Made-to-size glass and mirror cutting

Households, picture framers, furniture makers, crafters, small builders and local handymen.

Price per piece, usually based on size, thickness and edge finish, plus a charge for delivery or rush jobs. Repeat trade customers can give steady orders.

• Accurate measuring
• Steady hands and care with sharp materials
• Basic workshop organisation
• Clear quoting and customer service

• Public liability insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers business use
• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council whether you can run a workshop from home
• Safe handling and storage of large sheets, cut-resistant gloves and eye protection
• Safe disposal of broken glass and offcuts; check with your council about trade waste
• Safety glass (toughened or laminated) generally cannot be cut by hand, so be clear about what you will and will not supply

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £3,500, depending on the cutting and edging equipment you choose, safety gear, storage for large sheets and your opening stock. Start with the jobs you expect most.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on how many jobs you take, your customer mix and your pricing. It can start from roughly 6 hours a week, so it can grow alongside other work.

Things to check: public liability insurance and whether home insurance covers business use; permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council; safe handling and storage; broken glass disposal; and that toughened or laminated glass generally cannot be cut by hand.