Start a custom flashings and cladding workshop

Roofing companies, general contractors, renovators, builders and some commercial property owners.

Priced per piece, per linear foot or per job, plus a margin on materials. Rush orders and custom profiles usually earn more. Repeat accounts with contractors give steadier work.

• Reading drawings and taking accurate measurements
• Operating a brake, shear and hand tools safely
• Quoting jobs and managing contractor accounts

• Sheet metal work is a regulated or certified trade in some provinces, check with your provincial apprenticeship authority what you need
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Check municipal zoning and fire rules for a workshop unit
• Metal prices change, so build material price changes into your quotes
• Cuts and heavy lifting are real risks, so use proper safety gear and training

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000 CAD, depending on the workshop unit, the machinery you buy and the stock you hold. Metal prices change, so build material costs into your quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000 CAD, depending on the contractors you supply, job sizes and whether you install work yourself. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.

Sheet metal work is a regulated or certified trade in some provinces, so check with your provincial apprenticeship authority. Also check commercial general liability insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, and municipal zoning and fire rules for your unit.