Solid Fuel Delivery: Firewood, Briquettes and Coal

Households with wood heaters or fireplaces, cafes and restaurants with wood-fired ovens, farms and rural properties, hobby blacksmiths and small workshops.

You sell by the bag, bundle, tonne or trailer load and add a delivery fee. Margin comes from buying in bulk, and repeat customers re-order each cold season.

• Comfortable with heavy manual work
• Safe driving and load handling
• Basic sales and customer service
• Organised stock and delivery scheduling

• Public liability insurance, plus vehicle insurance that covers carrying goods for business use
• Council approval for storing stock at home or on a yard, and any zoning rules for a home-based business
• Wood heater and burning restrictions, and rules on where firewood can be sourced, which vary by state and council, so check locally
• Sell only seasoned, properly sourced wood, as wet or illegally harvested timber causes complaints and legal risk
• Safe load restraint and manual handling, to avoid injury and fines
• Demand is seasonal and weather-dependent, with most sales in the cooler months, so plan your cash flow
• Check any rules on storing and selling coal or charcoal, including dust and fire safety

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your vehicle and trailer, how much stock you buy and how you store it. Treat these as estimates and get your own quotes before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your area, pricing and how many deliveries you manage. Most sales fall in the cooler months, so plan your cash flow for quieter periods.

Check council approval for storing stock at home or on a yard, and wood heater and burning restrictions, which vary by state and council. Also check firewood sourcing rules, insurance covering goods carried, and any rules on storing and selling coal or charcoal.