Concrete blocks and paving yard

Local builders, landscapers, bricklayers and homeowners doing patios, driveways and retaining walls.

You buy from manufacturers at trade prices and sell at a margin. Delivery fees and cut-to-size or pick-up services add to each order.

• Product knowledge and estimating quantities
• Dealing with builders and tradies
• Stock control and scheduling deliveries

• Council zoning and planning approval for a yard with trucks and deliveries
• The licence class needed for your delivery vehicle, check with your state's transport authority
• Public liability and goods-in-transit insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Heavy lifting and forklift use, check what training and licences apply in your state
• Silica dust if you cut concrete products, so check your state's work health and safety rules
• Cash flow, since you may pay suppliers before trade customers pay you

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your yard, delivery vehicle and opening stock. Treat these as estimates. Cash flow matters because you may pay suppliers before trade customers pay you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your range, location and how many builders, landscapers and homeowners buy from you. This is revenue, not profit.

Check council zoning and planning approval for a yard with trucks and deliveries, and the licence class needed for your delivery vehicle with your state's transport authority. Also check forklift training and licences, and silica dust rules if you cut concrete products.