Start a local building supplies yard

Tradies, small builders, renovators and keen DIYers in your area, plus some local councils and maintenance firms.

You buy in bulk from suppliers and sell at a margin. Extra income comes from delivery fees, cut-to-size services and trade accounts paid monthly.

• Knowing building materials
• Sales and customer service
• Stock control and ordering
• Managing cash flow

• Zoning and council approval for a yard or shopfront, check before signing a lease
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• A forklift or high risk work licence may be needed, check with your state work safety regulator
• Storage rules for dangerous goods such as gas or chemicals, check your state requirements
• Cash tied up in stock and long trade payment terms from customers
• Competition from large chains on price, so plan how you will stand out on service and speed

Our estimates put startup costs typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the size of your premises, the range of stock you carry and how you set up the yard. Treat this as a guide and get your own quotes before committing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your range, location and customer base. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, rent and wages. Estimates assume full-time hours of around 40 a week or more.

Check zoning and council approval for a yard or shopfront before signing a lease. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, any forklift or high risk work licence with your state regulator, and your state's storage requirements for dangerous goods such as gas or chemicals.