Home workshop antique furniture restorer

Private owners with family pieces, antique dealers, interior designers and local auction houses or estate sale companies.

A quote per piece based on the work involved, plus materials. Repeat work from dealers and designers can fill the gaps between private jobs.

• Woodworking and joinery
• Knowledge of finishes such as shellac, lacquer and wax
• Patience and attention to detail
• Judging when a piece should be conserved, not refinished

• Check with your city or county whether a home occupation permit is needed, and whether your HOA or lease allows a workshop
• Solvents, strippers and finishes are fire and fume hazards, so check ventilation, storage and fire safety rules
• Old finishes may contain lead paint, so research safe handling and any rules on disposal in your area
• General liability insurance, plus coverage for customers' pieces while they are in your care
• Heavily altering a valuable piece can reduce its value, so agree the scope of work in writing before you start

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on tools, clamps, finishes, ventilation and insurance. These are estimates, so cost your workshop setup and the kinds of pieces you plan to take on.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many pieces you complete, their complexity and your rates. Agree the scope of work in writing before you start, since heavy alterations can reduce a piece's value.

Check with your city or county about a home occupation permit and whether your HOA or lease allows a workshop. Check ventilation, storage and fire safety for solvents, safe handling of old lead paint, and insurance covering customers' pieces.