More people are wondering if there is money in building furniture. The profit potential of being a furniture maker remains unclear. Are woodworkers’ skills in building furniture capable of bringing in extra money? Or should they treat it as a fun hobby?
I work with artisans who side hustle in building personalized furnishings. From this experience, I’ve gathered insights into the profit opportunities in furniture building.
Unlocking the Profit Potential: Can You Make Money Building Furniture?
How much you can earn building furniture for homes as a side business varies. It will depend on the caliber of your work, materials, tools, and woodworking expertise. Successful beginners can make $20-$50 per hour constructing basic pieces. More experienced builders who create high-end projects can earn over $100 per hour.
Turning Your Passion for Building Furniture into Profit
You can earn profits through building furniture by leveraging your woodworking skills. Strategically select profitable project types and invest in the proper tools and materials. This side hustle also involves determining reasonable pricing based on costs. Then, marketing to target audiences that prefer quality, handcrafted work.
Profit Margin on Handmade Furniture
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, woodworkers earn an average of $37,590. It’s easy to understand why a woodworker might want to do some custom handmade furniture work as a side hustle.
The actual profit margin of your side hustle projects will depend on your costs. What customers are willing to pay for several pieces from a furniture maker can also be a factor in projects.
Launch a Profitable Furniture-Making Business: How Do I Get Started Building Furniture?
I’m sharing a step-by-step guide on earning extra money despite market competition. For this example, the client orders a handcrafted dining room table.
| Way to Earn in Building Furniture | Actions to Take |
| Determine the project type | Research profitable furniture niches |
| Make blueprints or instructions | Create detailed plans for your projects |
| Use various types of wood | Choose affordable yet suitable wood types |
| Invest in the necessary tools | Shop for essential tools |
| Set pricing | Set prices based on the cost of materials, equipment, and labor |
| Finish and sell projects | Sell through online stores, craft fairs, word-of-mouth |
Determine the Project Type
The first step is deciding what kind of furniture you want to create in a small space. I started with building furniture like stools, end tables or coffee tables. I eventually moved on to several pieces with complex designs. Bookshelves, beds, and dressers all fit the project.
Develop Blueprints for Building Unique Pieces
You’ll need potential customers to approve the plan before you buy the materials. You can find plans for different kinds of projects online. This one has over 500 projects for just $15.
You can get instructions from magazines to design unique pieces from scratch.
Choose the Types of Wood
There are several types of wood to select from. Along with picking a wood style you like, you’ll also want to keep the price in mind. For example, the table size for seating eighteen would be 42 inches x 204 inches. I would get approximately 150 “board feet” of hickory. This will run around $6 per board foot.
Elm, beechwood, oak and walnut are common choices for most dining room or end tables.
Invest in Power Tools
When starting a business, invest in high-quality equipment, mainly commonly used power tools. This way, you won’t scramble to find a particular tool when needed.
- Table saw
- Carbide-tipped crosscut saw blade
- Dado blades
- Miter saw
- Miter gauge attachment
- Coping saw
- Doweling jig
- Chisels
- Hammer
- Measuring tape
- 8 to 10 clamps
- Minwax stain
Set Prices
Based on the steps above, the cost of the materials and tools amounts to $2,540.94. I will secure a deposit from the client. I would charge $6,000 for such a fine piece of work if I were an Amish furniture maker with a home-based shop.
The client has agreed to pay $6,000 for the table, leaving me with a net profit of $3,459.06. Net profit is the net profit divided by the revenue. In this case, my profit margin is 58%.
Finish and Sell Your Handmade Furniture Pieces
Once your piece is complete, it’s time to apply the final sanding and a finish. If you make the furniture without a buyer, list the items on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Amazon. Consider setting up a shop or selling them at craft fairs and flea markets.
Real-Life Example: Reverse Engineering a Handmade Coffee Table
I’ve repurposed a walnut coffee table measuring 45 inches X 24 inches. Assuming the thickness on the top of the coffee table is three inches, you can figure out how much wood you’ll need. You may save up on costs if you already have the right tools.
- Multiply the thickness (3 inches), the width (24 inches), and the length (45 inches) for the total. That is 3240.
- Divide this number by 144, and you’ll need 22.5 board feet of walnut wood. After adding 30%, you’ll need 29.5 board feet of walnut.
- A 47 x 28 slab priced at $800 will work for a wood coffee table.
- One board-foot is 12 x 12 x 1. Four of these should suffice for the legs. Most walnut wood costs about $8, amounting to $40.
- With stains and miscellaneous items, the whole thing should be ready for under $1,000.
You can sell the table for $1,500. This will have a net profit of $500 and a profit margin of 33%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make Extra Money From Woodworking?
Yes, you can earn extra cash from woodworking by building your own furniture designs. This is provided you correctly calculate costs and set reasonable prices. Key factors are controlling material and labor costs. Find a niche audience that values handcrafted work over mass-produced furniture.
Can You Make Money Building Outdoor Furniture?
Building outdoor furniture can be profitable. Potential customers will be in the market for quality patio and garden furnishings. At the same time, they will want to avoid paying high retail prices. Using less expensive woods like cedar and teak makes competitive sense. Also, focusing on sturdy designs, and advertising locally can make the job successful.
What Is a Side Hustle Building Furniture?
A side hustle in building furniture involves leveraging your skills. Use your tools to construct quality pieces like coffee tables in your spare time. Then, selling them for a supplemental income stream outside your regular job. It allows you to profit from a hobby while setting a flexible schedule and working in a small space.
Conclusion
While competitive pricing and material costs present challenges, building furniture can be profitable. With the right side hustle knowledge, you can target a niche audience. Understand your profit margins and establish the proper price points. Focus on clients who value handcrafted pieces to maximize your earnings potential.
