Full-Time furniture workshop for trade and homes

Homeowners, interior designers, architects, hospitality businesses and small offices.

Quoted prices per piece or per project, with larger fitted or multi-piece orders for trade clients bringing steadier work.

• Solid joinery and machine skills
• Costing and quoting accurately
• Project and time management
• Building trade relationships

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for machinery, stock and tools; employer's liability once you hire
• Workshop safety: dust extraction, machine guarding and training, and check the Health and Safety Executive guidance on woodworking
• Lease terms, business rates and whether the unit is permitted for this use, so check with the landlord and council
• Cash flow: timber is paid for upfront and customers may pay late, so take deposits
• Check fire safety rules if making upholstered furniture

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, machinery, tools and your first timber orders. These are estimates, so check lease terms, business rates and whether the unit is permitted for this use.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on your commissions, trade clients and pricing. Timber is paid for upfront and customers may pay late, so take deposits. Treat this as an estimate.

Check public liability insurance, plus cover for machinery, stock and tools, and employer's liability once you hire. Check Health and Safety Executive guidance on woodworking, including dust extraction and machine guarding, and fire safety rules if making upholstered furniture.