Home saw and blade sharpening business

Carpenters, joiners, builders, hobby woodworkers, gardeners and households with knives and garden tools.

A set price per blade or tool. Regular trade customers bring batches, and knife sharpening for households adds smaller, steady jobs.

• Patient, precise hand skills
• Knowing different blade and tooth types
• Reliable turnaround times

• Check whether running a workshop from home needs permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, especially with noise
• Public liability insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers business use
• Grinding creates sparks, dust and noise, so use eye, ear and dust protection and keep the space fire-safe
• Carbide-tipped circular blades need specialist grinding equipment, which can cost much more than basic kit

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on the equipment you buy. Basic kit costs less, while specialist grinding equipment for carbide-tipped circular blades can cost much more, so decide which services you will offer first.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on how many customers you serve, the items you sharpen and the hours you put in. The estimate starts from about 6 hours a week, so treat it as a guide.

Check whether running a workshop from home needs permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, especially with noise. Also check public liability insurance, whether your home insurance covers business use, and how to keep the space fire-safe with eye, ear and dust protection.