Home-Run carpet supplier with low stock

Independent flooring shops, carpet fitters and small renovation firms that want a local trade contact.

A margin between your trade buying price and the price you charge for each roll, cut length or underlay order, plus delivery charges where suitable.

• Sales and phone or email follow-up
• Product knowledge of carpet types and underlay
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Negotiating with suppliers

• Margins can be thin if you do not hold stock, so check supplier pricing and freight before quoting
• Order mistakes and damaged freight can be costly, agree who is responsible with each supplier
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers business use
• Home-based business licence or zoning rules, check with your municipality
• GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, check with the CRA and your province
• Trade credit risk if you offer payment terms to customers
• Suppliers may restrict your territory or require minimum volumes, so read agreements carefully

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your sample books, the small amount of stock you hold and how you set up your home office. Check supplier pricing and freight before you quote customers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your supplier terms, your customers and how many orders you win. Margins can be thin without stock, so check supplier pricing and freight first.

Check home-based business licence or zoning rules with your municipality, and GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration with the CRA and your province. Also look at commercial liability insurance, whether home insurance covers business use, and supplier territory or minimum volume terms.