Custom shopfitting workshop and design service
Design, build and install bespoke counters and interiors for shops and restaurants from your own workshop.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small design-and-build business that makes custom counters, display units and interior pieces in a rented workshop, then installs them on site. You offer layout advice and drawings as part of the package.
Your first three steps
- Look for a small shared or rented workshop unit and check the zoning and the cost of heating it through winter
- Build a portfolio of two or three sample pieces and put it online with clear photos
- Contact interior designers, architects and general contractors in your area to offer subcontract build work
Who pays
Restaurants, retailers, franchise groups, offices and interior designers who want made-to-measure pieces.
How it makes money
Project price covering design, materials, workshop time and installation. Larger jobs bring deposits and stage payments, and a helper or apprentice lets you take on more work.
Skills that help
- Joinery and cabinet making
- Basic design or CAD drawing
- Project management and supplier dealings
Watch out for
- Zoning and fire rules for workshop premises, plus dust extraction and finishing-product storage, so check with your municipality
- Commercial general liability and property or equipment insurance, and ask about cover for work in progress
- WCB/WSIB registration once you hire staff, as rules differ by province
- Cash flow, since you pay for materials upfront, so ask for deposits and stage payments
- Check provincial trade certification rules and building code requirements for the work you offer
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a shopfitting workshop in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your workshop rent, machinery and insurance. Materials are paid for upfront, so ask clients for deposits and stage payments to protect cash flow.
How much can a custom shopfitting workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the size and number of projects you win. Plan for roughly full-time hours, as this idea assumes at least 35 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a joinery workshop?
Check zoning and fire rules for workshop premises, plus dust extraction and finishing-product storage, with your municipality. Also check provincial trade certification rules, building code requirements for your work, and WCB/WSIB registration once you hire staff.
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