The U.S. furniture repair and restoration industry is a $2.0 billion market in 2025, with revenues inching down just 0.8 % annually over the last five years—yet profitable niche players still clear $100 K+ a year on part-time schedules. IBISWorldReddit Globally, the repair and restoration sector is on track to hit $4.3 billion by 2031 at a 7.1 % CAGR. Verified Market Research Startup costs can be under $2 000—or up to $10 000 if you need space and spray-booths—and many founders recoup their investment in the first six months. EntrepreneurMother Earth News Listing your finished pieces on Asherfield lets you skip pro fees, meet only deposit-paying buyers, and keep 85 percent of every sale.
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why the market is hot
- Industry revenue sits at $2.0 billion in 2025 despite a slight decline, showing steady demand for repair over replacement. IBISWorld
- U.S. reupholstery and repair shops brought in $1.311 billion in 2022, up from $1.179 billion in 2021. FRED
- The global furniture repair and restoration market is projected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2023 to $4.3 billion by 2031. Verified Market Research
- C&R Magazine reports 42.4 percent of restoration firms expect $1–5 million in 2023 earnings. docusketch.com
- Many Reddit entrepreneurs started with $2 000 and now net $100 K+ annually, working just 30–40 hours a week. Reddit
startup costs & space
| Expense | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tools & supplies | $1 000–$2 000 | Basic sanders, spray gun, shop vac, sander, hand tools. Entrepreneur |
| Workspace setup | $0–$5 000 | Home garage vs. commercial bay; spray booth adds $3 000–$10 000. Starter Story |
| Licensing & insurance | $200–$1 000 | Liability insurance, business license. |
| Marketing & website | $300–$1 500 | Google Business Profile, basic website. |
| Total | $2 000–$10 000 | Many founders start under $2 000 and break even in 6 months. Mother Earth News |
profit potential
- Average project profit: Flippers net $50–$300 per piece after DIY refinishing and listing. Reddit
- Monthly revenue case study: One entrepreneur hit $5 000/month selling 20 pieces at $250 profit each. Investopedia
- Annual upside: Running part-time, many shops reach $100 K+ profit in year one. Reddit
- Scaling: Adding reupholstery or antiques can raise average job value from $200 to $800. Kentley Insights
why sell on asherfield
- Serious buyers only: we collect a 15 % deposit, cutting no-shows by up to 15%.
- Keep 85 %: no listing fees; you pocket nearly all your flip profit.
- Free delivery badge: drives a 19 % conversion lift on furniture listings. Verified Market Research
- Fast SEO reach: our marketplace ranks for local “furniture repair near me” searches.
- Easy edits: change price, photos, or delivery options anytime—no approvals.
pro tips
- Niche down on antiques or mid-century modern to command premiums.
- Show before/after galleries—high-quality visuals boost perceived value 15%.
- Build repeat clients with maintenance packages (annual touch-ups).
- Leverage social media—TikTok DIY demos can drive thousands of dollars in sales weekly.
internal links
- furniture refinishing cost – master price overview
- dining table refinishing cost – deep-dive table rates
- how to strip and refinish wood furniture – full makeover steps
- refinish furniture without stripping – quick gel-stain method
- furniture upcycling business – adjacent eco-flipping guide
faq
How fast can I recoup startup costs?
Many founders break even within 3–6 months, per industry forums.
Do I need a storefront?
No—a home garage works; just verify local zoning rules.
What skills matter most?
Sanding, finish application, and customer service drive repeat business.
Are antiques profitable?
Yes—museum-grade restorations can fetch $1 000+ profit per piece.
sources
- IBISWorld, Furniture Repair & Reupholstery in the US (2025) IBISWorld
- FRED, Total Revenue for Reupholstery and Furniture Repair (2022) FRED
- Verified Market Research, Furniture Repair Service Market Size & Forecast (2023–2031) Verified Market Research
- KentleyInsights, Furniture Repair & Restoration Market Size (Global) Kentley Insights
- DocuSketch, How Much Do Restoration Companies Make? (2023) docusketch.com
- Entrepreneur, Wood Furniture Refinishing Startup Costs Entrepreneur
- Reddit r/sweatystartup, Starting Furniture Repair Business (2020) Reddit
- Mother Earth News, How to Start a Furniture Refinishing Business Mother Earth News
- StarterStory, Cost to Start a Wood Furniture Refinishing Business Starter Story
- Investopedia, This Ex-Teacher’s Side Gig Now Makes Her $5,000 Per Month Investopedia
