Furniture restoration workshop for dealers and auctions
Rent a small workshop and take on larger restoration jobs from dealers, auction houses and private clients.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,955 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95240 “Repair of furniture and home furnishings”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A full-time restoration business in a rented unit or shared workshop, with room for big pieces such as dining tables, bookcases and wardrobes, and for several jobs at once.
Your first three steps
- Look at local workshop units or shared craft studios and compare rent and access for large furniture
- Build a portfolio with before and after photos and a simple website
- Visit dealers and auction houses in your area and offer to quote on their stock that needs work
Who pays
Antique dealers, auction houses, interior designers, and private owners of valuable or sentimental pieces.
How it makes money
A price per piece, quoted on time and materials. Steady trade work from dealers helps fill the diary, while private clients often pay higher rates.
Skills that help
- Advanced restoration techniques such as veneering and French polishing
- Valuing and identifying period furniture
- Quoting and managing several jobs
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock, tools and customers' items in your care
- Business rates, lease terms and the deposit on a unit, so check these carefully before signing
- Fire safety and storage rules for flammable finishes, check with your local fire service and council
- Slow payment from trade customers, so agree terms and take deposits on bigger jobs
- Employer's liability insurance if you take on an apprentice or helper
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: furniture restoration workshop for dealers and auctions
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 open a furniture restoration workshop?
Startup costs are typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the unit, deposit, tools and equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the size and number of jobs you take on.
What should I check before renting a workshop unit?
Check business rates, lease terms and the deposit carefully before signing. Also check fire safety and storage rules for flammable finishes with your local fire service and council, and employer's liability insurance if you take on a helper.
How many hours a week does a restoration workshop take?
The estimate starts at around 30 hours a week for a full-time business. The total depends on how many jobs you run at once and how much quoting and admin you handle. Agree payment terms and take deposits on bigger jobs.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Mobile machinery repair engineer
Travel to workshops, farms and small factories to fix broken machines on site and cut their downtime.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile pipe and fittings supplier
Stock a van with common pipes and fittings and deliver to local plumbers and builders on site.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Glazing installer for builders and trades
Fit windows, doors and glazed units for builders and developers on new builds, extensions and renovations.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile air tool supplier visiting garages
Drive a stocked van to garages and workshops, selling air tools and fittings on the spot.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small office fit-out contractor
Win whole office refurbishment jobs and run them with a trusted team of trades, from strip-out to final decoration.
- £5k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile welder for repairs and fabrication
Take a van-mounted welding kit to farms, builders and garages to repair gates, trailers and machinery on site.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about