Handmade Guitar and Violin Maker

Working musicians, serious hobbyists and collectors who want a custom or higher-quality instrument than they can buy off the shelf.

A fixed price per instrument, often with a deposit upfront. Each build takes weeks, so prices need to cover materials and many hours of skilled work.

• Woodworking and fine hand tool skills
• Patience and attention to detail
• Understanding of sound, setup and playability
• Building a reputation through musicians and word of mouth

• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council whether you can run a workshop from home, including noise and dust
• Public liability insurance, and cover for your tools and stock
• Check rules on imported tonewoods: some, such as rosewoods, are protected under CITES and may need paperwork
• Wood dust and finishes can be hazardous, so plan ventilation, extraction and fire safety
• Income can be slow and uneven at first, because each build takes a long time

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your tools, workshop set-up and the woods you buy. Treat this as an estimate and price up the tools and materials for the instruments you plan to build.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on the instruments you build and your prices. Income can be slow and uneven at first because each build takes a long time. Allow at least around 15 hours a week.

Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council whether you can run a workshop from home, including noise and dust. Also check CITES paperwork for protected imported tonewoods such as rosewoods, plan ventilation, extraction and fire safety, and arrange public liability insurance.