Home workshop upholsterer
Recover and repair chairs, sofas and footstools from a garage or spare outbuilding for local households.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,955 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95240 “Repair of furniture and home furnishings”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Stripping, repairing and recovering furniture such as dining chairs, armchairs, sofas and footstools in a workshop space at home. You re-pad, re-spring and fit new fabric, often on pieces with sentimental or antique value.
Your first three steps
- Book a short upholstery course, or arrange to learn alongside an experienced upholsterer
- Set up a workspace with a sturdy bench, trestles and the core hand tools, and practise on second-hand chairs
- Photograph your first pieces and show them on local social media groups and community noticeboards
Who pays
Households, antique and vintage furniture owners, interior designers and local second-hand dealers.
How it makes money
A quote for labour per piece plus the cost of fabric and materials. Fabric can be supplied by you or the customer.
Skills that help
- Hand upholstery techniques such as stitching, tacking and padding
- Accurate measuring and quoting
- Patience and attention to detail
- Customer service
Watch out for
- Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a workshop at home
- Public liability insurance, and check your home insurance covers the tools and stock
- Fire safety rules for furniture filling and fabrics sold or supplied, check the current UK regulations before you start
- Dust, staples and tools are hazards, so plan good ventilation and safe storage
- Set aside time to pick up and deliver bulky items safely
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home workshop upholsterer
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 an upholstery business at home?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on the tools, materials and workshop setup you need. A garage or spare outbuilding you already have can help keep your costs towards the lower end.
How much can a home upholsterer earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you take on. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week, and revenue is not the same as profit.
What rules should I check before running an upholstery workshop at home?
Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a workshop at home. Also check public liability insurance, whether home insurance covers tools and stock, and current UK fire safety rules for furniture filling and fabrics.
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