Hello all,
I’m beginning the journey of running a very small side business woodworking apart from my day job. My main interest is stringed instruments, however i’m painfully aware that not everyone purchases these so i’m looking at other options for ways to make money to justify the hobby/tool/wood expenses.
Basically, i’m wondering if any of you regularly build and sell custom bedframes/headboards and make any decent money at it, or if people generally don’t purchase/ aren’t willing to shell out for these products as much as i think they would. I’m very fortunate to have a spouse who has excellent interior design sense who will prove to be an asset in endeavours like these.
First post on the forum, seems like a very helpful and knowledgeable place and i’m excited to be here. Thanks in advance for the help and experience.
Replies
There's a market for anything people want to buy.
I've made 3 bed sets all for home use, and always get comments a out people wanting to have one made. However, I've not committed to making one for anyone and no one has perused it enough to actually get it done.
So yes, you could make and sell them, but there's quite a bit of hours involved in making a bed and the cost of materials can be high. Accordingly, you'd have to get a lot back to make it profitable. Most people that want you to build something fall into 2 categories : people who want something unique and handmade or something cheaper they can get at a big box store. Sometimes they want both...
I wouldn't hang my hat on just making beds. If you find someone interested in having one made that's great, but I wouldn't want to build a bunch of prototypes then have to find away to store them and hope someone will buy them.
Now if you've got a need for a bed in the home (or a friend or family member) id suggest going that route and taking some good pics to share and advertise. That gives you a good idea of time and material cost to give an accurate estimate to any potential client down the road.
In my opinion, I like to think that there's potential in any market. You could be the leader of eCommerce to the leader of fish bait products.
The problems I see with a hobbyist/part-time endeavor like you envision are many layered.
First do you envision a local market or are you thinking bigger picture over the internet?
Second you need an honest assessment of the quality of your work. Demanding the premium that small production shops require is only possible if the quality of work supports it.
If local how can you get the exposure you will need? Local craft shows are all but non-existent right now. Is there a local store that would carry your product? Advertising can be expensive and can be fruitless unless it is well directed. Do you have more affluent neighborhoods near you or are they mostly middle to low income? Custom work is best marketed to people who can afford it otherwise you will find yourself in a losing battle with Ikea and Bob's discount furniture.
If on the other hand you are thinking internet sales shipping large products can be expensive and shipping damage can eat up all your profits quickly. Not to mention many internet shoppers are bargain hunters more than quality seekers.
That said locally we have a company that started out building custom bunk beds and branched into other semi-custom wall units, tables etc. and has been in business for over 40 years.
Looking at Etsy (I don’t buy or sell there), some Concealed Furniture sellers are severely back-ordered or sold out. If you’re looking to make stuff that sells, that might be product line to consider.
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