furniture renovation?

paulwf

A junk shop next to where I used to work used to do this occasionally - get old school desks at next to nothing and paint them up for children's bedrooms. Why they didn't do more of it I don't know as they sold immediately.

As well as giving the idea a trial OP your next stage should be to write out a business plan so you can plan what profit margins are required and what obstacles you face. Make sure your profits allow for ebay fees, fraud, warranty returns (you need to offer some level of guarantee) and some pieces just won't sell or will sell below cost.

I also think you need to streamline the process as much as possible, that is the only way you will make proper money in the long term. That may mean having trade contacts who turn up with a lorry load of decent items at a good price so you don't waste 1 day a week trawling the markets. Alternatively it may mean having a buyer who takes everything you produce so you don't have to faff around with ebay and couriers. In my business my suppliers have to work like clockwork, its a major headache if they let me down so I focus on getting the best suppliers.

Savvy_Sue

The other beauty of a business plan is it helps you plot your progress: you'll have to lay some money out initially on paints etc, you may make mistakes initially, and it may be a matter of trial and error as to what sells and how you get it to the buyer. But if you don't have a plan, you won't know whether your business is working as it should be.

I hope as well as power tools you've got the PPE you need: face mask, goggles, ear defenders all spring to mind ... I also hope your dad's neighbours don't mind any noise you make, or the vans making deliveries / doing pick ups. I hope you'll have insurance, and that his insurers and mortgage company are informed and don't object. And I really really hope your dad isn't renting his house, because it's usually a condition in the tenancy agreement NOT to run a business, and while you can usually get round this if the business isn't going to create a 'nuisance', this does have the potential to do that.

But to end on a more positive note, if you only need the van one day a week, why not see if you can find a local 'man with van' who will give you a good rate in return for a regular day or half day work each week?

lincroft1710

If you're using a domestic outhouse as a commercial workshop you may well find you will need planning permission for a change of use and also subsequently an assessment for business rates.

danielle-adams

Thank you again for all your replies...this is all extremely helpful!!

My mum and dad own the house so that's 1 tick I guess!! Do you know where I should look for suppliers of second hand furniture who would drop off or 'trade contacts' as paulwf' said I've never really heard of anyone who does that so haven't thought about it until now.

I won't be registering as a business until I see how some bits of furniture sell that my dad has after I do them up as a test. But I will definately be drafting out a decent business plan. I have been looking more into the paints as well...and as much as I hate the idea of designer paint....items that have used Farrow and Ball seem to be going for a lot more and have more bids so it's look like it's an investment that pays off.....as my dad has 2 dressers, do you think it's worth painting 1 in farrow and ball and then the other in a matched recipe paint to see if it makes a massive difference??

I have no PPE yet!! :cool: Naughty I know but I didn't think I would need much as the most I will be using is an electric sander to begin with as I am no carpenter just yet!!

I am getting a bit scared with the thought of fraud and warranty claims. How much warranty do you put on a refurbished piece of furniture??? I'm sure noise won't be an issue....luckily it's quite a large detached property and the outhouse is separate and they only have 1 neighbour who is very friendly.

Does anyone know where I can start for creating a business plan...templates/books/sites etc?

I'm sorry if I sound a bit amateur but I guess we all start somewhere!! :cool:

Savvy_Sue

danielle-adams wrote: »

I have no PPE yet!! :cool: Naughty I know but I didn't think I would need much as the most I will be using is an electric sander to begin with as I am no carpenter just yet!!

<snip>

I'm sorry if I sound a bit amateur but I guess we all start somewhere!! :cool:

we do all start somewhere, but please get yourself the PPE you need, BEFORE you get sawdust in your eye and in your lungs!

Has anyone mentioned Businesslink yet?

danielle-adams

You will be happy to know I have ordered my PPE - can't afford to be getting ill!!

I've also downloaded a business plan template and am vigerously reading through all the bumf!!

I'm a bit excited now. Research is defnately the key....I think once I start making a profit I can see the business building up and freeing up a bit of money to buy better quality furniture ....the big aim on several year is to have a little shop/workshop of my own and maybe some staff!
x

COOLTRIKERCHICK

I would forget about the thought of employing staff, just think about NOW.....I personally wouldnt pay top wack prcies for furniture.... have you got a local amenity site that you could poss buy a few bits from? put a notice in your local shop window, saying something like 'wanted old wooden furniture for recycling project'

Again i would start off with small bits of furniture, to get yourself experienced... maybe some kitchen chairs, and re-upholster them with pretty fabric....these might not be big money earners, but they are reletavely quick to do, and lots of people have room for a chair etc..

small bits of furniture will be quicker to sell, chairs, little tables, bookshelves wall display cabinets etc,,,,

here are some bits i have done..to give you an idea,the writting desk i had foe noting, and the old 1930's hand made sewing box i had off ebay for approx £2

COOLTRIKERCHICK

forgot here are the before pis of the desk

Norman_Castle

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I am no expert in the renovations business, but would this be the reason F&B are so 'in' these days?



In other words, if you don't go for F&B, you may want to consider paints making similar claims.

Since Jan 1st 2011 all paints have to comply with low VOC legislation.

danielle-adams

Thank you so much for the examples COOLTRIKERCHICK!! How long did they take to do and how did you do them? Sanding down, primer etc? Is this something you do as a hobby or job?

Also, how far does 2.5L of The Farrow and Ball paint go?.....would it cover 1 or 2 desks?

Sorry for all the questions...your help is much appreciated....feel free to PM me if that is better for you