Niche electrical supplier for local contractors

Electricians, electrical contractors, builders, renovators, property managers and small independent retailers.

You buy in bulk at trade prices and sell at a margin, often with volume discounts and account terms for regular customers. Repeat orders from a handful of contractors matter more than one-off sales.

• Knowing electrical products well enough to advise trade buyers
• Negotiating with suppliers and distributors
• Organised stock and order tracking
• Building long-term customer relationships

• Electrical products generally need to carry a recognised Canadian certification mark (such as CSA); check which accredited marks apply before you buy or sell
• Imported or cheap online stock may not be certified, which creates safety and liability risk
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance; check cover with a broker
• Cash tied up in stock and customers paying late on account terms
• Check your municipality for a home-based business licence if you store or ship from home, and your provincial rules on labelling (including French in Quebec)
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold

Estimates put startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000 CAD, depending on the product range you stock, your storage space, your trade website and insurance. Cash tied up in stock is a key factor in where you land.

Check which recognised Canadian certification marks, such as CSA, apply to each product before you buy or sell. Also check product liability insurance, provincial labelling rules (including French in Quebec), any home-based licence, and GST/HST registration.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on your product range and how many contractors you supply. The time needed is estimated at around 15 hours a week or more.