Fitted wardrobe and kitchen design-and-supply service

Homeowners updating a bedroom or kitchen, small builders and landlords who want a supplier to handle the design and ordering.

You add a margin to the supplier's price for the units, plus a design fee or fitting charge. Many customers pay a deposit up front, then the balance on completion.

• Measuring and room planning
• Using design or CAD software
• Selling and clear quoting
• Managing suppliers and fitters

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you also need product liability cover
• Consumer rights on made-to-order goods and on sales made in the customer's home, including cancellation rules and how you take deposits
• Check any fitters you use have their own insurance and are properly self-employed, and that electrical, gas and plumbing work is done by suitably qualified people
• Supplier delays and mis-measures can be costly, so agree who pays for errors in writing
• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council if customers or deliveries will come to your home

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your design software, samples and how you set up from home. These are estimates, so build your own figures from supplier quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many projects you win and the size of each job. Treat this as an estimate, and remember supplier and fitter costs come out of it.

Check public liability cover and whether you need product liability, consumer rights on made-to-order goods and home sales (including cancellation and deposits), and that fitters are insured and self-employed. Check electrical, gas and plumbing work is done by qualified people.