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Casual selling handmade furniture

  • 13-07-2020 9:14pm
    #1
    adocholiday
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I am interested in a little side gig selling some furniture I make myself however buying materials etc. with VAT and no trade account with suppliers means that there's little margin in it.

    I'm considering setting up a business to maybe help with these aspects but wary of opening a can of worms here. I make these things in a small workshop at my house and would sell them online via adverts etc. but if I want to make a legitimate business I presume I'd need to apply for planning would I? I wouldn't have a showroom or drive-in customers, purely online sales only.

    Also I expect that business would be very light and low volume, I have a full time job anyway so this would just be turning a hobby into a small side gig. Would this matter in terms of setting up a business? I'd expect turnover to be in the region of €1k - €2k per month max.

    I'm possibly over thinking this whole thing anyway and might just be easier to keep things as they are but no harm exploring the option. Anything I should know or be aware of before starting this process?

    Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    mneylon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,740 ✭✭✭mneylon


    Maybe talk to an accountant? Ideally the kind you can give a bottle of whiskey to in return for a bit of basic advice :)

    Planning - probably not needed though you might want to check if there's any specific rules where you live. Most of the restrictions are to stop people having lots of extra cars / vans etc blocking traffic in housing estates

    VAT - you won't meet the threshold immediately, so registering isn't needed and would probably cause you more headaches than anything else

    I'd recommend you keep track of all the expenses / sales etc

    There is probably a tax implication, but again the accountant friend could probably give you some guidance.

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  • #3
    y0ssar1an22
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,750 ✭✭✭✭y0ssar1an22


    you can register as a sole trader (will need to register for income tax and file annual form 11), and possibly register a business name if you want.

    in respect of vat, i wouldn't bother registering until you reach the threshold.

    you may want to look into some sort of liability insurance, if the chair/whatever breaks.

    set up a separate bank account to track expenses.

    i think go for it! if you enjoy it, why not try to make a little something from it? add on whatever % on top of the cost of materials and see if people are interested.


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