Commercial seating reseller (home-based)

Cafe and restaurant owners, fit-out companies, office managers, schools, clubs and councils.

You earn a margin on the seating you sell, plus a fee or mark-up for project management and arranging installation.

• Sales and quoting
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Building relationships with suppliers and fit-out trades

• Public liability and product liability insurance, check what your insurer needs for resold furniture
• Check that seating meets relevant Australian Standards and fire-safety needs for the venue type
• Long lead times on imported stock and deposits you may need to pay up front
• Check with your local council whether a home-based business needs approval
• Get written warranty and returns terms from suppliers before you quote

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your set-up and any deposits you need to pay suppliers up front. Treat this as an estimate and check supplier terms before you quote clients.

Check that seating meets relevant Australian Standards and fire-safety needs for the venue type. Also check your local council about home-based business approval, and what public liability and product liability cover your insurer requires for resold furniture.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many clients you win and the size of their orders. Long lead times on imported stock can affect cash flow, so check supplier warranty and returns terms first.