Start a heritage restoration contractor business

Private owners of larger period properties, churches and charities, landlords, housing groups and architects, sometimes with grant funding from heritage bodies.

Fixed-price contracts or tendered quotes for larger jobs, with stage payments. Margins come from careful estimating and good use of crew time.

• Trade experience in traditional building methods
• Estimating and managing projects
• Supervising people and subcontractors
• Writing clear quotes and method statements

• Employer's liability and public liability insurance, plus any contract or professional cover clients ask for
• Listed building consent and conservation rules, so check with the local council and the project architect
• Health and safety duties, including site safety plans and working at height
• Asbestos and lead may be present in older buildings, so check surveys before work begins
• Grant-funded and public projects often have strict paperwork and slow payment
• VAT registration may become necessary as turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on tools, vehicles, equipment and insurance. These are estimates, so build a budget for your own crew and the type of projects you want to take on.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on project size and how many people you have working. Grant-funded and public projects often have strict paperwork and slow payment, so plan your cash flow.

Check listed building consent and conservation rules with the local council and the project architect. Asbestos and lead may be present in older buildings, so check surveys before work begins, and review your health and safety duties.