Home studio picture restorer

Private owners with family pictures, antiques dealers, auction buyers, interior designers and local framers who refer clients.

A quote per item based on size, condition and hours needed. Small jobs bring in steady work, while larger pieces earn more per job.

• Fine, steady hand work
• Colour matching and painting skills
• Knowledge of materials and conservation methods
• Clear written condition reports and quotes

• Insurance for client artworks in your care, check what public liability and 'goods in your care' cover includes
• Fumes from solvents and varnishes, check ventilation and safe storage and disposal
• Home use may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, check before you start
• Valuable or historic pieces are best left to accredited conservators, be honest about what you can take on
• Reversible methods and written records matter, as mistakes on valuable items are hard to undo

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your materials, equipment and how you set up your workspace at home. Check what public liability and goods in your care cover includes.

Check insurance for client artworks in your care, ventilation and safe storage and disposal for solvents and varnishes, and whether you need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender. Valuable or historic pieces are best left to accredited conservators.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many commissions you take and the type of work. The estimates assume from around 8 hours a week, and written records matter.