How to read these numbers when flipping furniture
Profit margin tells you what share of the sale price you keep after every cost. Experienced flippers typically target 30–40% margin or better. Below 25% and you are absorbing too much risk for surprise costs — a broken leg mid-restoration or a deal that sits 6 weeks before selling.
ROI (return on investment) measures how hard your cash is working. A 100% ROI means you doubled your money. For fast-turnover flips picked up and relisted within a week, even 50–80% ROI compounds into strong monthly income. For slow-moving or heavy-restoration pieces, aim higher to justify the extra time and capital tied up.
Platform fees are easy to underestimate. Facebook Marketplace is ~0%, which looks free — until you compare it to eBay at ~13% or Chairish at ~20% and realize a $300 piece nets you $39–60 less. Running the fee before you price matters, especially for higher-ticket pieces where margin compression is felt the most.
Transport eats profit quietly. A $40 truck rental, $25 in gas, or a $60 delivery courier can convert a solid deal into a break-even. Always include transport in your cost estimate before committing — especially for large case pieces or anything requiring two people.
The real edge in furniture flipping is not hustle — it is seeing mispriced inventory before the other buyers do. Speed of discovery directly translates to better purchase prices and healthier margins.