Online antique furniture dealer working from home

Private buyers, interior designers, stylists and collectors looking for period pieces.

You earn the margin between what you pay for a piece and what you sell it for, after costs such as restoration, photography, platform fees and delivery.

• Eye for quality, age and value
• Good photography and clear descriptions
• Negotiating at auctions and with sellers
• Basic cleaning and minor repair

• Public liability insurance, plus stock insurance for items kept at home or in storage
• Check whether running a business from home needs permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council
• Overpaying for fakes or reproductions, and the risk of items being damaged in transit
• Consumer rules on descriptions and returns for online sales, so check what applies to you
• Items containing restricted materials such as some ivory or tortoiseshell, check the current rules before selling
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC, and keep records of what you buy and sell

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how much stock you buy and whether you need storage or restoration supplies. These are estimates, so set your own budget first.

Check consumer rules on descriptions and returns for online sales, and the current rules on items with restricted materials such as some ivory or tortoiseshell. Also check home-business permission from your landlord, lender or council, and register with HMRC.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on the pieces you sell and the prices you achieve. Overpaying for fakes or reproductions, and damage in transit, can affect your results, so check carefully.