Home-Based natural stone trader

Stone fabricators, tile and paving retailers, landscapers, builders and architects or designers buying for projects.

You buy in bulk at a trade price and sell at a margin per slab, pallet or square metre. Larger project orders and repeat trade accounts bring steadier income.

• Sales and negotiation with trade buyers
• Knowing stone types, finishes and quality grades
• Organising orders, shipping and paperwork

• Cash tied up in stock and deposits, so check payment terms with suppliers and customers
• Import costs, duties, GST on imports and biosecurity requirements, so talk to a customs broker and check with the federal agriculture department
• Stone quality varies between batches, so inspect samples and agree what happens with damaged or mismatched stock
• Public liability and goods-in-transit or stock insurance
• Council approval for a home-based business, if you receive any deliveries or customers at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the stone you buy, deposits to suppliers, shipping and insurance. Cash can be tied up in stock and deposits, so check payment terms.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the volume you sell and the hours you work. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for product, freight and import costs.

Check import costs, duties, GST on imports and biosecurity requirements with a customs broker and the federal agriculture department. Also check council approval for a home-based business if deliveries or customers come to your home, and cover for public liability and goods in transit.