How to Start Woodworking Business From Home

Doing woodwork is one of the most exciting hobbies out there. You’ll start doing small things like portraits, holders, and stools. Then you will slowly begin making sofas, chairs, couches, cabinets, libraries, and so on.

Before long, you’re already experienced enough to make beautiful kitchen cabinets and entire sets of living room furniture. That’s where your hobby is not a hobby anymore, but potentially profitable business.

If you like woodworking this way and you see it as a possible business venture – then you’ll be glad to know it’s always an opportunity.

Woodworking and carpentry are very profitable if you know how to get the most from it. And here we will tell you precisely what you need to do for that.

You won’t even have to get out of your house for this, just set a lovely workshop at home and that will be enough. So, are you ready to learn how to start a woodworking business from home? Then scroll down to find about every step you need to follow!

Why Start a Woodworking Business?

Before you start going in-depth about your business, you need to first make sure that you are ready for it.

If you see woodworking as an enjoyable activity and you have enough experience, then why not start getting paid for doing so? You’ll be doing something you like but at the same time getting all the value you create into other people’s hands for a profit.

You need to be completely assured that you want this. Yes, you’ll have the chance to work from home, you’ll dress however you prefer, and you’ll be free from listening to superiors. All those are great benefits, but all those benefits take lots of work.

Here are some challenges you may encounter:

• Attitude problems in yourself, business partners or employees
• Eternal hobby mentality
• Lack of responsibility or punctuality
• Lack of business skills or social skills for promoting and improving
• Fear of failure to take chances
• Fear of looking for expert help or assistance

All of these challenges are pretty common, but once you overcome them – you’ll be a step closer to success.

So, why start a woodworking business? You do it because it offers the chance to work in something you love and get all of its benefits. Just remember that it’s not easy, even if you are a skilled and experienced woodworker. There will be ups and downs – sometimes more downs than ups.

But once you learn how to give it wings, then nothing will compare to having your own woodworking business. 

1. Study the Industry

Now that you know the benefits and features of starting a woodworking business, it is time to start doing your homework.

The first thing to do is to study everything you can about the woodworking industry.

Start by learning which sector of the industry is the most profitable. Some woodworkers like to produce cabinets and libraries. Others prefer making ladders and chairs. They can be all profitable, but surely someone will make the most money and have the most sales. That can be useful info when starting.

You also need to consider that wooden stuff is less sought-after nowadays than years and decades ago. However, you can still make enough to live and become a successful entrepreneur if you know where to start and focus your efforts.

Some of the most profitable woodworkers nowadays sell their custom-made products through the internet. And that can be a fantastic choice for someone who wants to start from home like you.

Just remember that there are thousands of opportunities out there to get your hands on. Before you start anything, just remember to study it all. You will end up with many ideas or at least enough information to have an easier time with your business.

2. Find Your Specialty or Niche

After finding out about the industry, it is time you learn about a specialty.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one. Most woodworkers sell and make lots of different wooden stuff, so they can have a wider market presence and opportunities. But if you can be an expert on one, two or three things, it would be better than being a mediocre one in all of them.

This step is all about considering all the information from the industry and making sure it fits with your skills and interests. Whatever you desire to do, it’s essential that’s both something you can do expertly but also something profitable with enough demand.

Among the many niches and specialties, there are:

• Cabinets
• Kitchenware
• Tableware
• Living room furniture
• Bar and restaurant furniture
• Boxes and vaults
• Ladders and stairs
• Decorations and portraits
• Object carving
• Windows and doors

These are some of the most popular woodworking niches you’ll find out there. Yet there are still several opportunities ready for someone willing to give them a go. And that could be you.

3. Make an Economic Analysis

Nowadays, the woodworking and carpentry sector is on a downstream. This means there’s not much room to keep going down, but instead a huge opportunity to surge.

With so many prospects on the internet to sell wooden products, and with the imminent boom of eco-friendly products with less plastic and metal, woodworking is soon to become a great chance for everyone.

For starting your business, remember it’s all about looking for the right chance. Yet, you will have to consider all the economic factors that could either improve or decrease your chances of success.

Here are a few of these factors:

Manufacturing or Distribution?

You should know the difference between being a woodworking business that processes the wood and makes a product from that, or a business that only receives the pieces, assembles and distributes them. Find what works best for you.

There could already be some woodworking business in your area, so maybe another one would be too much. But you could still think of a chance to either merge or work along with this business by doing what they don’t. That would be a great idea that could save you lots of time and money.

Franchise or Scratch?

Another economic factor to consider is whether you want to start the business from scratch or get a franchising brand. This means also getting all the equipment and resources left by such brand, which could give you tons of advantages when starting.

But of course, you’ll have to pay for that, sometimes starting and yearly/monthly which can be a considerable turndown. As a woodworking business from scratch, though, you’ll need to do everything yourself, including acquiring the resources, doing marketing and creating a business plan.

After going over all of these economic factors and opportunities, you’ll be closer to opening a more profitable business. Just remember it’s all about preparation and an economic vision of what you want to do.

Find the Perfect Place to Establish

Yes, you’re working from home. But this doesn’t mean that you will have a disorganized, inefficient, or just uncomfortable working place.

Even if you are starting in a 15 by 15 garage, it’s still crucial that you are as productive as possible by following the right space organization.

For that, there are a few things to consider: 

Setup and Tools

Try to have all the tools you’ll need depending on what you’re producing.

Sometimes, you may need both small and large tools. But you’ll also need to consider power tools that use electricity, and places to store hardware such as nails, screws, and so on.

Try to limit the use of space but also feel comfortable in the process. So, consider having a proper placement at all times.

Save Money and Time with Proper Space

You can always start with personal tools. And very likely you won’t have to spend money or time in modifying your working space.

If you can always save money and time with this, then you’ll be saving lots of benefits. But also remember that doing something at first may save you the hassle later. Be careful with that.

As for commercial tools, unless you have lots of space and you really need the tool for any of your projects, then getting one can be a good idea.

Otherwise, it’s always better if you can avoid wasting your money in buying one of these.

Most projects, even the largest ones, can be done with small tools without problems. This way you’ll save lots of space and money.

Future Comfort is Key

Once you start receiving more and more clients, you can start thinking about how to improve the space you work at. And that means being comfortable with the amount of work and things you can handle.

This has a lot to do with the place. Because sometimes you won’t be working on just one project but several at the same time – and that may also demand an additional worker. So, you’ll need lots of space in the future, which your garage may not be able to offer.

At first, you will be alone with just one or two projects at hand. Eventually, it will take more space and probably more people. Consider that before establishing your workshop.

Consider either moving or just expanding if needed. But never take this step if you aren’t sure you’ll need the extra space. Save your time, effort, and money at all times – but don’t let things get uncomfortable.

With these factors in consideration, you’ll be able to make a better woodworking place over time. Just remember that it’s all about being productive without limitations.

Create a Business Plan

Now that you have several things ready when it comes to business guidance and ideas, it’s time to start planning how your business will carry out.

A business plan is a roadmap. It gives you the path to follow. You won’t follow this path at all times, but it gives you more clarity and focus when starting your endeavor.

Here you must prepare everything from small goals to significant accomplishments. You should consider what you want to be and how you’re going to do so, even if you end up doing something else.

This will give you a perfect chance to follow what you want without wasting time, effort, or money. But of course, it needs to be as complete and precise as possible. This way, you don’t steer out of it by mistake.

What is a Business Plan Exactly?

A business plan is not only a map for your business venture. It’s also helpful for many other things such as getting a loan, acquiring investment advice or direct help from investors, and much more. Some highly specialized employees or possible partners will also be interested in your business plan.

If everyone sees that you are clear in what you want to follow and it seems doable, then you’re likely to get the help you need.

Whether it is money, intellectual capital, or infrastructure, a business plan is always helpful along the way. So, focus on building the best plan possible, so you know where you are, where you are heading, and what’s still in the goal list.

1. Check, Review and Change

Do not make a single business plan and decide that is the one to use. You’ll need to make changes if required, re-write, edit, and either focus or get a broader goal depending on your needs.

For that, we recommend checking your business plan before delivering it to banks, investors, employees, or just anyone who could help you. It will also help you refine your whole purpose with the business, and probably become a more effective owner in the long run.

2. All about Productivity and Results

Remember that business plans are all about making the clearest yet still most effective roadmap for your business. That means focusing on producing or just profiting the most from every effort.

It’s all about getting the best outcomes possible by meeting every goal, reaching accomplishments, and becoming exactly what the business plan says.

In the long run, this will give an excellent step-by-step guide you can follow whenever everything seems blurry or difficult. And on top of that, it helps to keep a clear path to achieve anything more efficiently.

3. Build Something Legal

One of the critical parts of your business will be the legal area. This is something many people tend to forget about businesses, especially woodworking ones from home.

You can always hire an attorney or lawyer to do all the necessary work for you. But there are still numerous aspects you need to consider before starting anything from scratch.

If you’re starting the business as a franchise or with someone else’s ideas, then you can always dismiss the legal part as they probably figured it out already. Otherwise, remember these factors:

Asset Protection and Legality

Learn about proprietorship, liability, partnerships, and corporations. Learn what it means to have plans goals, and how to fit them to the legal part to protect everything that belongs to you or your business.

Sometimes, making an LCC will not be enough. You’ll have to separate the business from your personal assets first. And for that, you can do the following:

• Try opening a business bank account to keep personal money from business money separated
• Always lend or let people invest in your company directly on its name and not yours
• Make sure taxes always fall on your business’ name and not yours
• Open a business credit card that separates business from personal expenses
• Build a positive business credit story different from your personal one

All these tips will help you keep yourself away from business embroilments. Don’t forget to follow them even if your lawyer doesn’t advise you to.

Licenses and Permits

A business also demands permits and permissions so you can carry out different activities inside the legal requirements. For woodworking, there aren’t many limits you could cross, but it’s still always better to be secure and prevent unwanted issues.

For a woodworking business from home, we recommend contacting a small business firm or administration that could guide you. They will explain all the legal requirements so you can carry your activities without setbacks.

You may even need a certification to start, and that can have huge effects on your business-building process. So always remember to contact lawyer and offices that have everything related to zoning, cities, and municipalities rules and laws. That could ultimately save you lots of time and money.

Insurance and Safety

If you are starting a business, you will like to be protected against any setback. And that means having insurance and taking all the safety steps needed.

You can always get injured, or the workplace could burn down, or any employee may eventually damage himself and so on. Whatever happens, an insurance policy that fits your business type will be ideal for saving time, money, and effort.

Also, remember meeting all the labor safety requirements depending on your business type.

For all that, here’s a list of things to do:

• Meet all the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Requirements
• Learn about general liability insurance
• Learn about business ownership policies
• Be familiar with compensation insurance for workers
• Consider auto insurance if you use vehicles
• Never forget about property insurance

Want to be safe when starting your woodworking business and protect yourself as much as possible? Then get a business lawyer. That would be your best choice in this case. Otherwise, follow our advice, and you’ll get far alone.

Focus on Advertisement and Marketing 

Once you have almost everything ready, including workplace, ideas, business plans, insurance, and legal parts, plus the economic side of the process – then you can start thinking about marketing and advertisement.

Many people think that an excellent product markets itself, and that’s true – partly.

Sometimes you also need to stick that product in front of people’s faces, even more so when it comes to woodworking goods.

Luckily, there are tons of opportunities to advertise and market your business nowadays. Here are a few factors to take into account:

Technology is Your Friend

With the internet and social media, getting your business out there is easier than ever. You can use ads, newsletters, blogs, videos, and many other helpful things to promote.

You just need to be sure of what you want your image to be and how to exploit that.

Some people like to hire social media managers or digital marketers. They always make the work easier when it comes to advertisement. But that also means a little more money to spend.

But you can always start with a self-made website and some social media profiles. If you learn how to promote it and get to the most people possible, then you’ll probably get far.

Don’t hesitate to get your personal brand out there either, that always brings a lot of people.

Portfolios and Samples

No one will hire or buy your products if you don’t have anything to show. For that, you should have a well-made portfolio and samples to display.

All your samples and portfolio should be on your social media profiles, website, and ads. You could also make videos making your products, which teaches and helps people know what you’re doing and gets far.

Whatever you can do to show that your work is valuable, that will bring more people to your business. Remember that imagery is what moves the world nowadays, and for woodworking that will be essential.

Events and Competitions

You could always enter your city’s competitions or events as a woodworking business. That would let you meet with other businesses, investors, or just buyers and customers who will buy your product or help you promote it.

These events and competitions can also be through the internet. So, don’t hesitate in putting your brand out there by showing what you’re capable of.

Giveaways and Promotions

Do you know why people love Black Fridays? Well, that’s precisely what you should do.

Make promotions or sales that could make it impossible for people to ignore what you’re doing. Eventually, that will attract the most people and pass the word around automatically. You could even end up selling your entire inventory and get into more people’s lives easily.

If that doesn’t work or you just want to add another marketing strategy, giveaways can always help you too.

If you can attract people and get their information, emails, and so on – that would be even better.

Consider Costs and Financing

This is probably the most critical factor of all. You’ll need to be sure that you can afford what it means creating a business – and it all starts with money.

There are several costs to consider, starting from the tools to the materials you’ll use. But several other things will have a considerable impact, such as:

• Additional tools or devices
• Workplace spending
• Website and social media
• Employers or hires (workers, marketers, lawyers, social media managers, accountants, etc.)
• Marketing and advertisement
• Miscellaneous

In total, you could see a cost of over $5,000 easily. And that could be much more money than you have or expect to spend. But sometimes this price can be even higher, so it’s essential to consider all the costs before really starting the business.

Financing

If you need much more money than you have, you could always let other people know about your business and possibly get some funding. But you’ll need a great business plan for that.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be hard as long as you know who to contact and why. Here are some helpful ideas to consider for financing your woodworking business from home:

• Use credit card caveats or benefits
• Ask investors in your area
• Create crowdfunding projects
• Partner with other people
• Let family or friends invest in your business
• Work with the government or municipalities

All these ideas can be beneficial to get your business going and afford all the initial costs if needed. Just remember that it takes compelling business goals and paths to make people invest in what you want to offer.

As a last resort, consider using your own personal savings for starting your business. That would leave you with no interest, debts, or other people’s expectations to meet. This also means less risk and much more satisfaction if all goes well.

Start Your Woodworking Business from Home Now!

So, are you ready to start your business from scratch, partner with other businesses, or just get your hands into a franchise name? Whatever you end up doing, take into account that a woodworking business from home is always possible to achieve.

There are hundreds of things to consider, but with the right mentality and motivation, getting far will be easy.

As long as woodworking is something you like and know how to do, then you’ll only need to learn about the business part.

Over time, you’ll be familiar with what it means to have a business like this. And if it fails or it just doesn’t get as far as you wanted, you’ll always have the experience and knowledge to use later.

So, don’t hesitate and start your woodworking business from home now – you won’t regret it!