Furniture and door paint stripping workshop

Homeowners with period properties, furniture upcyclers, antique dealers, interior decorators and small builders.

Fixed price per item, such as a chair, door or fireplace, with extra for heavily layered paint or carved detail. Repeat work from trade customers helps keep you busy.

• Patient, careful hand work
• Knowing different woods and finishes
• Safe handling of chemicals
• Quoting jobs accurately

• Old paint may contain lead, so check current HSE guidance and test or take advice before sanding or heating
• Check how to dispose of chemical waste and paint residue properly, as this may need a registered waste carrier or council advice
• Public liability insurance, and cover for customers' items while in your care
• Check your lease, mortgage or council rules before running a workshop from home, including noise, fumes and visitors
• Chemical strippers need good ventilation, gloves and eye protection; check COSHH-style safe working advice

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the equipment, strippers and protective gear you choose and the space you already have. Check what you need before buying in bulk.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on how many items you take on, the size and condition of the pieces, and the hours you put in. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week.

Check current HSE guidance on lead in old paint before sanding or heating, how to dispose of chemical waste and paint residue, insurance for customers' items, and your lease, mortgage or council rules. Also check safe working advice for chemical strippers.