Woodturning workshop for trade orders

Furniture makers, joiners, restorers, interior designers, builders and gift or homeware shops.

Charging per item or per job for trade orders and restoration work, with your own retail pieces adding extra income.

• Accurate repeat turning to a drawing or sample
• Quoting jobs and managing deadlines
• Building relationships with trade customers

• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you take on staff
• Check fire safety, dust extraction and noise rules for your unit with your council and landlord
• Check business rates and planning use for the premises
• Trade work can be uneven, so avoid relying on one customer
• Machinery risk, so keep up safe working practice and training

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on the unit you rent, the lathes and machinery you buy and your dust extraction and safety setup. Buying second-hand equipment may help, but check its condition carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £5,000, depending on the orders you win, your pricing and how many hours you work. Trade work can be uneven, so avoid relying on one customer. A starting point is around 30 hours a week.

Check fire safety, dust extraction and noise rules with your council and landlord, along with business rates and planning use for the premises. Consider public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you take on staff, and keep up safe working practice and training for machinery.