Getting Started

How to Launch Your Antique Restoration Business

Starting an antique restoration business requires technical skill, business planning, and a clear understanding of your market. Unlike many service businesses, restoration work demands both craftsmanship and trust—customers are entrusting you with irreplaceable pieces. Your launch needs to reflect that responsibility while building a sustainable operation that attracts steady projects.

This guide walks you through the practical steps to get your antique restoration business running, from your first week through your first three months of operation.

Your Step-by-Step Launch Plan

1. Define your restoration specialization: Antique restoration is broad. Decide whether you focus on furniture, ceramics, paintings, clocks, leather goods, or a combination. Your specialization determines your equipment, materials, certifications, and customer base. A furniture restorer needs different tools than someone specializing in textile or painting restoration.
2. Research local regulations and licensing: Requirements vary by location. Some regions require you to be licensed as a craftsperson or artisan, especially if you work with chemicals or finishes. Check with your local business licensing office and your state’s consumer protection board. Document all requirements now.
3. Set up your workspace: You need a dedicated area for restoration work—separate from living space due to dust, fumes, and chemical storage. A garage, basement, or small studio works. Ensure adequate ventilation, natural light, and shelving for materials and in-progress pieces. Budget $2,000–$5,000 for workspace setup and organization.
4. Acquire essential tools and materials: Start with core tools relevant to your specialty: sanding equipment, brushes, stains, finishes, glues, safety gear, and documentation tools (camera, notebook). Don’t buy everything at once. Invest in quality essentials first and add specialty tools as projects require them. Expect $1,500–$3,500 for starter inventory.
5. Create a portfolio of before-and-after photos: This is your primary marketing asset. Document several past projects (your own pieces, friends’ items, or volunteer work). Take high-quality photos of the damaged state, your restoration process, and the finished result. Aim for at least 5–8 complete project examples before launching publicly.
6. Set your pricing structure: Research local rates for similar work. Pricing typically ranges from $500–$2,000+ per project depending on complexity, size, and materials. Some restorers charge hourly ($40–$75/hour) plus materials; others quote per project. Create a clear pricing framework so you can quote consistently and profitably.
7. Build your online presence: Create a simple website showcasing your portfolio, services, and contact information. Include your before-and-after gallery prominently. A professional Instagram account works well for visual work like antique restoration. Both should make it easy for potential customers to request a quote or consultation.
8. Establish business legals: Register your business, obtain an EIN, and secure proper insurance (liability and tools/inventory coverage). See the Legal Basics section below for details on structure and insurance specific to restoration work.

Your First Week

• Choose your restoration specialty and document why it fits your skills and market.
• Call your local business licensing office and your state’s craft/artisan licensing board. Ask about specific requirements for your specialty.
• Scout and reserve your workspace. Confirm ventilation and access to utilities.
• Make a list of essential tools and materials you need to buy first—prioritize the most-used items.
• Organize a photo shoot of 2–3 past restoration projects (if available). Take before, during, and after photos in good lighting.
• Research five local competitors or similar businesses. Note their pricing, how they describe their work, and where they advertise.
• Decide on your business structure (sole proprietor vs. LLC) and register your business name.

Your First Month

Focus on building infrastructure rather than rushing to take on clients. Complete your workspace setup, acquire your core tools and materials, and finish your portfolio. You should have at least 5–8 before-and-after examples ready to show prospects. Use this time to create simple, clear documentation of your process: what types of pieces you accept, turnaround times, pricing tiers, and terms (deposits, cancellation policy, liability limits). Many restorers ask for a non-refundable deposit (25–50% of the project cost) upfront.

Finalize your business registration, obtain your EIN, and purchase liability insurance and tools/inventory coverage. Set up a simple system for tracking projects—a spreadsheet or basic project management tool where you log each piece, the customer, the work done, materials used, time spent, and final cost. This becomes critical data for refining your pricing and business decisions later.

Your First 3 Months

By the end of month three, you should have completed your first 2–4 client projects and added their results to your portfolio. Your goal is to establish repeatable processes and consistent quality so you can confidently quote new work and deliver on time. Track your actual labor hours, materials costs, and revenue from each project so you can see whether your pricing is profitable. Many new restorers underprice because they underestimate labor time; track this carefully.

Use early client feedback to refine your service offering. You may discover that certain types of pieces or restoration methods are more profitable or enjoyable than others. Your specialization may narrow further based on real-world experience. By month three, you should also have reliable referral sources or a small repeat client base forming, even if it’s just word-of-mouth from friends and family.

Legal Basics

Most antique restorers operate as a sole proprietor or limited liability company (LLC). A sole proprietor is simpler and cheaper to set up—you file a DBA (doing business as) form with your county and pay a small fee. An LLC requires more paperwork and an annual fee ($100–$500 depending on your state) but provides liability protection if something goes wrong. Given that you’re handling valuable client property, an LLC offers useful protection and is worth the modest extra cost and complexity.

Licensing requirements vary by location. Some states or counties require a trade license or artisan license, especially if you use certain chemicals or finishes. Contact your state licensing board and local business licensing office to confirm what applies to your specific restoration specialty. Some specializations (like painting restoration) may have heritage or conservation standards you should follow. Look into the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) standards relevant to your work.

Insurance is essential. At minimum, you need general liability coverage (typically $300–$600/year) to protect you if a client’s piece is damaged while in your care, and tools/inventory coverage to protect your workspace and equipment. Some insurers offer specific “bailee” coverage for items in your possession. Work with an insurance broker who understands craft or artisan businesses to get appropriate coverage. For more detail on legal structure and insurance, visit our legal basics guide.

Common Launch Mistakes

• Underestimating labor costs: Beginners often fail to track their actual time spent on projects. A piece that looks “simple” may take 30 hours. Track every hour for your first 10 projects so you understand true labor costs and can price accurately going forward.
• Taking on work outside your specialty: Accepting a commission in an unfamiliar material or style to “build experience” often results in poor quality, cost overruns, and unhappy clients. Stick to what you do well until you’re profitable and can invest in expanding your skills.
• Skipping insurance: If a client piece is damaged while in your care, you’re personally liable. Insurance protects both you and your customer. Don’t operate without it.
• Poor before-and-after documentation: Your portfolio is your sales tool. Rushed or poor-quality photos hurt your credibility. Invest in good lighting and a decent camera or smartphone. Professional photos matter.
• No written agreements: Verbal quotes and handshake deals lead to disputes. Use a simple written estimate or contract for every project that spells out the scope, cost, timeline, and liability limits. Protect yourself.
• Pricing too low to seem competitive: Underpricing doesn’t build a sustainable business and signals low quality to potential clients. Research actual local rates and price according to your experience level and overhead, not on guesswork.
• Neglecting your workspace ventilation: Many restoration processes produce dust or chemical fumes. Poor ventilation damages your health and limits how much work you can do. Invest in proper ventilation from day one.

Launching an antique restoration business is manageable if you focus on solid fundamentals: a clear specialization, professional portfolio, fair pricing, and proper legal protection. Your first three months are about building a foundation for repeatable, profitable work. For help developing a full business plan, see our business planning guide. Once you have your core business operating smoothly, consider how you’ll grow online—our online launch guide covers digital marketing and e-commerce options relevant to craft businesses.