Blog>Trade>Starting a Business>How to start a carpentry business
Last updated: 1 March 2025
How to start a carpentry business
As a skilled carpenter, you possess a range of enviable skills. But do you have what it takes to go it alone and generate your own income? If you want to know how to start your own carpentry business, read on to find the process.
Carpentry is a growing industry, with plenty of potential to diversify into a specific niche or hone your skills to fulfil more detailed tasks. Want to know how to start a carpentry business?
We’ll cover everything from how to write a business plan (look out for the free template), to business insurance, marketing, and the personal attributes that will help to guarantee a successful venture.
Read on to find out whether it’s feasible to turn your passion into a career and discover everything about setting up a carpentry business.
What's the benefit of setting up a carpentry business?
With a huge variety of work, and existing customer interest, it is a thriving industry to join.
In 2024 alone, we received over 810,000 job searches for carpenters*, which is a phenomenal amount. It’s by far one of our most searched-for trades.
From crafting bespoke installations for homeowners to working as part of a team on a construction site, rarely are two projects the same.
On top of that, you get to determine your work-life balance. Why not sign up for our ‘Become the Boss’ series? Hearing from other trades can help starting a carpentry business in the UK.
How to set up your carpentry business – step by step
In this section, we move on to the practical steps you need to take to set up your own carpentry business.
This includes guidance on how to register your business, getting the right business insurance, where to get deals on tools and equipment, and how to get those all-important customers.
Key considerations also include making sure you understand how to pay your taxes, VAT (if relevant), and national insurance. You’ll need to register your business with HMRC and complete a self-assessment tax return every year.
Creating a business plan for your carpentry business
Being a carpenter, you’re probably already meticulous about detail. That makes the very first step for setting up a carpentry business almost a no-brainer. You need to get writing a business plan.
This document should provide a framework to help you get started. There are a number of things to include, for example:
Consider the goals of your business
Set realistic financial targets to work towards
Based on your skills, you should also decide on your niche
Work out how to define your target audience
Think about what will set you apart from the competition
Your business plan will help you to stay focused and make informed decisions as your business grows.
Not sure where to start? Just provide your email address below to receive your free business plan template:
Registering your carpentry business
First of all, the creative bit: coming up with a carpentry business name. It should be unique and catchy, but also relevant to your business offering. Make sure to take your time, as this will play a crucial role in helping you build a brand identity.
There are different legal structures to consider. This is an important step. So work out if you'll be:
Sole trader
Partnership
Limited company
Next, you have a few decisions to make about how you’ll operate your company. For instance, what services will you offer, what hours will you work, and where will your business be based?
Business insurance
It is a good idea to obtain the right insurance when you’re first setting up your carpentry business.
Think about it, you are your business. Either as sole trader or business owner. It’s therefore important to insure your business properly and be covered in the event that something goes wrong.
Public liability insurance (PLI) will cover your liabilities toward your customers, members of the public, and third-party property
Employers’ liability insurance is a legal obligation if you employ anyone else
Included within your carpentry insurance should be cover for your work vehicle, tools and equipment, and any materials you wish to protect.
Without insurance, if any of these items were lost, damaged, or stolen, you’d need to cover the cost of replacement from your own pocket.
A brief guide to carpenter insurance
Do carpenters need insurance? As anyone with an interest in woodwork knows, working as a carpenter involves using potentially dangerous tools and equipment. This can range from handling saws and chisels, all the way to hammers and planes. As a result, the potential for serious accidents and
Finances
Being organised with your finances is key to running a successful carpentry business. Right from the start.
Be sure to keep a close eye on your income and expenditure, and manage your cash flow effectively.
How much does it cost to start a carpentry business? It varies:
Establishing any start-up can be expensive, and you may not have the funding yourself
If that is the case, you can look into applying for a business loan
It is important to fully invest in all the equipment and supplies you need
You don't want to be cutting corners and risking performance or quality
Looking to save money on business essentials? Checkatrade members receive exclusive member discounts on tools, software, insurance, and more.
Carve out a carpentry business of your own
Become a member and have your work covered by the Checkatrade guarantee
What tools does a carpenter need?
You know as well as the next person, to deliver exceptional work for your customers, you need the very best tools you can stretch to. These include:
Hand tools — utility knife, chisel, pencil, claw hammer
Tool belt
Power drills
Tape measure
Carpentry squares
Saws
Levels
As a carpenter, you’ll be working a lot with your hands, which is why it’s essential to use the right tools. Read our blog on the best carpenter hand tools.
Save money and time marketing your business
With our digital marketing strategy and strong online presence, becoming a Checkatrade member makes it easier for customers to find you.
Over 22 million homeowners searched for tradespeople on the Checkatrade website last year*, with customers three times more likely to search with us than any other provider.
Carpentry in particular is one of the most searched trade services with over 810,000 online searches through our website in 2024.* Sound good?
As a member, you can also:
Display customer reviews
Highlight testimonials
Show examples of your work on your profile page
Have your work guaranteed (T&Cs apply)
Use the trades app for on-the-go job management and invoicing
We’ll also help you with access to branded marketing materials and help to increase your business’s visibility on Google.
Is a Checkatrade membership worth it?
One way to figure out whether the cost of something is worth it is to look at ROI (Return on Investment). In its most basic sense, this is how much something costs compared with the income it generates. Working out the ROI of a Checkatrade membership is definitely a must-do for any trade business
Building your trade business with Checkatrade
Despite best intentions, when you’re out working all day as a tradesperson, it can be hard to find the time to put all of this into practice.
However, there is a simpler way to help your carpentry business grow – by joining our leading trade directory.
Here are just a few of the many reasons to become a Checkatrade member:
To get more leads
Checkatrade members receive new leads and consumer enquiries each week. With that level of existing customer interest, surely you don't want to miss out on more work coming your way?
To help to secure more work
With over 25 years of experience and the tick that is known for tradespeople committed to quality, being a Checkatrade member helps you to build your reputation and win more business.
To save money
Get exclusive access to trade deals, saving money on business essentials to help keep your profit margins sharp. Checkatrade members get access to exclusive offers and discounts through the member's app.
How to get more carpentry leads
Whether you’re starting out or have an established carpentry business, you need to plan ways to generate carpentry leads. And luckily, you’ve come to the perfect place. In this guide, we’ll talk you through various ways to find new carpentry clients. The basics for generating carpentry leads In the
FAQs
How much does it cost to start a carpentry business?
There are various costs associated with starting a carpentry business, but exactly how much will depend on your circumstances. If you’re an experienced carpenter who already has most of the necessary equipment, then you could launch your business with just a few hundred pounds.
How long does it take to start a carpentry business?
If you take the traditional route of a college course or a carpenter apprenticeship, this will take up to three years to complete. After you’re qualified, it will probably take a couple of years of on-the-job experience to sharpen your skills and feel confident about starting a carpentry business.
Can carpenters make good money?
How much a carpenter makes can vary depending on the level of skill, qualifications, and experience. Choosing to go self-employed and setting up a carpentry business can also definitely help boost your earnings.
If your business offers a unique service or attracts a large client base, you’ll be in demand enough to charge higher rates, helping you to earn considerably more than some of your competitors.
More than just a directory listing
Our members have access to exclusive offers and discounts
* Internal Checkatrade search data from users of the website - 1st January - 31st December 2024
