Used piano shop and workshop

Families buying a first piano, music students and teachers, schools, churches and restaurants or venues.

Profit on each piano you buy, restore and resell, plus fees for tuning, repairs, moving and rentals.

• Piano tuning and repair, or a partner who has them
• Judging the value and condition of used pianos
• Sales and customer service
• Handling heavy items safely

• Commercial general liability and property insurance for stock, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire (rules vary by province)
• Check zoning, a municipal business licence and sign rules for your unit
• Stock ties up cash and pianos can sit unsold for months
• Moving pianos is risky for backs and floors, so use trained movers or proper equipment
• Dry winter air and damp summers can damage stored pianos, so plan climate control
• Charge and collect GST/HST or other sales taxes once you pass the threshold, and check Quebec's language rules

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, stock and workshop equipment. These are estimates, and stock can tie up cash because pianos may sit unsold for months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many pianos you sell and how much tuning, repair and delivery work you add. Expect to work from about 30 hours a week.

Check commercial general liability and property insurance for stock, plus WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire. Also check zoning, a municipal business licence, sign rules, GST/HST thresholds and, in Quebec, French-language rules.