Launch Your Reupholstery and Furniture Repair Business in St. John's

This page helps you start a reupholstery and furniture repair business in St. John's (NAICS 811420) with practical, actionable steps. You'll find a clear, beginner-friendly roadmap that covers the nine essential requirements, from choosing your business structure and naming it to securing the right permits and zoning approvals. We break down realistic startup costs and outline a practical timeline so you know what to expect at every stage.

What you’ll learn: a step-by-step path to registration, a municipal business license if needed, GST/HST registration, insurance to protect your shop and clients, and how to set up a safe workspace. We'll translate the nine requirements into concrete actions—cost ranges, permit timelines, and when you’ll likely be ready to launch.

St. John's is a great fit for a local reupholstery and furniture repair shop, with a supportive small-business ecosystem, a steady flow of clients from homes and offices, and affordable access to materials and suppliers.

Business Type
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
Location
St. John's

Requirements Overview

The most critical requirement for operating a reupholstery and furniture repair business in St. John's is obtaining a Business Licence. This license is required by the city to legally run your workshop, and you cannot start or continue operations without it. Think of it as the permit that lets you open your doors, advertise your services, and serve customers from a compliant location. Treat this as non-negotiable and complete it before you do anything else.

Mandatory operational requirements cover health, safety, and permits. If you hire employees, you must have Newfoundland & Labrador WorkplaceNL coverage (workers’ compensation) and maintain a safe, well‑trained workplace. The license itself is a core permit, and beyond that you should follow basic safety practices for upholstery work, including proper tool use, ventilation, and fire safety. Depending on your space, you may also need to align with local occupancy or safety requirements.

Business Registration & Tax: Register your business name (or form a corporation) with the Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry. You’ll also need a Newfoundland & Labrador Business Number (BN) from the CRA to handle tax accounts. If you plan to charge GST/HST, register for GST/HST. If you hire employees, set up Payroll Deductions registration. If you operate as a partnership, complete Partnership Registration. These steps ensure you can legally bill customers, remit taxes, and keep your books in order.

Next steps: start with the City of St. John’s licence application, then decide your business structure (name, sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation). Apply for a BN, consider GST/HST registration, and set up WorkplaceNL if you have staff. Use a simple checklist and reach out to Service NL, the CRA, and local business centers for help. You’re on a practical, achievable path to a compliant, successful shop.

Detailed Requirements

Here are the specific requirements for starting a reupholstery and furniture repair in St. John's:

  • Business Name Registration Required
    Registration to operate a business. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • Business Licence Required
    General business licence required to operate a business in City of St. John's. Apply to City of St. John's for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of St. John's Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
  • Business Number (BN) Registration Required
    A 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
  • Newfoundland & Labrador Corporation/Business Registration Required
    Businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must register with the Registry of Companies. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and trade names. Registration provides legal protection for the business name and is required for business operations, banking, and licensing. Registration can be completed in person or by mail. Sole proprietorship and partnership registrations must be renewed every 5 years. To register a business in Newfoundland & Labrador: 1. Reserve business name ($10 non-refundable) 2. Complete registration through CADO online portal 3. Pay incorporation fee ($270 online with share capital) 4. Receive certificate of incorporation 5. File annual returns ($75) 6. Sole proprietors only register if using trade name
  • Newfoundland & Labrador WorkplaceNL Coverage Conditional
    Required if you have employees in Newfoundland. Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador must register with WorkplaceNL (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission) and maintain coverage for workers. WorkplaceNL provides insurance for workplace injuries and occupational diseases under a no-fault system. Most employers are required to register, with some exceptions. Registration should occur before hiring the first worker. Employers pay assessments based on their industry assessment rate and assessable earnings. To register with WorkplaceNL: 1. All employers in NL must register with WorkplaceNL 2. Register online through WorkplaceNL portal 3. Report assessable earnings annually 4. Pay premiums based on industry rate ($1.73/100 avg 2024) 5. Maintain coverage and report workplace injuries 6. MCAE is $76,955 for 2024
  • GST/HST Registration Conditional
    Required if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
  • Payroll Deductions Registration Conditional
    Required if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
  • NL Corporation Registration Conditional
    Required if incorporating in Newfoundland. Incorporation under NL law. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • Partnership Registration Conditional
    Required for partnerships. Registration of partnerships. Register through Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of Newfoundland and Labrador government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.

Funding & Grants

Available funding programs that may apply to your reupholstery and furniture repair:

  • The ATTC provides qualifying Ontario employers with a refundable tax credit equal to 25% of eligible expenditures (30% for small businesses) incurred during the first 36 months of a qualifying apprenticeship, up to a maximum of $5,000 per qualifying apprentice per year. The credit applies only to apprenticeship programs that …

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