Cut-to-Size glass and mirror shop

Local contractors, glaziers, handymen, property managers, interior designers and homeowners who need a specific piece cut.

You mark up glass bought by the sheet and charge for cutting, edge finishing and delivery. Repeat trade accounts with contractors give steadier income than walk-in sales.

• Careful, accurate measuring
• Safe handling of heavy, fragile material
• Customer service and quoting
• Basic inventory management

• Tempered and laminated glass cannot be cut after manufacture, so you will need to order those pieces from a fabricator
• Safety glazing rules for doors, windows near floors and shower enclosures vary by area, so check your local building code
• Check whether your state or city requires a business license, and register for sales tax and resale certificates through your state
• Cuts and heavy lifting are real risks: get general liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Check whether your state requires a contractor license if you start installing glass as well as supplying it
• Check zoning and lease terms for your unit before signing

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on your unit, cutting equipment and how much glass stock you buy. Check zoning and lease terms for your unit before signing anything.

Check your local building code, as safety glazing rules for doors, windows near floors and shower enclosures vary by area. Also check business license, sales tax and resale certificate rules, and whether installing glass needs a contractor license in your state.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000 as an estimate, depending on your customer mix and the jobs you take. Note that tempered and laminated glass cannot be cut after manufacture, so those pieces must come from a fabricator.