Office furniture supply and installation business

Small and medium businesses, serviced office providers, schools, charities and commercial landlords.

A margin on the furniture plus a fee for delivery, assembly and removal of old items. Repeat orders and referrals from local firms are key.

• Space planning and measuring
• Assembling furniture neatly and safely
• Quoting, selling and following up with business clients

• Public liability insurance, plus goods in transit cover and employer's liability if you take on staff
• Manual handling risks, so plan for lifting help and use proper equipment
• Business customers often pay on 30-day terms, so check your cash flow before ordering stock
• Fire safety and furniture standards for commercial settings, check what applies to each client
• Check whether your home or storage space is allowed for business use or deliveries

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your van, storage space, tools and the stock you buy up front. These are estimates, so price up your own setup before you commit.

Check public liability insurance, goods in transit cover and employer's liability if you take on staff. Also look at manual handling risks, fire safety and furniture standards for each commercial client, and whether your home or storage space can be used for business.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. Business clients often pay on 30-day terms, so check your cash flow before ordering stock.