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- Up to pillar: furniture flipping beginner guide
- Sideways: is flipping furniture profitable?
- Over to sourcing: where to find furniture to flip
- Over to items list: best furniture to flip for profit
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Why pricing matters
Smart prices turn hard work into cash. Too low, you lose money. Too high, pieces sit. This guide shows flipping furniture for profit in four easy steps: count costs, set markup, track labor, and tweak until you hit your goal.
1. Know your true cost
Add every penny you spend:
| Cost type | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Buy price | $0–$50 | Thrift finds, curbside, estate sales |
| Supplies | $10–$25 | Paint, sandpaper, new knobs |
| Transport | $0–$15 | Gas or truck rental share |
| Tools | One-time | Drill, sander (spread cost over many flips) |
| Labor value | $15/hr starter | Pay yourself—even if only on paper |
Example: $25 dresser + $15 paint + $10 gas + 2 hours labor at $15/hr = $80 true cost.
2. Pick your markup
Markup = how much over cost you charge.
| Skill level | Markup rule | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2× total cost | Quick sales, builds reviews |
| Side hustler | 2.5–3× cost | Covers errors + time off |
| Pro flipper | 3–4× cost | Brand, quality, audience trust |
Tip: Check sold prices on Asherfield to see real market rates before listing.
3. Track labor for real hourly pay
- Time every task. Cleaning, sanding, painting, staging.
- Log hours in a simple sheet. Piece name | hours | supply notes.
- Divide net profit by hours. That’s your true wage.
Goal: Aim for at least $20/hour. Adjust markup or speed if lower.
4. Calculate net profit
Use this fast formula:
textCopyEditSale price – (buy price + supplies + transport) = gross profit
Gross profit – labor pay you set = net profit
Selling on Asherfield? Remember:
- Buyers pay a 15% deposit that covers Asherfield’s fee.
- You pocket the remaining 85% at pickup.
- No listing fees = no extra surprise costs.
So your net profit is simply the 85% you receive minus your buy price, supplies, and transport.
Example continued:
- True cost = $80
- Markup 3× → list for $240
- Sale splits: buyer deposit $72 (15%), you get $168 (85%)
- Net profit = $168 – $80 = $88
- Hourly rate = $88 ÷ 2 hrs = $44/hr
Quick profit boosters
- Buy lower. Haggle at yard sales; every $5 saved is $5 earned.
- Batch work. Paint three pieces together; saves setup time.
- Offer delivery. Add $20–$40 to price; faster sales.
- Use trending colors. Sage, matte black, warm oak tones move fast.
- List on Asherfield first. Serious buyers pay deposits—no flakes chewing your time.
FAQ
What markup is too high? If a piece sits 30 days with no bites, drop 10 %.
Do fancy knobs pay off? Yes—$8 in hardware can raise price $25+.
What if supplies cost more than the piece? Pass unless it sells at 3–4× cost.
How do pros hit $200+ profit each? They flip solid-wood dressers, value time high, and stage pro photos.
Can I reuse supplies? Yes—primer, rollers, sandpaper grits stretch over many flips. Track partial costs.
Your next step
Grab our free pricing worksheet inside the is flipping furniture profitable? post, fill in your next project costs, pick a markup, and list on Asherfield. Tight numbers = healthy margins—start today and watch each flip put more money back in your pocket.
