Home studio bespoke tailor

Individuals wanting a better fit: wedding parties, people with hard-to-fit builds, professionals and anyone who wants something made just for them.

A fixed price per made-to-measure garment, plus charges for alterations and repairs. Deposits are usually taken up front to cover cloth.

• Pattern cutting and sewing
• Taking accurate measurements
• Fitting and customer service
• Patience and attention to detail

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to clients visiting your home
• Public liability insurance is worth checking, especially with client visits
• Check your home insurance covers business equipment and stock
• Cloth and deposit costs: agree prices and timescales in writing to avoid disputes over fit
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC for Self Assessment

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your sewing equipment, cloth and workroom set-up. Agree prices and timescales in writing with clients to avoid disputes over fit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many commissions and alterations you take on. The estimated minimum time commitment is around 10 hours a week.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to clients visiting your home. Also check public liability insurance, whether your home insurance covers business equipment and stock, and register as a sole trader with HMRC for Self Assessment.