Solo shopfitter for small shops and cafés

Independent shop owners, café and restaurant owners, small office tenants, and sometimes larger fit-out firms who sub-contract labour.

Fixed price per job or a day rate for labour, plus a mark-up on materials if you supply them. Sub-contract day rates for larger firms are a steady fallback.

• Carpentry and general building skills
• Reading plans and measuring accurately
• Working to deadlines around a shop's opening date
• Quoting and managing small jobs

• Public liability insurance, and check whether clients or main contractors ask for a specific cover level
• Health and safety on site, including working at height and using power tools; check what training or cards (such as CSCS) main contractors expect
• Electrics, gas and some structural work usually need qualified tradespeople; check what you can and cannot do yourself
• Building regulations or landlord consent may apply to some alterations; check with the client and local council
• Late payment on larger jobs, so agree stage payments and get terms in writing

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on the tools, transport and insurance you need. Treat this as an estimate and check what your first clients or main contractors expect before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £7,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. The estimate assumes from about 25 hours a week, so your actual income will vary.

Check public liability cover and whether clients ask for a specific level. Check site health and safety, including working at height, and what training or cards such as CSCS main contractors expect. Also check which electrics, gas or structural work needs qualified tradespeople, and building regulations or landlord consent.