Furniture restoration and upholstery workshop

Households with treasured or inherited pieces, interior designers, pubs and cafes, and antique or second-hand dealers.

Quoted price per piece, covering labour and materials such as fabric and foam. Trade customers can provide steady work.

• Woodworking, upholstery or finishing skills
• Accurate quoting and time estimating
• Patience and attention to detail

• Fire safety: upholstery fillings and furniture often have to meet fire resistance rules, check the current requirements before selling or supplying upholstered items
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' furniture while in your care
• Dust, fumes and solvents, check ventilation, storage and safe working
• Check planning, lease or landlord permission if working from a garage, outbuilding or unit

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your workshop space, tools, materials and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own setup, including any premises you need to use.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,200 to £5,500, depending on the jobs you take, how many hours you work and whether you serve households, interior designers or pubs and cafes. These figures are revenue, before materials, rent and other costs.

Check the current fire resistance requirements for upholstery fillings and furniture before selling or supplying upholstered items. Also check public liability insurance, cover for customers' furniture in your care, ventilation and storage for dust and solvents, and landlord or planning permission for your premises.