Small cabinet showroom

Homeowners renovating kitchens and bathrooms, plus contractors, builders, landlords and property managers who buy regularly.

Margin on each cabinet order, often with a deposit upfront. Extra income from design fees, hardware, countertop referrals and repeat trade accounts.

• Reading plans and measuring spaces
• Selling and quoting clearly
• Building relationships with contractors
• Managing suppliers and deliveries

• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for stock and display units
• Check municipal business licence and zoning rules for retail premises
• Check GST/HST, and PST or QST where it applies, and when to register
• Quebec showrooms have French-language requirements for signs and documents, so check them
• Measuring and ordering errors can be costly, so double-check every order
• Check who is responsible for damaged deliveries, warranties and returns in your supplier agreement

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, display units and stock. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $15,000 to $70,000, depending on how many homeowners and contractors you serve.

Check municipal business licence and zoning rules for retail premises, and when to register for GST/HST, plus PST or QST where it applies. Quebec showrooms have French-language requirements for signs and documents. Also check commercial general liability insurance covering stock and display units.

Estimates suggest at least about 40 hours a week. Useful skills include reading plans, measuring spaces, clear quoting and managing suppliers. Double-check every order, since measuring and ordering errors can be costly.