Second-hand furniture shop
Run a small shop selling pre-owned sofas, tables and storage, sourced from house clearances and local sellers.
- C$8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail unit or showroom selling pre-owned furniture. You buy from households, estate clearances and downsizers, clean and repair pieces, and display them for walk-in customers.
Your first three steps
- Visit similar shops in nearby towns and check local rents, then shortlist affordable units with loading access
- Build your sourcing by contacting estate sale organizers, property managers and people downsizing, and start buying stock
- Set up a simple shop, business insurance and a payment system, and open with a small range of well-presented pieces
Who pays
Local households, renters, students, landlords furnishing units and shoppers looking for character pieces.
How it makes money
You mark up each piece over what you paid and spent on repairs. Delivery fees and clearance services can bring in extra income.
Skills that help
- Valuing furniture
- Basic repair and cleaning
- Retail customer service
- Managing stock and cash flow
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability and contents insurance, and ask about cover for stock held in storage
- Check municipal zoning, a business licence and signage rules for your premises
- Check provincial rules on reselling upholstered or stuffed items, which can include labelling or sanitization requirements
- Lease commitments are a risk if sales are slow, so negotiate terms carefully
- Winter can slow foot traffic and make deliveries harder, so plan cash flow for quiet months
- Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check your province's rules for used goods
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: second-hand furniture shop
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 open a second-hand furniture shop?
Estimates typically run around $8,000 to $40,000 to start, depending on the premises, lease terms and how much stock you buy. Lease commitments are a risk if sales are slow, so negotiate terms carefully.
What rules should I check before opening a second-hand furniture shop?
Check municipal zoning, a business licence and signage rules for your premises. Also check provincial rules on reselling upholstered or stuffed items, which can include labelling or sanitization requirements, and ask about insurance for stock held in storage.
How much revenue can a second-hand furniture shop make?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location, stock and foot traffic. Winter can slow foot traffic and make deliveries harder, so plan your cash flow for quiet months.
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