Historic window and woodwork restorer

Owners of older homes, historic district residents, churches, small nonprofits, preservation groups and local governments with historic buildings.

Price per window or per job, or an hourly rate for repairs. Specialist skill and a steady stream of historic-district work support higher prices than general handyman jobs.

• Carpentry and woodworking
• Knowing old building materials and methods
• Patience and attention to detail
• Writing clear quotes

• Check whether your state or city requires a contractor or handyman license, as thresholds vary a lot
• Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, so check the EPA lead renovation (RRP) certification rules before disturbing paint
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire help
• Work on landmarked or tax-credit buildings may have to follow local review or Secretary of the Interior's Standards, so check approvals before starting
• Physical work with ladders and heights, so plan for safety

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your tools, materials, insurance and any training or certification you choose. Treat this as a rough estimate and plan your tool list carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many jobs you take, the size of each project and how many hours you work. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check whether your state or city requires a contractor or handyman license, and the EPA lead renovation (RRP) certification rules for homes built before 1978. Also check local review rules for landmarked or tax-credit buildings, and insurance.