Antique restoration studio with pickup and delivery
Rent a small workshop unit, take on dealer and auction work, and collect and deliver pieces for clients.
- $8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
3,168 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.9% in a year
NAICS 811420 “Reupholstery and furniture repair”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time restoration business run from a rented workshop or shared studio, handling larger volumes of repairs, refinishing and upholstery-ready frames for dealers, auction houses and private clients.
Your first three steps
- Price local workshop or light industrial units and shared maker spaces, and work out how many jobs a month cover the rent
- Set up a simple website and social media page showing before-and-after photos with clear pricing guidance
- Offer dealers and auction houses a trial job at a fair rate to start building trade accounts
Who pays
Antique dealers, auction houses, estate sale companies, interior designers and private owners of valuable pieces.
How it makes money
Per-piece quotes plus materials, with a pickup and delivery fee for large items. Regular trade accounts help keep the workshop busy.
Skills that help
- Advanced woodworking and finishing
- Quoting and pricing jobs accurately
- Handling and moving heavy furniture safely
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Check zoning for your unit with your city or county, and any fire code rules for finishing and solvent storage
- General liability insurance, coverage for customers' property in your care, and commercial auto insurance if you use a van for pickups
- Workers' compensation insurance once you hire help
- Register for a state sales tax permit if required, and check how sales tax applies to repair and refinishing services in your state
- Rent is a fixed cost, so build up a steady flow of jobs before signing a long lease
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: antique restoration studio with pickup service
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 rented antique restoration studio?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on rent and deposit, tools, finishing equipment, insurance and a vehicle for pickups. These are estimates, so get quotes on workshop units in your area first.
How much can an antique restoration studio earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on volume of dealer, auction and private work, and your pricing. Rent is a fixed cost, so build a steady flow of jobs before signing a long lease.
What rules and insurance should I check before renting a studio?
Check zoning for your unit and any fire code rules for finishing and solvent storage. Also check general liability, coverage for customers' property, commercial auto insurance for pickups, workers' compensation if you hire, and state sales tax rules.
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