Small local roof truss workshop

Small and medium housebuilders, self-builders using a contractor, joiners, roofing contractors and builders' merchants.

You charge per truss or per roof set, priced from timber, plates, labour and design time, plus delivery. Repeat orders from a handful of local builders keep the workshop busy.

• Carpentry or joinery experience
• Reading roof plans and measuring accurately
• Using truss design software
• Quoting and dealing with builders
• Managing timber stock and delivery schedules

• Trusses are structural, so check design checking, engineering sign-off and product marking requirements (such as UKCA or CE marking) with your plate supplier and Building Control
• Public liability, product liability and employer's liability insurance, plus professional indemnity if you do the design yourself
• Check industrial unit leases, planning use class and local council rules on noise and dust
• Machinery and dust safety (PUWER, wood dust controls) and lifting and forklift training for anyone on site
• Timber prices can swing quickly, and builders often pay late, so check supplier terms and consider credit checks

Startup costs are typically around £60,000 to £250,000, depending on the unit, machinery, truss design software, timber stock and nail plates. It needs real upfront investment, so it suits a small team with a joinery or building background.

Monthly revenue is typically around £12,000 to £60,000, depending on order volume, timber prices and the mix of builders and joiners you supply. Builders often pay late, so check supplier terms and consider credit checks.

Things to check: design checking, engineering sign-off and product marking (such as UKCA or CE) with your plate supplier and Building Control; insurance including product liability; unit lease and planning use class; and machinery and wood dust safety.