Playground equipment reseller (subcontracted install)

Primary schools, childcare centres and nurseries, local councils, parks groups and body corporates.

A margin on the equipment you supply, plus a fitting charge that covers your subcontractor and your project management time.

• Sales and quoting
• Organising projects and suppliers
• Patience with school and council buying processes

• Check that equipment and installation meet the relevant Australian Standards for playgrounds and impact-absorbing surfacing (such as the AS 4685 and AS 4422 series)
• Public liability and product liability insurance with limits that suit schools and councils, and check what your installer carries too
• Check state rules on working with children checks for anyone working on school or childcare sites
• Councils and education departments often buy through tenders or approved supplier panels, so sales cycles can be slow
• Check with your local council about home-based business approval, and be careful about taking deposits before you have confirmed manufacturer lead times

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your samples, website, insurance and how you set up your home office. Treat this as a guide and get your own quotes before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many manufacturers you represent and how quickly schools and councils buy. Revenue is not profit, and sales cycles can be slow.

Check that equipment and installation meet the relevant Australian Standards, such as the AS 4685 and AS 4422 series. Also check insurance limits, state working with children check rules, council home-business approval, and tender or approved supplier panel requirements.