Custom millwork from a home workshop
Build custom trim, moldings and interior doors to order from a garage or backyard shop.
- $4k-20k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
1,445 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.7% in a year
NAICS 321918 “Other millwork (including flooring)”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small workshop making made-to-measure wooden fittings such as baseboards, casings, custom moldings, interior doors and window sills for local jobs.
Your first three steps
- Make a small portfolio of sample pieces and photograph them well
- Visit local remodelers and lumber yards to ask what trim they struggle to source
- Price three sample jobs, including materials and your time, and send quotes to a few contractors
Who pays
Homeowners doing renovations, remodelers, small builders, interior designers and owners of older homes needing matching trim.
How it makes money
Quote per job or per linear foot, with a deposit for materials. Matching historic profiles and one-off sizes commands higher prices than stock items.
Skills that help
- Woodworking and machine skills
- Accurate measuring and drawing
- Pricing and quoting jobs
Watch out for
- Check zoning rules, any home occupation permit and HOA or lease limits on noise and workshop use
- Dust collection and fire safety in a garage, and whether your homeowner's insurance covers business use
- General liability insurance, and check whether your state or city requires a contractor license if you also install
- Check your state's sales tax rules for made-to-order goods
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a custom millwork business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your machinery, dust collection and materials. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many jobs you take on.
What rules should I check before running a woodworking shop at home?
Check zoning rules, any home occupation permit and HOA or lease limits on noise and workshop use. Also check dust collection, fire safety, whether your homeowner's insurance covers business use, and your state's sales tax rules for made-to-order goods.
Do I need a contractor license for custom trim and doors?
Check whether your state or city requires a contractor license if you also install your work. Also look into general liability insurance. Estimates suggest a minimum of around 10 hours a week to get started.
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