Custom mirror and glass cutting from a garage workshop

Homeowners, handymen, small contractors, interior designers, furniture makers and small landlords.

You charge per piece based on size, thickness and edge finish, with a markup on the glass plus a cutting and delivery fee.

• Careful measuring and cutting
• Safe handling of glass
• Quoting and customer communication
• Local marketing

• Check zoning, any home occupation permit requirements and HOA or lease rules before running a workshop at home
• Home insurance may not cover business activity, so get general liability and check your property coverage
• Glass dust, offcuts and breakage need safe storage and disposal, and protective equipment is essential
• Safety glazing rules for some uses vary by area, so check your local building code and avoid supplying glass that does not meet it
• Check whether your state or city requires a business license, and register for sales tax if selling taxable goods
• Check whether your state requires a contractor license before you offer installation

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on your cutting tools, safety gear, storage and the sheets of glass you buy. Protective equipment is essential, so budget for it from the start.

Check zoning, any home occupation permit requirements and HOA or lease rules first. Home insurance may not cover business activity, so look into general liability and check your property coverage. Also plan safe storage and disposal for glass offcuts and dust.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000 as an estimate, depending on the jobs you take and how many customers you reach locally. Check your local building code for safety glazing, and whether installation needs a contractor license.