A glass and aluminum shop makes and installs windows, doors, storefronts, shower enclosures and mirrors, priced by the square metre. Most start in a small street-front shop with a cutting area, a fabricator, a helper and a multicab for deliveries. The money is in accurate measuring, careful cutting that keeps breakage and offcuts low, and a downpayment that covers the materials.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a glass and aluminum shop in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a small shop with a work area in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱547,330 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into equipment and tools (₱72,000), vehicle (₱228,000), opening stock (₱90,000), space and setup (₱25,000), permits and deposits (₱57,000), launch (₱5,000) and working capital (₱70,330). Other ways to start: home-based installer at ₱150,000–₱250,000 and fabrication and installation contractor at ₱1.5 million–₱3 million.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱70,330 a month; the biggest are fabricator (₱18,200), installer-helper (₱15,600) and shop rent (₱15,000). Each square metre sold earns about ₱1,610 after its own costs, so the break-even is 44 square metres a month, and the startup capital takes about 12 months to come back at full sales.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A glass and aluminum shop also needs: building or renovation permit, work permit at condos, malls and offices and contractor's licence for large projects. Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • Along a main road near hardware stores
  • Near new subdivisions and housing projects
  • Close to glass and aluminum suppliers
  • Commercial areas where stores are fitting out

Mistakes to avoid

  • Wrong measurements. Measure every opening twice, write sizes on the job order and have the client sign it.
  • Glass breaks in transport or installation. An A-frame, padding and straps, glass carried upright by two people, and a breakage allowance in every price.
  • Clients delay the balance. A 50% downpayment, the balance on turnover and a signed turnover form.
  • Cuts and injuries. Gloves, goggles and arm guards, a shard bin, and a first-aid kit within reach.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Glass & Aluminum Shop · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.