Start Your Surrey Reupholstery and Furniture Repair Business
This page gives you a practical roadmap to launching a reupholstery and furniture repair business in Surrey (NAICS 811420). You’ll get a clear, action-oriented plan and a six-essentials checklist covering permits, upfront costs, and a realistic timeline. Key items include: business license, zoning or home-based permit if you’re working from home, GST/HST registration, general liability insurance, workspace safety and waste disposal, and equipment and supplier setup.
You’ll learn how to handle the six essentials: license and zoning steps, GST/HST registration, insurance, safety and waste disposal, and equipment planning. We lay out typical startup costs—from basic tools to workspace setup and ongoing materials—and a practical timeline: license approval often takes 2-6 weeks, setup 1-3 weeks, with a soft launch 4-8 weeks after approvals.
Surrey is a great place to start. A growing housing market and easy access to Metro Vancouver suppliers create steady demand for reupholstery and furniture repair. Start from home with the right permits, then scale to a shop as you build your reputation.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a reupholstery and furniture repair business in Surrey is Business Number (BN) Registration. This federal identifier from the Canada Revenue Agency is what you’ll use to handle taxes, payroll, and GST/HST if applicable. You cannot legally run the business without a BN when you interact with the tax system or hire staff. It’s non-negotiable and should be your first step before opening doors or taking on jobs.
Mandatory operational requirements cover health, safety, and permits. Create a safe workspace and follow WorkSafeBC rules; if you have employees, you’ll need WorkSafeBC coverage and regular safety training. You’ll also need a Surrey municipal business licence to operate legally in the city, and you may need to register a BC Business Name if you plan to operate under a name other than your own legal name.
Business registration and tax basics go hand in hand with compliance. In addition to BN, register your BC Business Name if applicable; consider GST/HST registration with the CRA based on your revenue or business plan; and arrange Payroll Deductions Registration if you hire employees. Maintaining these registrations ensures you can issue proper receipts, file taxes, and comply with payroll rules. WorkSafeBC coverage for workplaces remains essential if you have staff.
Next steps and encouragement: start with the BN application, then tackle the municipal licence and any BC name registration. Check Surrey’s licensing rules, estimate whether GST/HST and payroll registrations apply, and set up a simple compliance calendar. With these essentials in place, you’ll be ready to launch your reupholstery and furniture repair business confidently and legally.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a reupholstery and furniture repair in Surrey:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 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).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Surrey. Apply to City of Surrey 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 Surrey Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired 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.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired 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.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your reupholstery and furniture repair:
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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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