Paint Stripping Workshop for Doors and Furniture
Rent a small unit and strip doors, mantels, furniture and metalwork in volume for homeowners, dealers and contractors.
- $8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
38,280 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 238320 “Painting and wall covering contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A dedicated workshop with proper ventilation and stripping stations. Customers drop off or you collect doors, shutters, mantels, furniture and architectural salvage, and you strip them using chemical tanks, heat and hand finishing.
Your first three steps
- Check zoning and your landlord's rules for a unit that allows chemical work, with good ventilation
- Price out stripping tanks or stations, protective gear and waste disposal, then set per-item prices
- Pitch local contractors, salvage yards and historic-home groups, offering a trial batch at a reduced rate
Who pays
Homeowners renovating older houses, architectural salvage dealers, antique shops, painters and restoration contractors.
How it makes money
Price per door or piece, with discounts for batches from contractors. Add-ons like sanding, repairs or refinishing raise the average job value.
Skills that help
- Safe chemical and waste handling
- Efficient workflow for batches of items
- Pricing and quoting
- Basic business admin and customer service
Watch out for
- Zoning, fire code and any permits for solvents and hazardous waste. Check with your city or county and the fire department
- Hazardous waste rules for paint residue and spent chemicals, which may vary by state
- Lead paint handling and worker safety rules (such as OSHA). Check what applies, especially if you hire staff
- Commercial lease costs, general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
- Federal and state restrictions on certain chemical strippers
🔒 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 open a paint stripping workshop?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your lease and deposit, ventilation, stripping stations or tanks, safety gear, and insurance. Commercial lease costs are a major factor to check.
How much can a paint stripping workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the volume and type of items you strip, your pricing, your customer mix, and whether you hire help. These are estimates only.
What rules should I check before opening a stripping workshop?
Check zoning, fire code, and permits for solvents and hazardous waste with your city or county and the fire department. Also check state waste rules, lead paint and worker safety rules such as OSHA, chemical restrictions, and insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Furniture and small-item paint stripping from home
Strip old paint from furniture, doors and small metal pieces in your garage or workshop space for local customers.
- $500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
On-site paint stripping for trim, railings and metalwork
Travel to homes and job sites to strip paint from railings, porches, radiators, trim and other pieces that can't be moved.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Similar trades ideas
Lapidary studio with shop and classes
Run a small studio cutting stones for trade and retail customers, and teach beginner lapidary classes.
- $10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Drywall and plaster delivery supplier
Take orders from contractors, buy from a distributor and deliver drywall and plaster to job sites without a store.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Residential heating and AC repair service
Repair, tune up and replace furnaces and AC units for homeowners from your own van.
- $8k-40k
- Full-time
- Out and about
HVAC maintenance for landlords and small businesses
Keep heating and cooling running for rental properties and small commercial spaces on set service contracts.
- $10k-40k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Fiberglass repair workshop
Run a small shop where owners and businesses bring boats, trailers and body panels for larger repairs.
- $10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Walk-in engraving shop or mall kiosk
Run a small shop or kiosk where customers bring jewelry, watches and gifts for same-day engraving.
- $8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises