Container sales broker (home-based)

Builders, farmers, small businesses and households who need secure storage, a site shed or a workshop.

You earn the margin between the supplier's price and your sale price, plus a delivery fee. Some brokers also arrange hire of containers for short jobs.

• Quoting and negotiating
• Organising deliveries and carriers
• Clear customer communication

• Check with the local council whether customers need approval to place a container on their property, as rules differ by council and state
• Check the condition of each container (watertight, doors, rust) before you sell and be clear about the grade
• Australian Consumer Law applies to what you advertise and sell, so be accurate about condition and delivery times
• Take deposits carefully and make sure payment terms with customers and suppliers are written down
• Check the carriers' insurance and who is responsible if a container is damaged in transit
• Check when you need to register for GST

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how you set up your business. As a broker you never hold stock, so costs stay low. These are estimates, so confirm your own setup costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many containers you sell and the mix of new and used units. These are estimates only and are not a guarantee of income.

Check with the local council whether customers need approval to place a container, as rules differ by council and state. Australian Consumer Law applies to your advertising, so be accurate about condition. Also check carrier insurance and when to register for GST.