Door showroom and trade counter

Builders, joiners and renovators buying on trade accounts, plus homeowners who want to see and handle a door before buying.

Margin on door, frame and hardware sales. Pre-hung doors, hardware packs, cutting to size and local delivery add to each sale.

• Product knowledge of doors and hardware
• Stock control and purchasing
• Customer service at the counter
• Managing trade accounts

• Check zoning and any council approval for your premises and signage
• Public liability, product liability and contents insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff (state schemes)
• Stock tied up in unsold doors, so start with fast sellers and order in the rest
• Forklift or other high-risk work licences may be needed for handling stock, check your state's work health and safety regulator
• Doors may need to meet National Construction Code and Australian Standards requirements, check with suppliers
• Trade customers paying late can strain cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, display doors, stockroom and how much stock you hold. Starting with fast sellers and ordering in the rest can limit money tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your location, trade accounts and stock range. Expect full-time hours, at least about 40 a week. Late-paying trade customers can strain cash flow.

Check zoning and any council approval for your premises and signage, plus insurance and workers compensation once you hire. Check your state's work health and safety regulator about forklift or high-risk work licences, and ask suppliers about National Construction Code and Australian Standards requirements.