A while back there was a query as to how to get started in a woodworking business. I had replied that my way was to contact a few furniture refinishing shops & try to get repair/replacement jobs.
Three weeks ago, I was contacted by a referrel from one of the refinishing shops I work for & asked to build a church alter. 3’x6′ top with an octogon pedastal & eight turned columns flanking the four corners. Red oak. Half the money up front to cover expences. Could I have it ready in a week? ‘Alters, I can build. Miracles are not my department.’ However, I did have a week of overtime available & offered to give it my best shot. Yesterday, the contractor came by for inspection & was blown away. Now, the alter sits in my kitchen waiting for showing to the church before it goes to the finisher. The tabernacle will be started this week. Tomorrow, the contractor & I go to meet with another church to check out another project. The contractor is already telling my my shop is too small and we’ll have to be looking at doing something about it.
I have a 12.5′ x 26.5′ fully equipped shop in my basement and am getting close to retirement from my day job – in fact the only thing holding me back is the woodworking is not quite steady enough to supplement my pension. My original thoughts were to try to build up a clientel for relatively small but quality pieces like chairs, curio cabinets and the like. I’ve done a couple sets of chippendale chairs & some small cabinetry , but now my shop may be way too small.
I knew that retirement didn’t mean that I could just stop working, but it looks as though at age 59, I could be embarking on a new career. I sure hope this guy isn’t just a ‘flash in the pan’. Time will tell. Yep, I know all the pitfalls & implications but it would be nice to work wood on a full time basis. I’ll keep you posted. I hope this wasn’t too much of a gloat, but I had to tell somebody. Besides, I’m sure some of you will help me cry in my beer if it all falls through. 🙂
Paul
Replies
Paul
Proceed with caution, good luck and "full steam ahead" proceeding with caution of course. ha.. ha...
Best of luck...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
What retirement! It sounds like good, hard work to me in something you like to do. It's also obvious that you are a fine woodworker.
Good Luck!!!
Of course, you have to make the final decisions about your investments, but be careful because lots of business fail because they spend too much too early on fancy stuff and expanding their expenses faster than their revenues. Good luck.
You may want to ask whether you can put a sign on the alter with your name and phone number...make sure the sign can be read from the back of the church. Seems reasonable to me, don't you think?
Good luck to you...I too am "retired" and thought going back to school would be a good idea. However, I'm getting innundated by requests for custom furniture projects! I agree with the earlier post that cautioned restraint in spending for stuff you don't absolutely need. And you may want to talk to someone about creating a business plan so you know exactly what your costs are...that's an area where many people underestimate their costs of staying in business. A farm isn't much good without a tractor, if you know what I mean!
Waynel5: If the Lord is your biggest customer, not too much can go wrong! Good luck.
Robbie
Paul,
Sounds great! The most important thing is that you are having fun. Just remember to go at it slow and test the waters first.
Cheers!
darkmagneto
Congratulations and good luck.
I have been thinking along the same lines - 61, getting a few commissions to build custom furniture, and hoping for more as I retire. Talked with David Marks of WoodWorks a week or so ago, and his advice was keep the overhead down; his shop is a converted barn on his own property. Mine is a 2 car garage. I would be sure you have consistent work that really requires a bigger shop before you jump into the high overhead.
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Charlie Plesums Austin, Texas
http://www.plesums.com/wood
Paul,
I build builtins and cabinetry in my 2 car garage. My real job is as a remodeling contractor. So I have tons of tools neatly cramed in the garage as well as 8 bikes, rockclimbing equip, backpacking stuff, 3 wind surf rigs, and the usuall lawn care stuff. But that is not the worst of it. I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old. I can never get any work done when they are at home for obvious reasons. I have talked to others like me who have had or do have a comercial business location. None of them complain about the cost of the rent. They all complain about govenment regulations that are overlooked in the home based work shop. Such as hazardous waste disposal, comercial spray booths, comercial dust collection systems, etc.
So I am bideing my time till I can buy a "spread" of at least 1 acre. Then I can have a seperate shop/office building. Not to mention parking space for 2 family cars, 1 work van, and a 12 foot trailer.
I would say you should jump on this oportunity. Buy or replace tools only as you need them. Instead of having an 8' sliding cabinet saw I have Rodolpho. I have taught Rodolpho every thing needed to be a second pair of hands in the shop. While I'm ripping, he's jointing; while I'm finishing, he's sanding, when I asemble he preps the next piece and passes clamps. I pay him 350 a week (very fair here in Dallas) and bonuses when I make more on a job than normal. I don't know if a helper is an option where you live. As long as you can keep up with the demand as is, don't change anything. When you feel like you can't keep up look for tools to speed up the operation.
Good Luck have fun,
Mike
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