Restored pine furniture seller

Households looking for characterful, affordable solid wood furniture, and people wanting painted or waxed finishes.

You profit on the difference between what you pay for a piece, your materials and the sale price. Painted or custom finishes and local delivery can raise your margins.

• Sanding, repairing and finishing wood
• Spotting good pieces at a fair price
• Taking good photos and writing clear listings
• Handling enquiries and arranging collection

• Check home working permission with your landlord, mortgage lender or council, especially for noisy or dusty work
• Wear a dust mask and eye protection, and store solvents and finishing products safely
• Check woodworm and structural soundness before selling
• Public liability insurance is worth checking, plus any rules on selling upholstered items
• Large items need a van or a reliable delivery option, so factor in collection costs

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,500 as an estimate, depending on the pieces you buy, sanding and finishing supplies, safety gear and any van or delivery costs. Check your own figures before buying stock.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on what you buy, how you finish pieces and where you sell. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check home working permission with your landlord, mortgage lender or council, especially for noisy or dusty work. Wear a dust mask and eye protection, store solvents safely, and check woodworm and soundness before selling. Public liability insurance is worth checking.