Online unfinished furniture store

DIY homeowners, renters and cottage owners, including people outside big cities who have few local options.

You earn a markup on each piece, plus finishing kits you can bundle with the furniture. Some shops charge shipping fees or offer local pickup.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Product photos and clear descriptions
• Handling customer questions and returns

• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for any stock you hold
• Sales tax depends on where the customer lives, so check how GST/HST, PST and QST apply to online sales
• Freight damage and returns on heavy items can eat your margin, so agree who pays before you list a product
• Children's furniture is regulated federally, so check Health Canada rules first
• If you store stock at home, check your municipality's rules on home-based businesses and any insurance limits
• Quebec customers may expect French-language service and website content, so check the rules

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on whether you ship from a supplier or hold stock. Also budget for commercial general liability insurance and any cover for stock you hold.

Check how GST/HST, PST and QST apply to online sales, since tax depends on where the customer lives. Also check Health Canada rules for children's furniture, municipal home-business rules if you store stock at home, and French-language expectations in Quebec.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your range and how much you sell. Freight damage and returns on heavy items can eat your margin, so agree who pays before listing.