I don’t have a shop I worked at a few for the past 12 years and do a lot of sidework in my experience I’ve made the most money on motorcycle seats. There small quick and easy for the most part

Hi Clinton, yeah i've often thought bike seats could be profitable i don't get many but maybe its something i could look into.

Thanks.

I personally love doing complete custom interiors. Fabricating everything myself from center councils to hard headliners. Custom thermo formed kick panels and armrests to hidden led's and secret compartments. If its custom it will get peoples attention. The problem is that they take soo much time. I end up doing way more work than I can charge for. In my area there is no one that can/will pay 16K for an interior. Maybe the big dogs in California, Florida or other big $ areas can charge for all of their labor. but not around here. I still do them though, its why I got into this to begin with. Don't get me wrong I still make $ on these jobs, just not as much as I should.

The good thing about the flashy custom jobs is that they do get attention. That is what brings in the jobs that actually pay. Basic muscle car interiors, interior package installs, convertible tops, headliners, small seat repairs, motorcycle seats, the list goes on. And for me personally about 30% of my business is fitness equipment/weight bench pads. It's not fun work but its hard to complain about solid work that pays every week.

One of my specialties is C1, C2, and C3 Corvette restoration. I have worked on these vintage cars for over 40 years. I have worked with Al Knock products and have realized a great margin in the cost of the tops and seat covers with excellent customer service and product quality.

Special interest cars are a double edge sword- they can be very profitable if you are proficient working on them, or they can cost you if you do not know exactly what you are getting into. I have always said- "If you don't work on Corvettes, DON"T work on Corvettes". The meaning is if someone has only worked on one or two Corvettes they may not have the mastery of the car necessary and struggle to achieve the results expected by the customer.

My biggest money makers are repairs on daily drivers. I end up making far more money per hour on headliners, convertible tops and seat repairs than classic interior restorations and custom interiors. That's why I prefer to do the repair jobs over the others.

You're right Naseem, that's where the money is. Although most of my business is aircraft, I still love those one day "fill in" jobs. Make better money, and easier to do.

I agree repair work can definitely make you some money. I love automotive work and doing motorcycle seats etc but on Maryland's Eastern shore boat are very profitable. I'd say 75% of my work comes from boats. I also do canvas enclosures and covers which are even more profitable then boat upholstery, majority of the time. Just my 2 cents

Restorations and customs allows us to use our creative skills. However they are extremely time consuming. I agree, to be profitable focus on daily drivers and commercial projects. The restos and customs will be there when you have the urge.

Lately it’s been snowmobile seat repairs and like sated before motorcycles seems to be quick and easy

I'm in the southwest of england, we never get snowmobile seats................then again we never get snow.

I'm in the heartland of the good ol' US of A, Kansas. And believe it or not, marine is our biggest money maker as well. Specifically, repairs on tarps and bimini's and such. We build customer covers, snap covers, travel covers, bimini's, etc. and always keep major scrap. These custom projects are great profit margins, especially when you consider the waste from these projects being used to repair a $65 tear or hole. That may take 25-30 min. And some thread.

bar stools. they are usually all alike. make a pattern for the first seat and it will work for all the rest. you can make a lot of covers in a short time. I do 5 or 6 take them back. get 5 or 6 more that way they always have seats. as a bonus you get a free beer.

Office furniture and brand new boat interiors for a local company make the money for us. Church kneelers also make good money.

I do seat repairs for used car dealers and replacement covers for Newmar motor coaches 6 hours two seats $600. I could work on those anytime.