Furniture and small-item paint stripping from home

Homeowners with heirloom or thrift-store furniture, antique dealers, furniture refinishers and people who flip furniture.

Flat price per piece based on size and detail, or an hourly rate for bigger jobs. Referrals from refinishers and upholsterers can bring repeat work.

• Patience and attention to detail
• Knowing different finishes and woods
• Safe handling of chemicals and tools
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Old paint may contain lead. Learn how to test for it and check EPA guidance before stripping pre-1978 items
• Rules on chemical strippers (some, like methylene chloride, face federal restrictions). Check current EPA rules and use safer products
• How to dispose of used stripper and paint waste. Check with your county's hazardous waste program
• Home occupation permits, HOA or lease rules and fire safety for solvents
• General liability insurance and possible damage to customers' valuable pieces

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the strippers, heat tools, protective gear, and workspace setup you need, and what you already own. Safer products and proper ventilation can affect your costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many hours you put in, the size and type of pieces, your pricing, and how steady your local demand is. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check EPA guidance on lead before stripping pre-1978 items, and current rules on chemical strippers, as some face federal restrictions. Also check how your county handles hazardous waste, home occupation permits, HOA or lease rules, fire safety, and insurance.