Wood heater and fireplace showroom

Homeowners in cooler areas, people renovating or building, and builders or plumbers who want a supplier they can send clients to.

Margin on heaters and accessories, plus a referral fee or margin on installation packages. Annual servicing and flue-cleaning referrals bring repeat custom.

• Friendly, knowledgeable sales advice
• Understanding heating output and home size
• Managing stock and supplier orders

• Rules on wood heater installs and emissions vary by state, territory and council, and some areas restrict new wood heaters. Check with your local council
• Installation usually needs a licensed tradesperson, and requirements differ by state. Check your state's licensing body before offering install packages
• Check that any heater you sell meets the relevant Australian standards for your area
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus Australian Consumer Law warranty obligations
• Sales are seasonal, so plan cash flow for the warmer months
• Lease terms, stock costs and display units tie up a lot of money before the first sale

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your lease, display units, stock and fit-out. These are estimates only. Display heaters and stock tie up a lot of money before your first sale.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, range and how many heaters you sell. These are estimates, not guarantees, and revenue is not profit. Sales are seasonal, so plan for the warmer months.

Rules on installs and emissions vary by state, territory and council, and some areas restrict new wood heaters, so check with your council. Also check licensing for installers, that heaters meet relevant Australian standards, and insurance and Australian Consumer Law warranty obligations.