Granite slab broker for fabricators and builders

Stone fabricators, kitchen and bathroom builders, renovators and homeowners who want a particular stone.

You add a margin on each slab or job. Some sales are one-off slab orders, and repeat trade customers can bring steady orders.

• Knowing natural stone types and finishes
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Organising freight and deliveries
• Building trade relationships

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need goods in transit cover
• Slabs are heavy and break easily, so agree clearly who is responsible for damage during freight
• Check import and labelling rules if you bring in stone yourself, and the safe handling rules for silica dust with your state's work health and safety regulator
• Check whether home-based business needs council approval where you live
• Late-paying trade customers can strain cash flow, so consider deposits

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many samples you buy, your insurance and your marketing. Because you arrange delivery straight to fabricators or sites rather than holding stock, you avoid the cost of a yard.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many fabricators and builders you supply and the stone they order. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for supplier and freight costs. Expect at least about 15 hours a week.

Check public liability insurance and whether you need goods in transit cover. Agree who is responsible for freight damage. If you import stone yourself, check import and labelling rules and silica dust handling with your state's work health and safety regulator. Also check council approval for a home business.