Is woodworking even a profitable trade anymore?

[Man]

Looking at picking up a trade to do on the side. After much work and investment I sadly found out my original plan would legally conflict with my current job so I have to change course. I have saved quite a bit up for tooling/schooling for my second go at it. My second choice was working with wood, but aside from cabinets which I have zero interest in doing is this even a viable trade anymore?
One of many reasons I ask this is I look at ebay for instance with thousands of handmade wood items for sale and most have no bids down to end bid time. I know there are many factors but I am looking for something that "maybe" I could go full time into if all goes well. Hoping for some around the campfire suggestions/advise/thoughts on the woodworking trade. Thanks guys

[FireNguns]

Trim carpentry is a dying trade with good money to be made if your good at it and creative. Builders are having trouble finding good quality trim carpenters. Set your own price

[mmoses]

I dont see making any money unless you are doing cabinets or built ins.

My uncle used to run a wood shop but it dried up.

Now picking up old funitire and

[Cajun Blake]

IMO, you can make $$$ with custom wood products (picture frames, cutting boards, furniture, art work, etc...) at Festivals around the State. People want unique items that are quality built and affordably priced. Don't forget that the cost associated with being a vendor : booth, hotel, gas, food, etc.... can limit your profit

Not uncommon to work 10-12 hour days with a $1000 - 2000+ gross from items sold over a 3-day weekend. It may cost you $500-1000 after you factor in expenses. If Mother Nature doesn't cooperate then your screwed with poor sales due to low attendance.

You also need to be a "people person" and love what you're doing otherwise traveling on the Festival circuit will wear you down. You will spend long hours working in the shop 4 days per week, compounded with 3 days of travel and standing up selling to the general public.

I have married friends (in early 60's) that do this 1-2 x's per month since they enjoy travelling and meeting people. They're not getting rich yet do it to stay busy and see old friends each year.

my suggestion, do your research by asking lots of questions. Figure out a budget and confirm if this is something you'd like to do.

You can also move product on the i-net (ebay, etsy, etc..) however lots of competition drives the selling prices down

example of custom woodworking I've seen at local festivals

[Draco]

Have you thought about metal work. Quality work still sells very well.

[TP3]

I have made a living since 2007 doing custom woodwork.
My brother and I opened our own finish carpentry business in 2012. We have not taken the world by storm but have been able to maintain a decent standard of living.
We specialize in hardwood countertops. However, if we weren't versatile enough to do furniture, trim and cabinet jobs we probably wouldn't have made it.
There is a lot of tooling involved, and you will find out anything wood specific tends to be expensive.
There is decent money in trim carpentry, but you won't make any money by beating prices. Like framing, there will always be someone cheaper. The quality and quickness of the work is where you make the good money. You can do basic trim with a moderate amount of tools and pick up new stuff as you need it.
If you take the time to learn it can be a good trade. Incredibly lucrative for some that are able to scale what they are doing. Good luck Man.

[TP3]

As stated, good finish carpentry is a dying trade. Learn it and you should be able to make some hours just about anywhere building is going on nation wide.

[sharkhunter]

My dad has been a cabinet builder and trim carpenter for over 55yrs and has his own shop. At 72yrs of age he will only do commercial cabinets and millworker now. Makes dang good money at it as well. He won't mess with residential anymore. Not worth it to him.

[SCREAMINREELS]

My dad built custom furniture as a business for about half his life before retiring and selling his business. He did well but he diversified when it got slow and ended up going better on furniture repair and refinishing/upholstery/inspections for insurance companies, contract with moving companies fixing the stuff they ding etc. Always did custom furniture but toward the end less and less of it. There aren't alot of people that have the skill to do it and when you do make a piece it's freaking expensive.

[Hookem84]

I have made a living since 2007 doing custom woodwork.
My brother and I opened our own finish carpentry business in 2012. We have not taken the world by storm but have been able to maintain a decent standard of living.
We specialize in hardwood countertops. However, if we weren't versatile enough to do furniture, trim and cabinet jobs we probably wouldn't have made it.
There is a lot of tooling involved, and you will find out anything wood specific tends to be expensive.
There is decent money in trim carpentry, but you won't make any money by beating prices. Like framing, there will always be someone cheaper. The quality and quickness of the work is where you make the good money. You can do basic trim with a moderate amount of tools and pick up new stuff as you need it.
If you take the time to learn it can be a good trade. Incredibly lucrative for some that are able to scale what they are doing. Good luck Man.

What's yalls business called? Me and my dad have a cabinet shop in marble falls. People are always asking for trim carpenters and I don't have anybody to really recommend except my installers but that wouldn't work out.

[jbarr]

I do a little woodworking on the side, and from what it seems to me is people want something for nothing. They really don't take into account how much time it takes to make the items they want. I try to tell people you get what you pay for. I do it as a hobby so making money is a bonus.

[TP3]

What's yalls business called? Me and my dad have a cabinet shop in marble falls. People are always asking for trim carpenters and I don't have anybody to really recommend except my installers but that wouldn't work out.

Capital Hardwood Craft. We are in Dripping Springs. Shoot me a PM anytime sir.

[Eagle19]

I turn duck calls on the side. Cnc's will almost put any wood Turner's out of business. I build homes too for the daily job and I really don't see you making much money in trim carpentry. I think the real money would be in buying your own mini sawmill and building Mantles and tables. People pay big money for those. In other words get a deer lease and harvest unwanted trees, get paid for it, and write if off as a work expense. It's a win win.

[nchunter]

I owned a millwork company from 1998-2007. I specialzed in new home trim carpentry. It got to the point where it was not worth the hassle. I made decent money, but not for the volume of product we were producing. I sold the company in 2007 right before the crash and have never looked back. I went back to school to finish my masters and now work in business. My understanding is things are no better despite the work picking up. Wages are too low and people are not willing to pay for quality of work. There are a few out there for sure, however trying filling a schedule out with consistent work to employ a few people and pay yourself. I framed for years also, however, wages were even lower.
If I had to go back to the trades, I would do plumbing or HVAC work. Between the licensing that keeps some riff raff at bay and the fact you can pick up service work for homeowners, it seem a great living can be made.

[jhunter77]

total hijack...but if the op wants to do trim work I have a house ready and need a trim guy. Please let me know.