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Make Money Woodworking: How to (+ best woodworking projects to sell)

By Author Chhavi Agarwal

Make Money from Woodworking

In this post, we will talk about how to make money woodworking

Have you ever been to a craft fair or a holiday bazaar and found yourself admiring a unique piece of furniture or a wooden decorative item.

The chances are that item was created by a woodworking enthusiast in his garage.

Woodworking is the art of converting wood into unique and useful pieces. 

In this age where most of the furniture is mass-produced and made with plywood or particleboard, demand for one-of-a-kind wooden furniture is undoubtedly growing.

If you are a woodworking enthusiast or it is something that interests you, this post will surely help you. In this post, you will learn –

  • How to start a woodworking business and make money from woodworking?
  • Easy and profitable woodworking ideas
  • How to sell your woodworking projects?

The post includes affiliate links.

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How to start a woodworking business?

To start a profitable woodworking business and make money from woodworking, you need working tools, knowledge, and creativity.

You can start your business with a few simple tools and then reinvest the money to buy more powerful tools.

Follow these tips to learn how to turn your passion for woodworking into a profitable business.

1. Ensure you have all legal permits

Before you start selling your products and make money from woodworking, you need to make sure that you have all the legal permits and licenses.

You must hire an attorney to take care of all legal requirements. You need to adhere to all local, state, and federal regulations.

If you plan to operate your business from your home, check with your house owner’s association.

Some HOAs prohibit people from running businesses from homes.

2. Have a healthy financial reserve

No business starts making money from day one.

You must ensure that you have a healthy bank balance to take care of your expenses until you start making money.

A financial reserve also helps to cushion any losses that you may face in your business.

3. Make a business plan to make money from woodworking

You must always plan ahead.

Preparing a business plan isn’t as complicated as it sounds.

It means that you need to document your goals and what you want to achieve in your business.

Do some research on how to write a business plan.

Here are a few things that you must include in your business plan –

  • What are your business goals?
  • How much do you want to earn every month?
  • How many products do you want to sell every month?
  • What are your business targets?
  • Do you want to add more employees to your business?

4. The right skills to make money from woodworking

It takes a lot of skill to make quality wood products.

You may be doing a bit of woodworking as a hobby, but can you make wooden furniture and artifacts that people want to buy and make money woodworking? 

Be realistic about your woodworking skills.

You can ask your friends to evaluate your woodworking skills in terms of quality and aesthetics.

Tell them to be honest, as the success of your business depends on their evaluation.

5. The right mindset

Woodworking can be a lonely job.

You may have to spend long hours working alone. If you can work in such an environment, this is the right business for you. 

However, woodworking might not be the right fit for you if you like to interact with others.

6. The right tools to make money woodworking

Woodworking tools can be expensive.

So, make sure you have allocated enough funds in your business plan to acquire woodworking tools.

The tools that you need for woodworking include –

  • Saws
  • Drill Press
  • Hammers
  • Wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
  • Carving Tools
  • Sanders
  • Routers
  • Wood/Epoxy Glue
  • Shop-Vac
  • Dust Vacuum

If you are a beginner, your toolset should include –

  • A circular saw (For making straight cuts)
  • A jigsaw (For making curved cuts or cutting out interior shapes)
  • A power drill (To drill holes and drive screws)
  • An orbital sander (For sanding the final work)

You can buy the entire set for $200.

Woodworking projects that sell well

The type of woodworking projects you take and the things you make can have a considerable impact on your business.

Do some research and find out which handmade items sell the best or which woodworking projects that sell well.

Here are a few woodworking products that sell well to make money woodworking –

1. Furniture

If you have shopped for furniture recently, you know that it is not easy to find good quality solid wood furniture.

Here are some furniture pieces that are always in demand –

  • Tables
  • Chairs
  • Beds
  • Nightstands
  • Coffee tables
  • Dressers
  • Chest of drawers
  • End tables
  • Desks

You can make a neat profit from selling wooden furniture but creating these kinds of furniture pieces requires a lot of skill and time.

If you are new to woodworking, you can opt to make rustic furniture from logs or pallets.

2. Smaller wooden products

Smaller wooden products or selling wooden crafts like signs and toys are easier to make and sell more as compared to furniture.

They are also easier to ship.

Here are some ideas for smaller woodworking items or wood projects that sell –

  • Key chains
  • Picture frames
  • Window boxes
  • Wooden coat racks
  • Wooden shoe racks
  • Candle stands
  • Creative bookends
  • Wooden swings
  • Rustic shelves
  • Rustic ladders
  • Wood puzzles
  • Chess boards
  • Bird feeders
  • Drink caddies
  • Serving trays
  • Wall art
  • Wine  bottle holders
  • Dog beds and houses
  • Wine racks
  • Jewelry boxes
  • Toys
  • Toy boxes
  • Fruit bowls
  • Cutting boards

These smaller items sell well at fairs and online.

3. Repair and flip furniture

Many people sell old furniture at yard sales and flip items for profit.

Often this furniture requires only minor repairs. You can buy this furniture and repair it.

Usually, a little bit of TLC and a fresh coat of paint can transform the furniture.

You can paint these pieces in pastel or chalk paint to give it a vintage look.

You can watch YouTube or Pinterest videos to learn different techniques of restoring and flipping furniture.

Interested in flipping for money? Check out the best items to sell and flip for profit.

Sign up for the FREE Flipping Webinar to learn how to flip or sell furniture for profit.

How to sell your woodworking products?

Many people worry about whether they will be able to market their finished woodworking products and make money woodworking.

Some woodworkers prefer to sell their products locally at auctions or flea markets.

Others believe they can have a better chance of selling their products online.

There are several ways to promote and sell your creations.

1. Social Media

Social media platforms such a Facebook or Instagram can be ideal for promoting your items.

You can create an online store on these platforms and start selling your products there.

Use proper sales techniques to ensure that you build the appropriate audience quickly.

You can also join a Facebook group for online buying and selling of handmade products.

2. Sell online

You can start your eCommerce shop for your woodworking projects.

You can also take advantage of online marketplaces like eBay or Etsy to sell your products.

  • Etsy – Etsy is an online marketplace for all things handmade.

    The main benefit of selling your woodworking items is that the site has millions of shoppers.

    You may have to pay a small fee to sell your products here.

  • Amazon handmade – You can also sell your woodworking products on Amazon Handmade.

    To be able to sell here, you first have to apply here and be accepted.

    You also have to send pictures of the products that you want to sell when you apply.

  • Facebook marketplace – Facebook Marketplace is another excellent option for buying and selling products.

    You can access the Marketplace from your regular Facebook account.

  • Craigslist – Craigslist is an excellent place for online buying and selling of products.

    A considerable volume of people visits this platform daily to look for products.

  • OfferUp – OfferUp is a mobile marketplace.

    You can download this app on your smartphone and use it to sell your wooden creations.

  • Uncommon Goods – Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace specializing in selling unique creative products by independent artists.

    To sell your products here, you have to submit an application for each product.

    After your product is evaluated and approved, you can sell your woodworking items here.

  • Bonanza – Bonanza is another platform for selling and buying products.

    It is easy to use and offers many product categories.

3. Flea markets

Flea markets are a popular place to sell handmade products. However, you need not set up shop at every flea market.

Do some research and find out which ones are more popular.

Where your booth is set up also makes a difference in terms of sales. Make sure you find a stall that a lot of people will walk past.

If you are selling furniture, choose your booth close to the area where you can unload and load your products.

You can also check out your local farmer’s market and whether you can sell your products there. Farmer’s markets usually attract a lot of crowds.

Sign up for the FREE Flipping Webinar to learn how to flip or sell furniture for profit.

4. Partner with a local store

You can have a chat with your local furniture stores, craft stores, home décor stores, or consignment stores to see if they will let you sell your products there.

You may have to share a percentage of your profit with the store owner, but overall it will be a win-win deal.

Check with the local coffee shops or restaurants. Some of them may be willing to showcase your products.

5. Open your store

I have mentioned this option last, as it is not the easiest or the cheapest option.

Opening a store can be risky and expensive. 

You can opt for this option once you have established your business and have a steady profit coming in.

Till such time, stick to the earlier options for selling your creations.

Tips for success: how to make money in woodworking

As is the case with any business, you must aim to maximize profits and minimize losses.

You can maximize profits by –

  • Using cost-effective material.
  • Using good quality power tools
  • Using techniques that help you save time
  • Working on projects that are high in demand.

You can minimize losses by –

  • Spending time on knowing the demands of the market.
  • Learning new techniques to market your products.
  • Minimizing waste and using smaller wood pieces to make smaller items.

Final thoughts on how to make money from woodworking

If you have woodworking skills, you can try your hand at making a profitable business out of your hobby.

You should have the right tools, skills, and mindset. You will also need all the legal permits to set up your workshop.

Always make a business plan and cater for some financial reserves.

You can choose to make furniture, repair furniture, or make smaller items like picture frames, toys, wall art, bird feeders, and key chains.

Once you have created a few items, you can sell them at your local flea markets or farmer’s markets; you can team up with a local store and later set up your shop.

You can also sell your creations online on platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, eBay, OfferUp, Bonanza, etc.

Wish you all the best for your new venture.