it usually can't go in regular garbage or drains
• Fire risk from solvents and rags, so keep proper storage and extinguishers on hand

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000 CAD, depending on the strippers, protective gear, tools and workshop set-up you need. Your costs will vary with the size of the pieces you plan to take on.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many pieces you strip, what you charge and how many hours you work. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check Health Canada guidance on lead paint, especially for pieces from before 1980, and which strippers are allowed in Canada. Also check municipal home-based business rules, insurance for a home workshop, paint waste disposal and fire safety.