Mobile pipe and fittings supplier for tradies

Plumbers, drainers, builders and maintenance contractors who lose time and money driving to a supplier during the day.

You buy at trade prices and sell with a margin, often adding a delivery fee or minimum order. Regular accounts with local tradies give repeat orders.

• Knowing pipe types, sizes and fittings
• Organised stock control
• Reliable driving and time management
• Building trade relationships

• Plumbing products often need to carry WaterMark certification, so check what applies before you stock anything
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus goods-in-transit and vehicle cover
• Solvent cements and primers are flammable, so check storage and transport rules with your state regulator and council
• Tradies on credit accounts can pay late, so set clear payment terms and credit limits
• Large chains and established suppliers compete on price, so focus on speed and convenience
• Check whether council approval is needed if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your van, the range of pipes and fittings you stock and any storage space you need. Insurance for goods in transit and your vehicle should also be budgeted.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your hours, the size of your delivery rounds and the tradies you supply. This is revenue, before stock, fuel and other costs.

Check whether plumbing products need WaterMark certification before you stock them. Also check storage and transport rules for flammable solvent cements and primers with your state regulator and council, insurance cover, and whether council approval is needed to store stock at home.