Cleaning supplies delivery to local businesses

Cleaning companies, small shops, restaurants, property managers, offices and some larger households.

You sell at a markup over your wholesale price. Repeat orders on a regular schedule, with a delivery fee or minimum order, keep the income steady.

• Selling to businesses
• Organising stock and deliveries
• Careful, safe handling of products
• Reliable customer service

• Workplace products usually need safety data sheets and labels under WHMIS, check what your suppliers provide and what customers will ask for
• Some chemicals count as dangerous goods when transported, check Transport Canada's rules before loading your vehicle
• Storing chemicals at home may affect your home insurance and local zoning, check with your insurer and municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance and vehicle cover for business use
• In Quebec, product labelling and customer communication may need to be in French
• Large customers may pay slowly, so set payment terms from the start

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy in bulk, where you store it and what you need for deliveries.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many regular business customers you serve and the size of their orders. The idea starts at about 15 hours a week.

Things to check: WHMIS safety data sheets and labels from your suppliers; Transport Canada rules for dangerous goods; home insurance and zoning if storing chemicals at home; business and vehicle insurance; and French labelling requirements in Quebec.