Picture framing shop or workshop unit

Local households, artists and galleries, photographers, interior designers, offices, hotels and restaurants needing framed art in bulk.

Custom frame sales priced by size and materials, plus trade work at agreed rates, ready-made frames and mounting, restoration or canvas stretching as add-ons.

• Frame cutting, joining and mounting
• Design advice for customers
• Pricing and quoting
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Commercial lease terms and rent: check the length, renewals and who pays for fit-out
• Check municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules for your unit
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, including cover for customers' artwork while in your care
• WCB/WSIB registration once you hire staff; rules vary by province
• Slow seasons and reliance on a few trade clients; keep a cash buffer
• Collecting and remitting GST/HST or provincial sales tax; check your province's rules

Our estimates put startup costs typically around $20,000 to $80,000 CAD, depending on your unit, fit-out and equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on walk-in trade and larger trade jobs.

Check the lease length, renewals and who pays for fit-out. Also check municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules for your unit, and how GST/HST or provincial sales tax applies in your province.

Check commercial general liability and contents insurance, including cover for customers' artwork while in your care. Check WCB or WSIB registration once you hire staff, since rules vary by province. Keep a cash buffer for slow seasons.