20 Business Ideas For Carpenters [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a carpenter in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a carpenter could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for carpenters?
We put together 20 of some of the best carpenter business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other carpenter businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a furniture business ($207K/month)
Starting a furniture business could be a seamless extension of your carpentry skills, allowing you to capitalize on your craftsmanship and experience. You could focus on designing and manufacturing furniture for various niches such as office spaces, homes, or luxury market segments. With the real estate industry’s growth and the rise of flexible workspaces, there is a steady demand for bespoke, high-quality furniture.
This business does not require a significant initial investment, making it a viable option for a side business or a full-time venture. However, preparation is key—consider taking business classes and conducting thorough market research to understand local demands better. If your furniture pieces are unique and made with exceptional craftsmanship, consumers are often willing to pay a premium price, even covering substantial shipping costs.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $999,999/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.
2. Start a woodworking business ($15.8K/month)
As a skilled carpenter, you could turn your passion for woodworking into a lucrative side business. Starting a woodworking business allows you to supplement your income by creating custom wood pieces, flipping furniture, or even teaching woodworking techniques to others. The skills you already possess can be harnessed to produce unique, handcrafted items that people are willing to pay a premium for.
Furthermore, operating a woodworking business from home gives you the flexibility to set your own schedule and scale the business as you gain more clients. Whether through direct sales, custom orders, or a woodworking blog, the avenues for earning are broad and varied. With the potential for unlimited earnings, this venture could grow from a side hustle into a full-time business.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $40,001/month
How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.
3. Start an art business ($61.4K/month)
Starting an art business could be a great fit for carpenters who have a passion for creativity and design. With your woodworking skills, you could create unique, handcrafted wooden art pieces that appeal to niche markets. Whether it's intricately carved sculptures, custom furniture with artistic flair, or decorative home items, your craftsmanship can set your work apart.
You could sell your pieces online, on platforms like Etsy, where there's a high demand for one-of-a-kind, handmade items. Participating in local craft fairs, flea markets, or collaborating with galleries can help you reach wider audiences. This side business not only offers the flexibility to work on your schedule but also the potential for a lucrative income stream while doing something you truly enjoy.
How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
4. Start an auto parts shop ($375K/month)
As a carpenter with entrepreneurial ambitions, you could channel your expertise in tools and materials into starting an auto parts shop as a side business. The skills you already have in sourcing quality products and understanding customer needs would be highly transferrable to the automobile industry, making it a natural extension of your existing career.
Given that many auto parts businesses operate part-time, this opportunity could allow you to supplement your income while gradually building a new revenue stream. Additionally, following key steps like picking a strategic location, conducting thorough market research, and securing necessary permits, you could set a solid foundation for a successful and potentially lucrative venture.
Operating an auto parts shop would capitalize on the high demand for automotive supplies, offering a reliable way to diversify your income. By leveraging your existing skills and understanding of material quality, you could establish a profitable business that complements your career in carpentry.
How much you can make: $9,000 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
This case study follows an inspiring 22-year-old entrepreneur who started an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories, making 5x the amount of money he used to make per month, and generated over $90,000 in sales last year.
5. Start an outdoor sports store ($31.4K/month)
As a carpenter with hands-on skills and a passion for precision, starting an outdoor sports store could be an exciting and profitable side venture. You could leverage your craftsmanship to design and build custom display units and fixtures, giving your store a unique and professional ambiance. Your existing knowledge of tools and materials would make it easier for you to understand the quality and durability of the outdoor gear you sell, allowing you to offer expert advice to customers.
Additionally, setting up shop in a location that attracts outdoor enthusiasts or creating an online store could broaden your market reach. Building relationships with suppliers and understanding seasonal product demands will be key steps, just as sourcing quality materials is in carpentry. Hosting workshops or demo days could further cement your reputation as an expert, driving both community engagement and sales.
This venture could not only supplement your income but also give you an opportunity to blend your love for the outdoors with your carpentry skills, creating a rewarding business that offers a perfect work-life balance.
How much you can make: $1,985 — $125,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Australian woman launches affordable activewear store with only $150 and now sees over $1.5 million a year in revenue, using Shopify as the sales platform and Facebook and Instagram campaigns as the best source of advertising.
6. Start a clothing boutique ($122K/month)
As a carpenter with a keen eye for craftsmanship, you could leverage your skills in a new way by opening a clothing boutique. If you have an interest in fashion and a knack for spotting trends, this venture allows you to tap into the lucrative fashion retail industry while becoming your own boss. You'll need to identify your target customers, curate inventory to match their tastes, and use social media marketing to build a loyal customer base.
Leveraging your adeptness at customization from carpentry, you could offer unique, niche segments like petite, plus-size, or budget-conscious clothing that often get overlooked by larger retailers. The attention to detail and creativity you bring to carpentry can similarly be applied to selecting and presenting high-quality, unique clothing items. This entrepreneurial avenue not only supplements your income but also allows you to explore a different aspect of creativity and customer service, making it a fulfilling side business or even a full-time venture in the future.
How much you can make: $500 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
7. Start a clothes business ($221K/month)
For carpenters looking to diversify their income, starting a clothes business could be a practical and profitable venture. Leveraging your precision and craftsmanship, you could create a niche in high-quality, handcrafted fashion items, such as bespoke leather accessories or unique wooden buttons. This niche approach could set you apart in an industry where demand for distinctive, artisanal clothing is on the rise.
Additionally, your existing workshop skills could be translated into creating custom-made apparel, focusing on durability and aesthetics, which are highly valued in today’s market. Consider exploring niches like streetwear, athletic wear, or leisure clothing to cater to various consumer needs. This blend of creativity and hands-on skills offers an exciting way to supplement your income or even build a thriving side business.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,333,333/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Bryden is a clothing manufacturing agency that offers an end-to-end service to fashion brands all over the world, serving customers in over 20 countries and bringing in an average monthly revenue of $74,000 within just a few years of launching.
8. Start a home decor business ($43.4K/month)
As a carpenter, you could leverage your craftsmanship to start a home decor business, blending your woodworking skills with interior design to create unique pieces. This venture would allow you to diversify your income while showcasing your talent in a different light. By crafting bespoke furniture, custom shelving, and stylish home accents, you could offer high-quality, personalized touches to clients' homes.
To kickstart this side hustle, you could first build a strong portfolio. Utilize your own home or offer to revamp a friend’s space to showcase your abilities in home decor. Documentation of your work with high-quality photos will be essential in marketing your business and attracting potential clients, thus increasing your chances of success.
Ultimately, turning your carpentry skills into a home decor business aligns perfectly with current trends, enabling you to capitalize on your existing expertise and passion while providing a new revenue stream.
How much you can make: $400 — $415,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Less is More Organizing Services, founded by Sarah Giller Nelson, is a home organizing service that operates in two states, serving an average of 95 households per year with an 85% repeat customer rate, offering services by the hour with a 4-hour minimum, and using a guided decluttering process to help customers achieve their goals.
9. Make a body care products ($44.3K/month)
As a carpenter, you could tap into the growing consumer interest in self-care and natural products by starting a body care product line. This entrepreneurial venture could involve creating items like soaps, lotions, and scrubs, which you could craft with the same meticulous attention to detail you apply to your carpentry projects. Designing attractive packaging, perhaps using eco-friendly materials, could also allow you to leverage your skill set in working with different textures and finishes.
By offering unique formulations and sustainable packaging, you could cater to a niche market, aiming to address both wellness and environmental concerns. With dedication and research into quality ingredients, you could start selling these products through online platforms like Etsy or your own website, eliminating the need for the overhead of a physical store.
If creating tangible products that help people feel better piques your interest, then a body care product line might be the ideal side business to start. Combining your creativity with current market trends, this endeavor could evolve into a well-loved brand.
How much you can make: $300 — $200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Heliotrope San Francisco is an all-natural skincare line that started as a small shop in the Bay Area over ten years ago, choosing slow, sustainable growth, and expects to earn approximately $250K in sales this year.
10. Start a leather business ($59.3K/month)
As a carpenter, starting a leather business could be a natural extension of your craftsmanship. Both carpentry and leathercraft involve precision, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for high-quality materials. By leveraging your existing skills with tools and design, you could create exquisite leather products like wallets, bags, belts, and footwear, which are always in demand.
You already understand the importance of sourcing premium materials, so acquiring high-quality leather hides would be a familiar step. Opening an online store and utilizing platforms like Etsy could help you reach a broader audience, while social media marketing would showcase your unique creations and craftsmanship. This venture could not only supplement your income but also diversify your portfolio, allowing you to build a brand synonymous with quality and style.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Jacques Flynn founded the leather goods company, JAQET, with $500, producing meticulously handcrafted wallets and card holders which are now sold in boutiques globally, with Shopify as the platform.
11. Start a soap business ($67K/month)
Starting a soap business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a carpenter. Given your hands-on skills and attention to detail, you could easily transition into crafting bespoke, high-quality soaps. With an initial investment of less than $1,000, you can set up a home-based operation that allows you to work during your free time and still earn good cash.
The beauty of the soap-making industry is its simplicity; it doesn’t require extensive training or high overhead costs, making it a practical side hustle. Plus, with the booming market for skincare products, especially online, breaking into this field may be easier than you'd expect. With dedication and creativity, you could carve out a niche for yourself in this lucrative and growing industry.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $380,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Outlaw Soaps, a soap company that started with just $13.72 of supplies, now makes an average of $23,000/month, with 46% of website orders from repeat customers who are loyal to the company's unique products and top-notch customer service.
12. Start a jewelry making business ($248K/month)
As a carpenter, you could leverage your skills and craftsmanship to create unique, handcrafted jewelry pieces. By using your knowledge of wood and other materials, you could design and build distinctive wooden jewelry that stands out in a market valued at $278 billion and expected to reach $292 billion by 2025. This niche could allow you to supplement your income while exploring new creative horizons.
Given that the jewelry industry has remained relatively untouched by significant technological advances for over 40 years, your traditional carpentry skills are well-suited to the craft. Whether it's creating bespoke wooden necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, your expertise could set you apart and attract a dedicated customer base. With minimal initial investment, turning your carpentry talents into a jewelry side business could be a rewarding and profitable venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
13. Start a bedding company ($741K/month)
As a carpenter, you could find that starting a bedding company aligns well with your skill set and entrepreneurial spirit. Leveraging your attention to detail and craftsmanship, you could create custom bed frames or headboards that pair perfectly with high-quality mattresses, sheets, or pillows, offering a full package to your customers.
Additionally, you could focus on a niche within the bedding market, such as luxury linens or affordable high-quality sheets, to differentiate yourself and meet diverse consumer needs. Partnering with reliable manufacturers for your bedding materials and utilizing robust digital marketing strategies, including a professional website and active social media presence, could turn your side business into a lucrative venture. This approach allows you to capitalize on the growing demand for quality sleep products while supplementing your income as a carpenter.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $3,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)
Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.
14. Start a natural beauty product business ($66.8K/month)
For carpenters looking to diversify their income, starting a natural beauty product business could be a promising venture. Utilizing skills in working with natural materials, you could easily branch into creating handcrafted items like natural soap dishes or wooden packaging for aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter-based beauty products. These additional items could further enhance the appeal of your beauty products, ultimately adding value and uniqueness to your brand.
Considering that the global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021, there is significant potential for growth in this industry. As someone skilled in craftsmanship and attention to detail, your ability to create high-quality, eco-friendly beauty products could resonate well with consumers who are increasingly seeking natural and sustainable alternatives.
Furthermore, you could leverage your workshop to manufacture both the beauty products and their unique, attractive wooden containers, thus maximizing your resources and boosting your overall income. Explore our case studies below to see how other entrepreneurs have successfully entered this market and how you could follow in their footsteps.
How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
15. Start a dog treat business ($635K/month)
Starting a dog treat business could be a smart move for a carpenter looking to diversify income streams. If you enjoy baking and love dogs, you could combine these interests to create healthy, natural, and tasty treats. Your attention to detail and craftsmanship will easily translate into the creativity and precision needed to develop unique treat recipes that cater to both nutritional requirements and taste.
Additionally, introducing specialty services like custom birthday cakes and holiday gift boxes could set your business apart in the dog food market. You could leverage online sales platforms and local markets to sell your homemade dog treats, turning it into a thriving side business or even a full-time venture. This approach offers a rewarding way to supplement your income while engaging in an enjoyable and fulfilling activity.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Toronto-based Treats Happen saw a gap in the market for healthy dog treats, and now makes roughly $15K per month. Their biggest lesson? As a brand, they don't just sell on their website but want to be available on as many profitable channels as possible.
16. Start a shoe brand ($453K/month)
As a carpenter, your skills in precision craftsmanship and design can give you a unique edge in starting a shoe brand. You could create custom, hand-crafted wooden shoes or incorporate wooden elements into your shoe designs, tapping into a niche market that appreciates quality and authenticity. This distinctive offering could set you apart in the well-established shoe industry, providing room for growth and profitability.
Additionally, if you prefer a more straightforward approach, you could buy shoes in bulk and resell them at a higher price. With the flexibility of starting with a minimal investment, you could test the waters without a significant financial commitment. Balancing your carpentry work with this new venture could create a supplementary income stream and potentially evolve into a full-fledged business.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 455 days (?)
16-year-old entrepreneur founds KASA, an online luxury shoe and accessory boutique with over 270 luxury shoes in the collection, generating $80k in monthly profits and exploring expansion into lower-end shoes and custom shoes for the poor.
17. Start a fitness equipment company ($327K/month)
As a carpenter, you could easily leverage your skills to start a fitness equipment company, focusing on custom-made or high-quality wooden fitness equipment. With the increasing demand for home gyms and eco-friendly products, you could create unique items like wooden pull-up bars, plyometric boxes, and yoga equipment. This niche market values craftsmanship and durable materials, areas where your expertise as a carpenter would be highly valued.
Additionally, your ability to design and assemble equipment could help you stand out in a competitive market. Whether you choose to run your business from a storefront or as an online service, you'll have the flexibility to reach a broad audience, including gyms, schools, and fitness enthusiasts looking for personalized fitness solutions. Starting a fitness equipment business would allow you to combine your passion for woodworking with an entrepreneurial venture that can supplement your income or even become a full-time business.
How much you can make: $9,300 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Serena Jenkins-Hannah created a fitness brand, Serena Hannah Athletics, that has generated over $100,000 in sales over a year and a half, with $70,000 of those sales coming during COVID-19, through selling their #1 item, the Hannah Booty Band System, on Amazon, and has now expanded to Shopify to add cash flow.
18. Start a women's shoe line
Starting a women's shoe line may not seem like an obvious choice for a carpenter, but your hands-on skills and meticulous attention to detail could be a significant advantage in designing and crafting unique footwear. You could channel your expertise in working with materials into creating high-quality, fashionable shoes that stand out in a crowded market. Think about how your precision with wood translates to working with leather, fabric, and other materials to produce comfortable yet stylish heels, boots, flats, and sandals.
With the global footwear industry expected to reach $440 billion by 2026, there is a substantial profit potential if you can carve out a niche. E-commerce makes this venture accessible, allowing you to sell directly to consumers and wholesale to boutiques around the world. Aligning your craftsmanship with a passion for fashion could transform your skill set into a successful side business or even a full-time endeavor.
How much you can make: $10,000/month
How long does it take to build: 800 days (?)
TANYA HEATH Paris, a shoe company founded by Tanya Heath, created the world's first multi-height shoe with removable heels; the product development stage took 14 engineers and shoe technicians and they now have boutique locations in Paris, Toronto, Beirut, Beijing, and Hong Kong, relying on word of mouth and excellent customer service to attract and retain customers.
19. Start a travel products business ($314K/month)
As a carpenter with a knack for craftsmanship, starting a travel products business could open up numerous opportunities for you. You could leverage your skills to design and create durable, weather-proof backpacks, ergonomic travel pillows, or even wooden travel accessories like compact, foldable tables and portable storage solutions. Your unique touch and commitment to quality could set your products apart from generic mass-produced items, attracting discerning travelers who value durability and handicap workmanship.
Additionally, you could expand your reach by setting up an online travel store where customers can easily purchase these specially crafted items. Providing a seamless, convenient shopping experience will help establish your brand quickly and create customer loyalty. Combining your carpenter skills with the growing demand for travel comfort products could ultimately transform your side business into a full-fledged venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
TourScanner, a meta-search engine for tours and activities, achieved monthly net revenue of $60k and plans to reach $1M ARR in 2022, utilizing a lightweight business model based on affiliate programs that earned a commission from referrals sent to major travel companies like Viator, GetYourGuide, Musement, and Groupon.
20. Start a cloud management software ($129K/month)
If you're a carpenter with an entrepreneurial mindset, starting a cloud management software business could offer you a lucrative pathway, especially as the world rapidly shifts towards digital solutions. While it might seem far removed from woodworking, the principles of managing resources, optimizing processes, and ensuring efficiency in your craft can translate well to software development. You could develop software to help companies manage their cloud resources, from data storage to security compliance, effectively turning a growing market demand into your next business venture.
This side business would involve creating user-friendly interfaces and robust backend systems to monitor and optimize cloud infrastructure for various industries, including healthcare and finance. By stepping into this highly technical yet rewarding field, you could cater to a critical need for businesses migrating their operations to the cloud. This opportunity is ideal if you're interested in solving complex problems and have an interest or aptitude for software development.
Venturing into the cloud management software space could supplement your income significantly, providing a steady revenue stream alongside your carpentry work. With high demand for such tools in the market, you could find yourself at the forefront of modern business solutions, opening doors to further entrepreneurial possibilities.
How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Third Wave Analytics developed the world's first cloud-based and customizable LIMS platform on Salesforce, generating $330k monthly revenue from clients such as Ohio State University and Boston University School of Medicine while partnering with the University of California-Berkeley for a COVID-19 study; founder Savitra Sharma advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on clear objectives to meet their goals.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
