Stained glass commissions and repair studio
Design custom windows and restore damaged panels for homes, churches and businesses.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A studio focused on made-to-order architectural pieces and repair work: new panels for doors and windows, and releading or restoring older glass in heritage homes and churches.
Your first three steps
- Build a portfolio of photographed pieces and a few repair before-and-after examples
- Introduce yourself to local churches, heritage groups, architects and renovators
- Create a simple quote template with a deposit and a clear timeline
Who pays
Homeowners, heritage property owners, churches and community groups, restaurants, boutiques, builders and interior designers.
How it makes money
Quoted prices per commission based on size, complexity and materials, plus hourly or fixed fees for repairs and restoration. Deposits help cover glass costs.
Skills that help
- Advanced glass and lead work
- Drawing and design for custom briefs
- Measuring and installing panels
- Quoting and client communication
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, especially for installation work
- Check whether workshop premises need municipal zoning approval or a business licence
- Working at height on installations, so check safety requirements in your province
- Heritage or church projects may have approval processes, so check with the client and local authority
- Lead handling and safe waste disposal, so check provincial rules
- Long lead times and cash flow, so take deposits
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: stained glass commissions and repair
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 start a stained glass commission business?
Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your workshop setup, tools and materials for custom architectural and repair work.
How much can a stained glass repair and commission business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the mix of custom commissions and restoration work you take on. Long lead times affect cash flow, so it helps to take deposits.
What rules should I check before taking stained glass commissions in Canada?
Check commercial general liability insurance, especially for installation work, and whether your workshop needs municipal zoning approval or a business licence. Also check working-at-height safety requirements, lead handling and waste disposal rules in your province, and approval processes for heritage or church projects.
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Photo: jimmikehank on Pixabay