Cabinet shop in a small rented unit
Rent a small workshop and take on kitchen, bath and built-in jobs for remodelers, builders and homeowners.
- $15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,055 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
NAICS 337110 “Wood kitchen cabinet and countertop manufacturing”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A cabinet shop in a rented industrial unit with space for bigger machines, sheet storage and spraying or finishing, producing full kitchens, vanities and commercial fit-outs.
Your first three steps
- Price local industrial units and sketch a monthly budget covering rent, power, materials and insurance
- Visit remodelers and contractors with samples and ask what they currently outsource
- Form an LLC, get an EIN and open a business bank account before you sign the lease
Who pays
Remodelers, general contractors, home builders, homeowners and small businesses like offices or restaurants.
How it makes money
Priced per project or per linear foot of cabinetry, with deposits and progress payments, plus repeat work from contractors.
Skills that help
- Cabinet design and cut lists
- Machine operation and finishing
- Estimating, scheduling and managing jobs
Watch out for
- Check city or county zoning and business license requirements for a woodworking shop
- Contractor license rules for installation vary by state, check your state licensing board
- General liability, property and workers' compensation insurance once you hire
- Fire code, dust extraction and finishing fumes may need inspection or permits, check with your local fire department
- Cash flow risk: material costs come before payment, so take deposits
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: cabinet shop in a small rented unit
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 cabinet shop in the US?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the machines you buy, the size of the rented unit, and how much you spend on finishing equipment and sheet materials.
How much can a small cabinet shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on job size and how many projects you take on. Material costs come before payment, so it is worth taking deposits to protect cash flow.
What licenses and rules should I check for a cabinet shop?
Check city or county zoning and business license rules for a woodworking shop, and your state licensing board's contractor rules if you install. Also check fire code, dust extraction and finishing fumes with your local fire department, plus insurance.
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Photo: Dormeur74 on Pixabay