How to Create a Small Hand Built Furniture Business
Starting a business can be profitable during lean economic times. A hand-built furniture business is one you can easily run from your basement or garage. This business requires little money to get started, and overhead will be relatively inexpensive. Building furniture part time works well with a full time job.
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Things You'll Need
- Wood boards
- Hardware and drawer pulls
- Stain and varnish
- Paint
- Primer
- Brushes
- Sanders
- Routers
- Band saws
- Jigsaw
- C-clamps
- Cloths
- Steel wool
- Polyurethane
- Marketing brochures
Instructions
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Define the type of piece you would enjoy building. Find a professional plan online. Or, sketch your own plan for building a table, small bookcase or chest. To reproduce an existing piece, measure it carefully in detail. Draw it in three dimensions and sketch a template for each piece on graph paper or white art paper. Hardwoods such as oak and walnut are best, but you may need to use less expensive wood to make a profit.
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Research hand-built furniture online and in person. Use this information and the cost of supplies as well as time spent, to determine how you can build desirable pieces and still make a profit. If your craftsmanship is superior, aim for building heirloom quality furniture and charge more.
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3
Build the furniture according to the plans selected. Sand, stain and finish each of the pieces of furniture. Take pictures to show family and friends. Create a small brochure using the computer and list the dimensions of the pieces and the retail cost. Upload pictures of your furniture to the brochure. Put your phone number or other contact information on it. Distribute brochures in your business circle or neighborhood. Add other featured pieces to the brochure over time.
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Wait for feedback. Don't start making a lot of items until you see how customers like your creations. Don't invest in too many pieces until a few sales are made.
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Put up a sign at home, if zoning permits. Get a business license if needed. In warm weather, try placing some of your pieces in the front yard for a yard sale. Offer to give a small commission to private individuals who will sell the furniture for you, if you don't have time to market the items. Consider asking consignment stores in the area to sell pieces for you as well.
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Research new designs. Visit antique stores and flea markets to get ideas for what to build next. When the business has a client base in place, start experimenting with designs and kinds of wood to grow your business. Eventually, if your business profit expands, look for retail space to lease.
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Tips & Warnings
Offer to build certain pieces for friends and neighbors who have special requests. Ask them to pay for the materials up front. Let them know exactly what the finished piece will cost. Deliver the item on the agreed-upon time, so you can collect monies in a timely manner and build your reputation.
Don't fail to hire help if your business takes off. If there is a good market for your furniture, you will lose your initial marketing and advertising efforts if you can't keep up with the demand. Hire someone part time to begin with. This employee can help cut pieces for assembling or deliver the finished pieces for you to customers.
