Upholstery shop for homes and businesses

Restaurants, bars, hotels, offices and clinics, along with homeowners, designers and furniture dealers.

Quoted jobs for labour and materials, with larger commercial contracts and repeat work from businesses that renew seating regularly.

• Upholstery and sewing experience
• Quoting larger jobs and managing deadlines
• Dealing with business clients and designers
• Managing materials and supplier costs

• Commercial general liability insurance, plus coverage for customers' furniture while it is in your care
• Business licence and zoning requirements for your unit, which vary by municipality
• Commercial work may require fire-rated foam and fabrics, so check the standards that apply in your province
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire help, with rules that differ by province
• Commercial clients can pay slowly, so consider deposits and clear payment terms
• Ongoing rent and heating costs through winter, which make slow months harder

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your unit, machines, fabric storage and materials. Treat this as an estimate, not a quote, and remember rent and winter heating are ongoing costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on how much commercial work you win from restaurants, hotels and offices alongside household jobs. These are estimates, and revenue is not profit.

Check commercial general liability insurance, including cover for customers' furniture in your care, and business licence and zoning requirements for your unit. Check fire-rated foam and fabric standards in your province, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire help.