Second-Hand furniture shop with clearance service

Local households, landlords furnishing rentals, students and shoppers looking for character pieces or low prices.

Margin on each item sold, plus fees for clearances, delivery and sometimes simple repairs or restoration.

• Valuing and pricing furniture
• Lifting and handling safely
• Customer service and negotiating
• Basic bookkeeping

• Upholstered furniture has fire safety labelling rules in the UK, check what applies to second-hand stock with Trading Standards
• Clearance work involves carrying waste, check whether you need a waste carrier registration
• Business rates, lease terms and planning use class for the premises, check with the landlord and local council
• Public liability insurance, plus stock and van insurance, and employer's liability once you hire
• Heavy lifting and manual handling risks
• Slow-selling stock can tie up cash and space

Startup costs are typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on the premises, how much stock you buy and whether you add a van for clearances. These are estimates, so check lease terms and rates first.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on your location, stock and whether you offer a paid clearance service. These are estimates. Slow-selling stock can tie up cash and space.

Check fire safety labelling rules for upholstered second-hand stock with Trading Standards. Check whether you need a waste carrier registration for clearance work, plus business rates, lease terms, planning use class and insurance.