How to start a joinery business

Whether you’re hanging doors, building kitchen units, or fitting out a shop, joiners are always in demand.

It’s certainly one of the most interesting trades, with no two projects ever being the same. And the industry has only been growing in recent years.

Why start a joinery business?

There’s no better time to start your own joinery business. In particular, if you’ve become a joiner in the last few years and have some experience under your belt.

So, whether you’re brand-new to the joining trade. Or you’re an experienced fitter with many years under your belt.

This guide will walk you through all the tips and advice needed in setting up a joinery business.

Creating a joinery business plan

The first thing to do when setting up a joinery business is to sit down and create a business plan.

A business plan is crucial for laying out your company goals, and how to meet them. As well as setting realistic financial targets you can work towards in your first few years.

You’ll also want to conduct market research on competitors and their services to see what you can offer.

Naturally, your targets will then reflect these areas, enabling you to find your service niche.

Thus, by sticking to this plan, you can keep your business on track, organised, and hopefully financially viable.

So, when you start your business plan, you should examine all the following areas:

• Your business goals – the aims of your business and how will you achieve them
• Startup costs – how you plan on financing your business and work tools
• Finance management – whether you’re planning to do your finances yourself or get help
• Your services – the areas of joinery you plan to specialise in
• Your target audience – are you going to be a residential or commercial joiner?
• Your prices – how you plan to price your services
• Your area of operation – the locations that you’re prepared to cover with your work
• Types of marketing – the marketing methods that you’ll use to reach new customers
• Your working hours – the most timetable and hours you’re willing to work in a week

Take as much time as you need to finalise your business plan. That way, you’ll have a clear goal and vision in mind for your business.

For more help on how to do this process properly, you should read our blog on writing a business plan. You can also download our free template below:

What qualifications does a joiner need?

As with many trades, there are no legal requirements that state you must be qualified to become a joiner.

However, if you are starting a joinery business in the UK, then it is highly recommended you get training.

Proof of training proves to your customers that you’re capable of delivering quality service. This helps to build trust, and it will lead to both new and repeat business in the future.

To earn your joiner qualifications, we suggest looking at the following courses:

• A Level 2 or 3 NVQ in Carpentry and Joinery, or a similar course
• An Apprenticeship in carpentry or joinery

For more information on what qualifications to pursue as a joiner, read our guide on training to become a joiner:

Joining a joinery body

Besides qualifications, customers will be more inclined to trust your skills if you’re a member of a professional joinery body.

Construction and joinery bodies we’d recommend considering include:

• British Woodworking Federation (BWF)
• Institute of Carpenters (IOC)
• Guild of Master Craftsmen
• Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

Getting a CSCS certification

Much like other trades, many joiners may often find themselves being offered roles on construction sites.

If this is the case, then you need a CSCS card to be able to accept such a job. This is a legal requirement for you to do any work on a construction site.

What business skills does a joiner need?

There is more to starting a joinery business than just trade skills. You’re going to need a varied skill portfolio to be successful in such an endeavour.

Therefore, we highly recommend getting experience in the skill areas listed below:

• Tool knowledge – knowing what tools you’ll need to buy for different jobs is essential
• Problem-solving – joinery and business can present many complex challenges, and you’ll need problem-solving skills to navigate these
• Interpersonal skills – you’ll be working with numerous people every day, so good social skills are vital
• Management training – if you plan to hire staff, you’ll need to be trained in management processes
• Attention to detail and patience – having attention to detail and patience are core joinery skills. Ones that are crucial for running a business as well
• Enthusiasm and endurance – running a business is challenging, and you need to be ready to face whatever comes your way
• Financial understanding – knowing how to handle finances will make running your business a seamless process

Of course, there are more skills to be aware of besides these. To read more about what these are, take a look at our piece on becoming your own boss.

What do I need to start my own joinery business?

With the opening stages of starting a new trade business done, let’s look at setting up a joinery business directly.

To make it easier, we’ve listed four practical steps you can follow to get your company off the ground.

1. Register your joinery business

First things first when starting a joinery business, you’ll need to give it a name, and register it with HMRC. The latter is a legal requirement for you to be charged tax.

You’ll also need to decide between operating as a limited company or sole trader. Both have their pros and cons, so read up on which one might be best for you.

As for your name, take your time, as it will play a crucial role in building your brand identity. Check out our top tips for coming up with a business name.

2. Joiners’ insurance

Due to the sometimes hazardous nature of joinery work, you must have some form of joiners’ insurance before starting.

Not only will this protect you financially, but it will show customers you’re a reputable business.

Included within your joiners’ insurance should be personal and public cover, alongside cover for work vehicles, tools, equipment, and materials.

Again, for more details on this area, you should read our article on finding the right trade insurance.

3. Accounting and bookkeeping

Staying on top of your finances is key to running a successful joinery business. You need to keep a close eye on your income and spending and manage your cash flow effectively.

As with all our points, we go into more detail on accounting and bookkeeping in our small business accounting blog.

4. Buying your joinery tools

Last, but not least, when setting up a joinery business, you’ll need to buy the tools to go with it. Investing in a diverse selection of tools will allow you to tackle any job you’re offered.

Here are some of the main tools all joiners should own:

• Tape measures
• Wrench
• Drill
• Claw hammers
• Screwdrivers
• Saws
• Sanders
• Dust extractors
• Spirit level
• PPE (Personal protective equipment)

Remember, the more specialised tools you own, the better equipped you’ll be for a range of projects. This will allow you to maximise your business opportunities.

Of course, having the right equipment will also make you more efficient and ensure your work is of premium quality.

Also, a van and a valid driving licence will likewise be essential for transporting all of your equipment between jobs. Which is why you should consider joining Checkatrade.

You can make great savings if you choose to buy your tools through Checkatrade. We give our members easy access to discounts on both equipment and tools.

How to get more joinery work

Eventually, once your business has taken off with a steady stream of work, you’ll no doubt want to find more.

When you feel ready, you should look to use the three points listed below to expand your work options:

• Other qualifications – while you should already have qualifications when starting a joinery business, it never hurts to have more. More qualifications mean a greater level of trust from potential customers after all
• Specialisation – although you’ve likely already specialised in what sort of joinery you offer; a niche will let you corner that market
• Repeat business – repeat business is a consistent way to get more business as a joiner. So, again, avoid sacrificing the quality of your work wherever possible

Marketing your joinery business with Checkatrade

So, by now, you should be more than ready to start building your joinery business. But have you considered working with Checkatrade to make this even easier?

As a Checkatrade member, you can display customer reviews, testimonials, and examples of your work on your profile page.

We’ll also help you with free marketing materials and increase your business’s visibility on Google.

Get in touch today to inquire about our 12-step vetting process and find out more about the services we offer.

FAQs

How do I price a joinery job?

As with any trade, you’ll need to consider whether you charge by the hour, day, or per project.

Naturally, the costs of the materials you use will play a factor in this, as will associated labour costs.

To help you understand how to price a joinery job, check out our guide on how to price your services.

What qualifications do I need to start a joinery business in the UK?

Most joiners will study for a Level 2 or 3 NVQ in Carpentry and Joinery – or a similar course focused on joinery and woodworking skills.

Alternatively, you could work as an apprentice for an established carpentry or joinery business.

What tools and equipment are essential for a joinery business?

As a joiner, you’ll want to invest in a combination of hand and power tools to do your job efficiently.

Some essential tools you’ll want to buy include hammers, chisels, hand saws, circular saws, and marking tools.

Depending on the joinery services you offer, you might also need specialist equipment, such as wood lathes or mortising machines.