Trade glass cutting counter in a small unit
Run a small workshop unit supplying cut-to-size glass and mirrors to glaziers, builders and walk-in customers.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
376 UK companies in this field, 15% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 23120 “Shaping and processing of flat glass”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small rented unit with a cutting table, edging equipment and racked stock, supplying cut-to-size glass and mirrors on a quick turnaround to trade and public customers.
Your first three steps
- Visit local glaziers and builders to learn what sizes, finishes and turnaround times they struggle to get
- Open trade accounts with one or two flat glass suppliers and compare prices on common sheet sizes
- Price up a small unit, racking and cutting kit, then draw up a simple trade price list and terms
Who pays
Glaziers, builders, kitchen and furniture fitters, shopfitters, picture framers and local households.
How it makes money
Price per piece or per square metre, with extra for edgework, drilling and polishing. Trade accounts with regular orders add steady income, and walk-in sales add higher margin jobs.
Skills that help
- Precise cutting and measuring
- Stock control and ordering
- Quoting and pricing jobs
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
- Check planning and business use for the unit, plus the lease terms and business rates
- Manual handling of heavy sheets; consider lifting aids and training
- Risk of breakages and waste, so price offcuts and wastage into your quotes
- Check requirements for any customer-facing sales of safety glass and the standards that apply
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: trade glass cutting counter in a small unit
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to set up a trade glass cutting unit?
Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, cutting and edging equipment, racking and how much glass and mirror stock you hold. Lease terms and business rates also affect your budget.
How much can a glass cutting counter earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on your mix of trade and public customers, pricing and how well you manage breakages and waste. Remember to price offcuts and wastage into your quotes.
What rules and risks should I check for a glass cutting unit?
Things to check: public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff; planning and business use for the unit; lease terms and business rates; manual handling of heavy sheets; and requirements for selling safety glass.
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