Timber fireplace surrounds from a home workshop

Homeowners renovating a living room, local builders and fireplace fitters, and small interior designers looking for made-to-measure pieces.

A price per piece, based on size, timber and finish. Made-to-measure and special finishes can be charged at a higher price. Delivery or installation can be charged separately.

• Joinery and woodworking
• Accurate measuring and design
• Photographing and describing your work
• Dealing with customers and quotes

• Safe distances between timber and a heat source are set out in Building Regulations guidance, so check the rules and design with them in mind
• Installation is usually done by a competent, registered fitter, so check who is responsible for what in your terms
• Product liability and public liability insurance, and whether your home insurance covers a workshop
• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council whether you can run a workshop from home
• Noise, dust and fire risk in a home workshop, including dust extraction and safe storage of finishes

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on the tools you already have, your timber and finishing materials, and any workshop set-up. These are estimates, so cost out your first few surrounds carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many surrounds you make, your sizes and finishes, and how you find customers. Made-to-measure work takes time, so check your hourly return.

Check Building Regulations guidance on safe distances between timber and a heat source, and design with it in mind. Check who is responsible for installation in your terms, whether you can run a home workshop, insurance, and dust and fire risks.