Fencing materials supplier, delivered to site

Homeowners, small fencing contractors and landscapers who want a quote and delivery without driving to a yard.

You earn the margin between supplier prices and your selling price, plus delivery charges. Repeat contractors who order each week are the steadiest income.

• Reading plans and measuring fence runs for quotes
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Online selling and customer service
• Organising orders and deliveries

• Margins can be thin if suppliers sell to the public at similar prices, so check your cost prices first
• Delivery mistakes and damaged goods, agree clearly with suppliers who is responsible
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Council approval may be needed to run a home-based business, check with your local council
• Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds and product descriptions
• Register for GST once you reach the turnover threshold and keep clear records of supplier invoices

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website, phone setup, insurance and any small local delivery arrangements. Because suppliers deliver direct to site, you don't need a big yard.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many jobs you quote and win. That is revenue, not profit, and margins can be thin if suppliers sell to the public at similar prices, so check cost prices first.

Check public liability and product liability insurance, whether your local council needs to approve a home-based business, your Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds and product descriptions, and when to register for GST at the turnover threshold.