(LifeWire) - Overview of a Bathtub Reglazing Business
A bathtub reglazing work from home business can catch the home-improvement wave, allowing you to earn between $30 and $100 an hour.
To gain experience, greenhorns might want to accompany professionals on jobs, watch tutorials on the Internet, or enroll in a respected vocational program.
Because a bathtub reglazing and refinishing costs between $250 and $600 as opposed to more than $1,000 for a new tub, refurbishing remains high on the to-do list of domestic beautification, especially in tough times when money is tight. The remodeling industry is expected to grow by 10% through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, so there should be a steady flow of customers for the entrepreneur who can blend workmanship with strategic marketing.
Pros of a Bathtub Reglazing Work from Home Business
- The startup capital can be just a few thousand dollars for tools and materials.
- Supplies can be purchased at your local hardware and paint store -- perhaps you can strike a wholesale deal.
- A bathtub reglazing job can be finished in three to four hours, enabling you to see more than one customer per day.
- It doesn't take many customers to recoup your initial investment.
- Refinishing chemicals can be toxic; always use proper safety equipment. Also make sure you take precautions when storing these chemicals in and around you home, and make sure there are no local restrictions prohibiting you from doing so.
- Customers might occasionally bathe too soon for the tub to dry, forcing you to redo it.
- Contractors who handle a broader range of home improvement services provide stiff competition.
- A business license and insurance
- Safety equipment including gloves, goggles and breathing mask to avoid potentially toxic fumes and chemicals
- Basic materials such as acrylic, urethane and polyurethane, and a safe place to store them
- Business cards, signage on your vehicle and a website to advertise
- A computer bookkeeping system such as Excel
- A place to safely store your equipment and supplies
Bathtub Reglazing: Real-Life Example
Jeff Miller, the owner of Bathroom Magic in Fairfax, Va., charges $425 for reglazing a 5-foot cast-iron tub, according to an article in USA Today. His income improved by 75% in 2008.
More Work from Home Business Ideas
- Home Business Ideas and Opportunities - Handyperson
- Carpet Cleaning Services Work from Home Business
- Locksmith at Home Businesses
- Home Business Ideas - Refinishing Furniture
More on Starting a Work from Home Business
- Starting a Home Business
- 8 Steps to a Business Identity
- 9 Obstacles to Starting a Home Business - and How to Overcome Them
This article is part of the 7 Home Based Home Improvement Businesses collection. Use the link to access other home-based businesses in this collection.
