How to start a furniture restoration business

What is furniture restoration?

Knowing how to start a furniture restoration business is just one piece of the puzzle. What does it actually cover? As you’ll need to be familiar with what techniques suit your trade skills.

Many old pieces of furniture were designed to stand the test of time, so it’s not all that surprising that lots of homes are full of antiques and hand me downs.

Whether from chips, scratches or wearing over time, it’s likely that these older furniture items will need a makeover to keep them looking their best. That’s where furniture restoration comes into play.

Furniture restoration can cover:

• Cleaning
• Repairing woodwork
• Strengthening joins
• Replacing upholstery
• Refinishing

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to start a furniture restoration business. From creating your business plan to knowing what it costs, keep reading to see the first steps you’ll need to consider.

Do you need to train with a course in furniture restoration?

Training can be useful for getting familiar with trade skills. If you’re considering a career in furniture restoration, you’ll want to get up to speed.

Learning on the job can be a good way into the profession, such as with an apprenticeship programme. However, going on a course in furniture restoration will likely hone your skills even further.

Some training options to consider:

• Apprenticeships
• Local colleges
• BAFRA-approved training events
• Working alongside other skilled tradespeople

Picking the right furniture restoration course could be crucial to getting the right qualifications. And when you’re starting a restoration business, it helps customers when they know they can rely on your skills.

Benefits of setting up a furniture restoration business

Setting up a furniture restoration business may be a lifelong dream or a brand-new idea, but either way there’re many advantages to this new venture.

One of the best benefits is that you’ll have the opportunity to work from home. As long as you have a dedicated, well-ventilated space to carry out furniture restoration, you can cut out your daily commute.

Another amazing advantage to setting up a furniture restoration business is the chance to create something beautiful with your own hands. You can take old, dull furniture, and give it a new lease of life.

• Decide what hours you work
• Choose what projects you’ll take on
• Manage your jobs
• Set your own rates of charging

On top of that, there is a big satisfaction rate to successful furniture restoration. If you want to achieve high rates of customer satisfaction, doing a great job will bring life back into something that is already loved. And usually for the whole family.

One of the many reasons for going it alone as a tradesperson is the desire to get higher job satisfaction. When you become your own boss as a furniture restorer, you’re likely to get exactly that.

How to start a furniture restoration business

Working in furniture restoration allows you to transform precious pieces of furniture. Maybe not precious in terms of money, but certainly in terms of love.

Bringing back to life favourite furniture items helps give your customers something back. And that leads to a great customer experience.

When learning how to start a furniture restoration business there are a few essential first steps and considerations, these include:

• Making sure you have the necessary skills and experience
• Explore the current furniture restoration market
• Check the existing competition in your area
• Deciding where you’ll work (such as a dedicated workshop or work area at home)
• Choosing the business structure (i.e. sole trader or limited company)
• Consider the type of restoration work you’re going to carry out
• Will you refurbish furniture in order to sell it on for profit?

Never be tempted to start restoring furniture unless you have the knowledge and training you need. You could potentially damage a much loved item, which would be a bad start to your new career.

Consider an alternative as a furniture assembly business

Furniture assembly is an alternative to furniture restoration, and you could choose to go down this career path instead. Many people need assistance building flat pack furniture due to not being physically able or simply not having the time.

To learn more about this career option, please see our guide to starting a furniture assembly business.

Do you need specific tools for furniture restoration?

Getting the right tools in place will always make the job easier. Especially with a cross-discipline profession like restoring furniture.

Furniture restoration equipment can include:

• Sanders
• Scrapers
• Paintbrushes
• Clamps
• Woodturning tools
• Upholstery toolkit
• Grinders

Naturally it will depend on the types of furniture you’re working with. Luckily, Checkatrade members get cheaper rates with our partners like Selco and Tradepoint. That means you could get more in your toolkit for less if you come on board with us.

Creating a business plan

When you’re just beginning your new venture, it can be tempting to rush in headfirst without considering how to make your company successful.

The best way to start your company on a solid foundation is to put together a furniture restoration business plan. We’ve put together a handy template that you can use if you’re not sure where to start.

Use the below sections to help shape your company:

Being SMART

Setting goals is a great way of ensuring your furniture restoration business grows in the right direction. Think about what you realistically want to achieve. Make the goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based.

Following the law

Start by registering your new business with Companies House. It’s also worth considering insurance as this will cover your company if anything occurs. Also, don’t forget to register to pay taxes with the HMRC.

Money matters

One of the most important areas to consider when starting out is your finances. You’ll need to cover start-up costs (more on this later) as well as ongoing overheads. It’s also vital you keep track of your income to ensure every loose end is covered when it comes to paying your taxes.

Standing out from the crowd

It’s really important to find a way for your new business to stand out when it comes to the furniture restoration market. You can do this by finding a niche that isn’t covered by competitors or offering better quality services.

Use lead generation strategies

Another fantastic way to reach your target customers is to join Checkatrade. As a member, you’ll have access to free marketing materials and share in the thousands of customer leads we receive every month.

As you grow your business ask for referrals from existing customers or encourage them to come back. One of the best ways to grow your new business is to build relationships with repeat customers.

What about names for furniture restoration business?

Picking the right furniture restoration business name needn’t be a difficult process.

You’ll need to choose something unique that no other businesses in your area is using. You also need to make it memorable. It’s also important to make sure your business name is easy to pronounce.

Names for furniture restoration businesses could include the following:

• Your name
• Your location
• Your service offering
• A play on words (or humour)
• Limited company status if applicable

A good tip is to pick a name that describes your company. Remember that whatever you pick, it’s crucial you register the name of your new furniture restoration business before you start operating.

What is the rough cost for setting up?

Depending on your current circumstances, you will need to invest in a few essentials when setting up a furniture restoration business.

These start-up costs may include:

• Tools for furniture restoration
• Dedicated work van
• Materials and supplies
• Workspace or workshop
• Insurance (such as public liability insurance to protect your new company)

If you’re low on funds and need a little help, signing up to be a Checkatrade member will help you make a bunch of savings too. You can get discounts on business essentials like insurance, fuel cards, tools and even a new company van.

FAQs

Can you make a living flipping furniture?

The premise is quite simple. You look for furniture items that are being sold for a low price then restore and resell the newly refreshed items. It requires a number of different furniture restoration techniques.

As a furniture restorer, the chances are that you have a good eye for pieces of furniture that have hidden value. This is a great way of bringing in some extra funds.

How much money can you make restoring furniture?

Furniture restoration is a varied and challenging career that can be very rewarding. So, how much money can you make restoring furniture? Well, this will depend on a range of factors including:

• How much you charge
• How much the furniture costs you
• How skilled you are
• The current demand

Is upcycling furniture a good business?

Absolutely, upcycling furniture is a good business to start if you want to set your own hours, run your own company, and work from home. It’s also a great way of advancing your career in furniture restoration.

Content disclaimer: This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Read our full disclaimer here.