Architectural salvage storefront

Homeowners restoring older homes, contractors, interior designers, restaurant and bar fit-out teams and set decorators.

Retail markup on each salvaged item, plus extra income from delivery, light restoration, custom pieces made from salvage and buying jobs from contractors.

• Knowledge of building materials and period styles
• Buying and pricing used items
• Customer service and sales
• Handling heavy items safely

• Check zoning, a local business license and your state sales tax registration
• General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Lead paint and asbestos risks on older materials, check EPA rules and what to disclose
• Stock can sit for months, so keep rent and buying costs in check
• Heavy items create injury risk, so plan equipment such as dollies, a lift or a truck

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your space, opening stock, insurance and handling equipment such as dollies, a lift or a truck. Stock can sit for months, so keep rent and buying costs in check.

Check zoning, a local business license and your state sales tax registration. Also check general liability and workers' compensation insurance once you hire, and EPA rules on lead paint and asbestos in older materials, including what to disclose.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your stock, location and trade customers. Items can take months to sell, so cash flow matters. The estimate assumes about 30 hours a week or more.