Stained glass commissions and repairs workshop
Run a workshop making bespoke panels and repairing old windows for homes, churches and businesses.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
41,489 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 90030 “Artistic creation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A rented workshop or unit where you make bespoke stained glass for homes and commercial clients and repair or restore existing leaded windows, including in period properties and churches.
Your first three steps
- Build experience through an apprenticeship, a restoration course or by assisting an established studio
- Find a workshop or unit with good light and storage, and cost out your equipment, glass stock and a kiln if you plan to paint or fuse glass
- Introduce yourself to local architects, conservation officers and church fabric committees, and show a portfolio of past work
Who pays
Homeowners with period properties, churches and chapels, pubs, restaurants, architects and interior designers.
How it makes money
Quoted prices per commission or repair job, often with a deposit and staged payments. Restoration and church work can bring larger, repeat contracts.
Skills that help
- Leadwork and traditional glazing techniques
- Restoration and repair experience
- Measuring, templating and fitting on site
- Quoting and managing client projects
Watch out for
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, plus cover for work on site and for glass in transit
- Listed buildings and church work may need specific consents and approved craftspeople, so check with the local council or diocese
- Working at height when fitting windows, so check safe working practice
- Lead handling and kiln fumes need proper ventilation and safe disposal, so check current guidance
- Church and commercial clients can pay slowly, so agree deposits and payment terms in writing
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: stained glass commissions and repairs
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a stained glass repair workshop?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on workshop rent, tools, kiln and materials. These are estimates, so get quotes and check insurance such as public liability and professional indemnity.
How much can a stained glass commission business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your mix of commissions and repairs. Church and commercial clients can pay slowly, so agree deposits and payment terms in writing. These are estimates.
What rules should I check for stained glass restoration work?
Check whether listed buildings and church work need specific consents or approved craftspeople, via the local council or diocese. Also check safe working at height, ventilation for lead and kiln fumes, and insurance for site work and glass in transit.
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