Refurbish and resell used pianos from home

Families, beginners, music teachers and small venues who want an affordable, restored acoustic piano.

You sell each restored piano for more than your purchase and parts cost, and can add paid restoration jobs for neighbours' pianos.

• Hands-on repair and woodworking
• Spotting pianos worth restoring
• Basic piano mechanics
• Online listings and negotiation

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what its zoning allows
• Check your home insurance, since you may need business or commercial general liability cover
• Cold or damp garages can ruin pianos, so plan for winter humidity and temperature
• Some pianos are not worth restoring, so check condition (soundboard cracks, pin block) before buying
• Moving pianos is dangerous work, so use proper equipment or hire professionals
• Check federal and provincial rules before selling pianos with ivory keys
• Sales and HST/GST rules apply once you pass the small supplier threshold, so check with the CRA

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the pianos you buy, your tools and parts, and moving equipment. Check a piano's condition, such as soundboard cracks and pin block, before buying.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what zoning allows. Check your home insurance for business or liability cover, how you will protect pianos from cold or damp garages, ivory key rules, and GST/HST with the CRA.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many pianos you restore and sell and the prices you achieve. The estimate assumes at least 10 hours a week. Moving pianos is dangerous, so use proper equipment.