Bespoke fitted furniture workshop

Homeowners wanting bespoke storage for awkward spaces, plus builders, interior designers and installers who need a reliable maker.

You charge per project, covering materials, your making time, delivery and fitting. Repeat trade customers such as builders and designers help keep the workshop busy.

• Joinery or cabinet making
• Accurate measuring and drawing
• Pricing and quoting jobs
• Customer service and project management

• Check the unit's permitted use with the landlord and council before you sign a lease, and ask about business rates
• Public liability, product liability and tools and stock insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Dust extraction, machine safety and fire risks in a woodworking workshop, so check the health and safety rules for your setup
• Consumer rights on made-to-order goods, including how you take deposits and handle faults
• Check how you will dispose of waste timber and offcuts, and whether you need waste carrier registration for transporting it
• Long lead times and cash flow, since materials are bought before the final payment arrives

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £50,000, depending on your workshop unit, machinery and materials stock. These are estimates, so get quotes for rent, tools and insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on how many jobs you complete and their size. It is an estimate, and materials are bought before final payment, so cash flow needs planning.

Check the unit's permitted use with the landlord and council, and ask about business rates. Also check insurance such as public liability, product liability and employer's liability, dust extraction and fire safety, and how you will dispose of waste timber.