Period property repair and restoration

Owners of period and listed homes, landlords, churches and community buildings, and sometimes architects or heritage bodies who need a trusted craftsperson.

Quoted price per job or day rate, plus materials. Work is often priced by the square metre or by feature, and repeat work comes from architects, surveyors and word of mouth.

• A building trade such as stonemasonry, bricklaying, plastering or carpentry
• Knowledge of traditional materials like lime mortar
• Accurate quoting and job planning
• Patience and attention to detail

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you take on staff
• Listed building consent or conservation area rules may apply, so check with the local council before starting work
• Using the wrong materials, such as cement on old walls, can cause damage and disputes
• Working at height and handling dust: check scaffolding, safety and health and safety requirements
• Cash flow, as you pay for materials before the customer pays you, so agree stage payments

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your tools, materials, insurance and any equipment you need. These are estimates. You often pay for materials before the customer pays you, so agree stage payments.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the specialisms you offer, the size of jobs and how many hours you work. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, so allow for materials and subcontractors.

Check whether listed building consent or conservation area rules apply by asking the local council before starting. Also check public liability insurance, employer's liability if you take on staff, scaffolding and working-at-height safety, and using the right traditional materials.