Bark and mulch supply yard

Landscaping crews, garden centres, property maintenance firms, municipalities and homeowners buying larger quantities.

You sell by the cubic yard or in bagged lots, add delivery charges, and can win repeat accounts with landscapers and garden centres.

• Running a loader or skid steer safely
• Buying, stock control and pricing
• Building trade relationships

• Zoning and any business licence or permit needed for bulk storage and customer visits, so check with your municipality
• Large mulch piles can overheat and catch fire, so check fire safety advice and your insurer's requirements
• Check stormwater and runoff rules for outdoor material storage with your municipality or province
• Workplace safety rules for equipment, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire staff
• Strong seasonality, with a quiet winter, so plan cash for slow months
• Buy only clean wood products, as treated or contaminated wood can harm your reputation

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on your yard, equipment and opening stock. These are estimates only, so price up your own site, loader and first purchases before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your stock range, customer mix and whether you deliver. Sales are strongly seasonal with a quiet winter, so plan cash for the slow months.

Check zoning and any business licence or permit for bulk storage and customer visits with your municipality. Also check fire safety for large piles and your insurer's requirements, stormwater and runoff rules, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire.