How to set up a joinery business

min read

Create a joinery business plan

Writing your business plan is a vital first step if you want to start your own business. It serves as your roadmap to business success, detailing your goals for entrepreneurship and how you plan to achieve them. Getting started may leave you feeling apprehensive, especially if getting words on the page isn’t your strong point. But you don’t need to be the best writer in the world to produce a solid business plan. Your passion and talent will be the fuel you need to write a business plan you’re proud of.

Your business plan should include the following:

Your business goals: What your business stands for, what you’re looking to achieve and how you’ll work to meet your aspirations
Costs: How do you plan on financing your business, equipment and any additional costs?
Your services: Where your talents lie, what areas of joinery you plan to specialise in
Managing your finances: Are you looking to hire an accountant to oversee your finances, or will you manage them yourself?
How much you’ll charge: What are your profit-making plans? How will your business make money?
Marketing plans: How you’ll market your business and reach new customers

For more information and support in creating your business plan, take a look at our guide to writing a business plan.

What do you need to start up a joinery business?

There are numerous areas you need to consider when setting up a joinery business. We’ll cover each of them in detail below, so you know what you need to tick off to get the ball rolling.

Qualifications

While you aren’t legally required to have any specific qualifications to become a joiner, they can certainly boost your business’ credibility. Having qualifications to your name can demonstrate to your customers that you have the experience and knowledge to deliver top-quality service. This can help build trust and may encourage your customers to return to you in the future.

A great place to start is City and Guilds’ Carpentry and Joinery qualification, where you’ll cover numerous key areas of the trade including health and safety, and how to plan and price construction work. Other relevant college courses include Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery and T Level On-site Construction, which can give you the knowledge and confidence you need to kickstart your business.

Become a member of a joinery board

Joining a joinery board can be another way to secure trust from your customers. For example, you may choose to join the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) or The Guild of Master Craftsmen. Not only will this demonstrate your commitment to your trade, but you’ll also connect with like-minded tradespeople who you can learn from. Certain joinery boards entitle you to discounts too, such as B&Q/TradePoint discounts as a Guild of Master Craftsmen member. Keep in mind that these boards often require payment to join, and some may require proof of qualifications.

Equipment and transportation

Having the right tools for your joinery business allows you to take on a variety of different projects and clients, and deliver the best possible service. The more reliable your tools are, the better job you’ll deliver.

We’ve put together this list of just some of the essential tools you’ll need to start your joinery business:

Measuring tools
Chisels
Clamps
Hammers and mallets
Saws
Drills
Workbench
Power tools
Sanding tools

Another key and often overlooked consideration is reliable and secure transportation for your joinery business. You’ll need a van or truck with plenty of space that you can rely on, so you can get to jobs efficiently and transport tools and materials safely.

Insurance

Insurance is a crucial element of starting your joinery business. Accidents can happen when you least expect it, and with such a manual job, you’ll want to protect yourself and your business from the worst happening. First things first, you’ll need to find out what business insurance you need. If you’re planning on hiring others to work with you, you’re legally required to take out employer’s liability insurance. While not a legal requirement, public liability insurance can offer you the peace of mind that should you be taken to court as a result of someone being injured or killed because of your business, you have protection. It also covers legal costs or any compensation you need to pay as a result of property damage.

You’ll also want to ensure your business equipment and assets are covered, to protect against damage, loss or theft.

Certification

If you plan on working on a construction site, you’ll need a CSCS card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme). A CSCS card is a legal requirement should you do any work on a construction site, so applying for one could open the door to greater opportunities.

Finding a good materials supplier

When it comes to joinery, the quality of materials you work with is just as important as how you use them. Choosing a good merchant ensures you’ll always have consistent, sustainably sourced and durable materials which can improve your business’ reputation and overall service.

Remember those joinery boards we mentioned earlier? Well, they can also be a great resource to find reputable merchants based on feedback from others in your industry. It’s also worth visiting the merchants you’re considering using in person, to ensure they provide the quality they say they do.

Commercial awareness and customer service

It takes more than just being good with your hands to run a successful joinery business. Soft skills like being commercially aware and knowing how to manage clients effectively are essential for long-term success.

Being commercially aware is all about thinking like a business owner and understanding where your joinery business sits in the market. Keep an eye on the joinery industry and any new design styles or customer preferences you can capitalise on, to set you apart from your competitors.

Strong customer relationships are the driving force behind your business. The more satisfied a customer is with your service, the more likely they are to recommend you to their network. Your communication skills should be top-notch - be sure to keep clients informed of their project, its progress and any issues that should arise. Make sure you set clear expectations early on of what is possible when it comes to timelines and costs. By mastering both the physical side of your job and the business elements, you’ll soon have a thriving business to be proud of.

How much could you earn running a joinery business?

How much you could earn as a joinery business owner depends on a variety of factors, from your level of expertise to the average rates in your area. As mentioned earlier, prioritising your business plan and forecasting cash flow can give you a good idea of how much you could earn. The average salary for joiners in the UK is around £30,175 per year.

Your earnings ultimately come down to how much you charge for your services. It’s important not to undersell yourself, but equally don’t overprice your services either. Carrying out market research is vital to setting a competitive rate. Research what other joiners in your local area are charging for similar services, and also consider your level of expertise and whether you’ll offer specialised services such as custom-made furniture.

Registering a joinery business

Next, you’ll need to decide on the structure of your new business. As a joiner, you’ll need to decide whether to register your business as a limited company, or operate as a sole trader.

Operating as a sole trader essentially means you’re self-employed and you’ll need to register with HMRC to let them know. Whereas, if you decide to form a limited company you’ll need to register your business with Companies House, which you can do yourself for a £50 fee, or through SUAZ for free (yes, really!).

A key difference between working as a sole trader or forming a limited company is limited liability. As a limited company, you have legal protection should your business experience financial difficulty. You won’t be personally affected, as your business is treated as a separate legal entity. Whereas, as a sole trader your personal assets may be at risk should your business struggle with debts, financial losses or liabilities. Take a look at our guide to sole trader vs limited company for more details.

Marketing yourself

Marketing your business both online and offline is vital for securing a steady flow of work and loyal customer base. Without it, how are your potential customers going to know you exist?

Marketing doesn’t need to be elaborate or complex to be successful. While focusing on online channels such as social media and your website is important, offline methods are still valuable, especially for a local business. You could choose to distribute flyers or brochures in your local area, brand your vehicle with your business name and logo, and build relationships with other local businesses to get your name out there.

Being visible online is crucial for attracting new customers. Your website is your business’ digital storefront, there to showcase your services, what you stand for and what you can offer your customers. Make sure your website is user-friendly and is optimised for search engines. Using social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook is a great way for joiners to showcase their work visually and connect with potential clients.

Remember, it’s all well and good ticking these marketing activities off but your marketing efforts need to be consistent to be successful. Make sure to regularly update your website and post on social media as much as possible to keep your business visible and relevant.

Ready to start your joinery business?

A successful joinery business requires more than just skilled craftsmanship - it also takes a lot of hard work and commitment. But with a solid business plan, reliable tools and materials, and consistent marketing, you can quickly turn your passion into profit.

Looking to set up your own joinery business? SUAZ can make the process a whole lot easier. You can register your limited company for free, with help and support whenever you need it. Start your own joinery business today - you’ve got no reason to wait.