Hose and fittings trade counter
Run a small unit selling hose and fittings over the counter and making up hoses for local trades and farms.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small industrial unit with hose reels, fittings, a cutting and crimping bench and a trade counter. Customers walk in, call ahead or set up accounts.
Your first three steps
- Check for a unit in an industrial area near farms, workshops or a transport hub, and compare rent
- Talk to distributors about trade accounts, minimum orders and training on hydraulic hose assembly
- Pre-sign a few local businesses for account trade before you open
Who pays
Tradies, farmers, mechanics, contractors and local industrial businesses.
How it makes money
Margin on hose, fittings and clamps, plus charges for custom-made hoses and testing. Trade accounts give steady repeat sales.
Skills that help
- Hose and fitting technical knowledge
- Stock control and buying
- Selling to trade customers
Watch out for
- Public liability, product liability and contents insurance
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, as schemes vary by state
- Check zoning and council requirements for your unit and signage
- Stock and rent costs are high, so sales need to cover them from early on
- Safe pressure testing and manual handling of heavy coils
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: hose and fittings trade counter
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a hose and fittings trade counter?
Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your unit, hose reels and fittings stock, and your cutting and crimping equipment. Stock and rent costs are high, so sales need to cover them early.
How much revenue can a hose trade counter make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, trade accounts and stock range. These are estimates, not guarantees, and sales need to cover stock and rent costs.
What rules and insurance should I check before opening a trade counter?
Check zoning and council requirements for your unit and signage. Look into public liability, product liability and contents insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff, as schemes vary by state. Plan for safe pressure testing and manual handling.
Other ways to run this business
Mobile hose and fittings van
Drive to farms, workshops and worksites with hose stock, and make or replace hoses on the spot.
- A$25k-80k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online hose and fittings reseller
Sell hoses, clamps and fittings online to farms and tradies from home, posted from a small stock room.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
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Photo: jackmac34 on Pixabay