These days, there are so many ways to make some extra money on the side if you want to put away more in savings, put a down payment on a home, or simply make ends meet from month to month. Often referred to as side hustles, these extra jobs are typically very flexible, and you can schedule them around your main job or other responsibilities you might have.
When you’re figuring out what type of side hustle is best for you, it’s important to consider what specialized skills and tools you might need to do certain jobs.
Are you looking for a side hustle that requires very little expertise and investment yet has the potential to earn you hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars per week? You should consider furniture flipping.
What Is Furniture Flipping?
Furniture flipping is purchasing used pieces of furniture to resell for a profit. Sometimes, you’ll be able to get a great deal on a furniture piece that is in outstanding condition, and you’ll simply list it and sell it, no additional work required. However, some pieces will require some basic repair or refurbishment if you want to turn a profit upon resale.
You can decide which types of furniture you’ll work with, as some materials require more expertise to repair than others. For example, if you don’t have the time to learn how to refurbish leather, you can simply avoid leather upholstery. Instead, focus on pieces made with easier materials like cotton upholstery or completely wooden furniture.
Is Furniture Flipping Profitable?
Flipping furniture can be extremely profitable, and unlike other types of side hustles that take some time to build up, you can start making money with furniture flipping right away. Furniture flippers will usually make between $200 and $1,000+ per week. Of course, you have the ability to scale up or down as your schedule allows.
Generally, the amount of money you make will depend on how much time you’re able to dedicate to it. You should also factor in the types of pieces you’re flipping and your reach when it comes to your local used furniture market (Sharetown can help with this part).
How Long Does It Take to Flip a Piece of Furniture?
Once you’ve purchased a piece of furniture to be refurbished and resold, the turnaround time will depend on a few elements. First, you’ll have to dedicate a day or two to not only fixing any broken parts of the piece but also repainting or reupholstering it if need be.
Then, you’ll have to post high-quality photos in an online listing and wait for someone in your area to show interest. Once you find a buyer, you’ll confirm payment and set up a time for them to either pick up the piece or for you to drop it off to them. All in all, the process could take anywhere from two to five days on average.
Confident in your refurbishing skills but think you might need help with the “finding customers” part? When you become a Sharetown rep, we can help you connect with buyers in your area and schedule pickups and drop-offs so you can dedicate more time to refurbishing your pieces and creating high-value items.
Pros and Cons of Reselling Furniture
Like any job, there are both pros and cons to flipping furniture. Analyzing the pros and cons will help you determine whether furniture flipping is the right side hustle for you or whether your skills and time are better suited elsewhere.
Benefits of Furniture Flipping
Furniture flipping is an excellent way to make some extra money because it’s easy to get started. You don’t need very much expertise in furniture repair to be successful, and the “upcycled” furniture look is very popular right now, meaning you won’t have too much difficulty finding customers.
Plus, you can make hundreds to thousands of dollars per week depending on how much time you have to dedicate.
Cons of Furniture Flipping
Though furniture flipping doesn’t require too many tools, it does require some basic things like paint, paintbrushes, and other specialized furniture repair tools, depending on the kinds of pieces you’re working on.
Additionally, furniture flipping may be difficult for you if you don’t have a secure space, such as a garage or spare room in your home for storage or a pickup truck to transport items with.
How to Get Started Selling Used Furniture
Ready to get started flipping furniture? The good news is that it’s easy to get started as soon as today if you’re passionate about making some extra money and willing to put in the work.
What You Will Need
Before you take the plunge, make sure to decide what types of furniture you’re comfortable working with and buy supplies accordingly. For example, if you’re only working with wooden pieces, you might need paint, paintbrushes, and a sander, but you won’t need any upholstery equipment.
Additionally, make sure you have a room or area in your house dedicated to working on furniture and storing it between sales.
Where to Sell Your Furniture
Online platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and OfferUp are some of the best places to list your items. Plus, you can connect with buyers directly through Sharetown as a rep.
How to Price Your Furniture
Before you start selling and hauling furniture, research what used and refurbished pieces are selling for in your area. The information you find will help you determine what types of prices you might be able to secure for your work.
Generally, starting high in your pricing and being willing to come down slightly will help you to be successful in negotiations with customers.
Dive into Furniture Flipping Today with Sharetown
Making some extra money on the side by flipping furniture has never been so easy. And Sharetown makes it even easier by supporting our reps throughout each customer transaction (check out our last-mile delivery options) and helping them to reach a broader customer base. Don’t wait—become a Sharetown rep today to start earning!
