How to Start a $30K/Month Woodworking Business

What does it take to start a woodworking business? Today we’re taking a behind-the-scenes tour of Westbrook Carpentry and Millwork, a $30K/month woodworking business that’s become one of the most sought-after carpentry shops in Seattle.

Daniel Westbrook is a third-generation woodworking craftsman, and that long experience is the cornerstone of Westbrook Carpentry and Millwork’s success. Today, he’ll talk us through the woodworking tools you need to open a home woodworking business, along with how much it costs to start, what experience is a must-have, and other advice about woodworking for beginners.

You can’t make money woodworking if you don’t have customers. We’ll hear Daniel’s marketing strategies for reaching the right customers, and how (and why) he rebranded his company from Westbrook Restorations to Westbrook Carpentry and Millwork. The types of woodworking projects he took on changed, too. We’ll find out the pros and cons of working on smaller projects compared to whole home restorations, and how to start a woodworking business that focuses on either niche.

Woodworking is a career with a long tradition, and this tradition is integral to Daniel’s business values. We’ll find out why concepts like hard work, respect, and trust are important to him as a business leader, what living those values looks like in the real world, and how holding to those principles has helped him sustain long-term growth.

Resources:

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:52 Meeting Daniel
2:56 Revenue
3:55 Initial Budget
4:56 Monthly Expenses
6:16 Daniel’s Other Businesses
7:04 Inside Look To Daniel’s Truck
8:44 Advertising
10:02 Equipment
11:10 Most Important Skillset
12:40 Inside Look of Daniel’s Truck Part 2
14:07 Skill an Entrepreneur Needs To Have
14:57 Estimating Cost of Projects
16:27 Daniel’s Advice For Those Just Starting Out
17:13 Social Media
18:15 Shop Setup
20:18 Advantages or Disadvantages to Employees
21:54 Insurance
23:49 Tools in the Shop
24:55 Seasonal?
26:01 Daniel’s Current Project
27:35 Profit Margins
29:03 Mistakes
30:24 Competitiveness in the Industry
31:50 Daniel’s Biggest Challenge
33:03 Switching From Hands-on to General Contractor
34:37 How To Increase Your Hours
37:30 What’s Next For Westbrook Carpentry

#woodworkingbusiness #woodworking #earnmoneywoodworking

[Mike-bsxi]

Last week I made 11, 500 dollars in a day in a half doing excavation work on a new duplex. Water and sewer hook ups and dig footings. Best money I've made in a day and a half.

[dominicfrench]

Honesty, this man has given me the knowledge of 60 years, which has articulated ideas I’ve had with the problems you run into with my families 3rd generation painting business. Much appreciation for your commitment for your channel. The knowledge from this man is appreciated.

[SpencerJan]

"Am I growing? I'm growing inside." - Amazing answer to a question we hear all the time. Love it!

[KyleHallwoodworker]

As a Small business owner, rustic furniture builder/ chainsaw carver I really appreciate this video . I have hopes to take my business full time in the near future. The knowledge shared in this video was very encouraging and helpful Thank you .

[mkelly]

My friend and I built a kitchen for a remodel client and and now 4.5 months later we have 14, 000 cabinet doors and 4, 200 full cabinets on the books. I can't believe we have been able to turn a hobby into a living! Follow your dreams and if if you are willing to "GRIND WHILE THEY SLEEP LEARN WHILE THEY PARTY" and a little luck you can achieve those dreams.

[chrisnash]

One thing I found peculiar, yet refreshing… He is NOT a huge Festool fanboy. Other than the dust collector that was it. He doesn’t even have a Sawstop (gasp)! A little surprised that he didn’t have a larger dust collection setup, but perhaps the craft he focuses on doesn’t create a lot of sawdust. I loved all of the detail provided regarding the creation and management of his business. Surprised, but DEEPLY appreciative of his honesty regarding income. For once we get to see how this trade can pay off if run properly under the right circumstances.

[nickolas]

I was watching this on my TV and jumped on my phone just to be able to comment that this interviewer did an EXCELLENT job with the questions he was asking. Very good interview.

[AxGryndr]

It is nice seeing a full scale shop like this and seeing that he has the tools that work for him. For example, the Rigid oscillating belt sander. He didn't buy a huge, expensive, over featured tool.

[LuisCasstle]

My advice is to focus on what you would enjoy building and learn as much as possible. Some things take very little to build and sell for a lot, other things can take way more time to make and sell for the same, equaling to less $$/hr. I am trying to find those items that are a specialty. Buy tools that help you be precise like Incra Rules, Incra Miter gauge, and Incra Jig.

Little by little each tool will up your level of quality. That and learning how to use the tools properly. I would get a table saw first as that can do most cuts a miter saw can. Second probably a router and router table. Can't forget a good set of drill and impact driver with quick-change chucks.

Now after having power tools I'm seeing that hand tools are just as indispensable, especially for fine detail work. Power tools can be too brute sometimes. For that, I recommend a block plane, router plane, and a Rabet plane, and if you do frames a Miter cutter. Mind you, hand tools can cost more than some power tools, so I'd get those after you're good with power tools (except for chisels, get those starting out). Hand tools are great for the final touches to your work, the power tools are great for cutting fast. I tend to buy as many tools as possible on sale or with coupons, that alone will save you hundreds, like right now you can buy a $400 set of Dewalt batteries and jigsaw from HD for $200.

Find something that you want to make, work to make it better than what you see. Through trial and error, you'll land on the items that work and those that don't. I use Facebook marketplace but there are other specialty sites. For example, music studio furniture would be good to post in an audio gear marketplace like Reverb.

There are items that I've built for my home and post them for sale, eventually someone orders one. Some things sit for a week to a day, others can sit for a year before someone orders it. Those that get a lot of interest I boost to increase their visibility.

Another important thing is learning what is available in your area, what stores sell what. For lumber I prefer Menards. Learn what kind of woods you can special order for no extra charge. Another good supplier for business supplies is Grainger, they have plenty of warehouses that you may have one close by and that will save you hundreds on shipping costs. I order huge boxes and being able to pick them up nearby saves me hundreds on shipping.

Learn and keep learning. Reverse engineer things you find interesting. I'm always inspecting furniture, frames, etc just to see if I can find out something to add to my designs. Some great youtubers for woodworking information are Stumpy Nubs and Katz-Moses, those 2 alone give out troves of free knowledge. For inspiration, I recommend Matthias Wandell and Pask Makes. Those guys make nice stuff and can inspire one to perfect their craft.

[billystray]

As a lifelong craftsman, my biggest struggle is not performing high-level work, but being a decent businessman, I have always put a lot of emphasis on my abilities (maybe too much) and less on business, it's certainly a tough balance to achieve.
Hats off to this man for blending both

[paulgallinato]

The wealth of valuable information in this video is astounding. From carpentry specifics, to entrepreneurial and personal growth advice and more. Thanks to you both. Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[matatatv]

As a business owner myself, I understand him. Dealing with employees is time consuming. It’s so easy to loose control because in his field, the most important thing is Quality. But as a self-employee, the government is taking a lot in taxe from him. You have to be smart to keep that 💵

[edawadezz]

i really liked this video! The only thing better for me to see than this would be what it would be like to be a residential general contractor. Im a ticketed carpenter myself, this guy is legendary. Nice attitude, nice shop, nice business. A true OG

[joeymerrell]

My best friend started off on a framing crew during the summer of high school. He was toting wood to start. Then after years and years he had been framing and running his own crew, he made the move to trim work. About 6 years in trim and now he’s doing custom cabinetry for last 10 years and is one of the premier builders in this area. Lots of blood sweat and tears and he is on top of his craft.

[bigdaddycros]

Sorry don’t believe it. Unless half that money is from YouTube advertising payments.

[sheridanbabcock]

I like that you mix up the segments of the video, so that one part is about his specific craft and the next part is about a more general part of owning a business.

[trooperjoe]

That's right. Lean right in on that miter saw and get a good look. 🤣

[darioxbrow]

keys I've taken away from this other video (been binge watching all of your videos guys, you're amazing):
1)Personal growth is fundamental in your business journey
2)10k is the minimum amount of money anyone should get started with
3)your profit margin should be between 35% and 65% (although I think this is too high of a margin)
4)get into google ads asap. Don't use any other platforms, they're just making money off of you
5)buy a truck to securely use your tools
6)have your equipment on wheels (another amazing piece of advice right there)
7)employees are kind of a burden
8)know your numbers
9)make sure both you and your customers know what you're gonna do so that you don't have any problems
10)Contracts are crucial
11)business isn't about money, it's about you owning it ;)

[chippytecarpenter]

It was nice to hear what you said about being a master Carpenter and I would totally agree with you it’s best to keep going from one level to the next! and this is all part of the journey and our passion for the craft.

[caleblee]

Daiel is a great craftsman, I've know him for several years. Was a perfect candidate for UpFlip to interview!