Delivered paint and finishing supplies for trades
Supply paints, varnishes and finishing products to trades by delivering to job sites from a van and small storage space.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A lean supply business with no shop. You take orders by phone or text, pick up or hold a limited stock of popular finishes and sundries, and deliver to contractors on site so they don't lose time driving to a store.
Your first three steps
- Talk to ten local painters and joiners about what they buy most and what delivery would be worth to them
- Apply for trade or reseller accounts with a few manufacturers or distributors and compare pricing and minimum orders
- Set up a small secure, ventilated storage space and a simple price list, then offer a first delivery to a contractor
Who pays
Painting contractors, joiners, cabinet makers and renovation crews who value time saved, plus small property managers.
How it makes money
You earn a margin on products bought through wholesale or trade accounts, sometimes with a small delivery fee. Standing orders from regular contractors give steady sales.
Skills that help
- Knowing finishing products and what trades need
- Reliable driving and route planning
- Selling and relationship building
Watch out for
- Rules for storing and transporting flammable products, including Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements, check with your province and municipality
- Home-based business licence rules and fire code limits if you store stock at home
- WHMIS requirements and provincial paint stewardship fees, check what applies to resellers
- Commercial auto and commercial general liability insurance that covers carrying and selling coatings
- Late-paying trade accounts, consider deposits or short payment terms
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: delivered paint and finishing supplies for trades
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a paint and finishing supply delivery business?
Startup costs are typically estimated around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your van, the amount of stock you hold, storage space and insurance. A lean, no-shop model keeps overheads lower.
How much can a delivered finishing supplies business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many trade accounts you win and what you stock. Late-paying trade accounts can strain cash flow, so consider deposits or short payment terms.
What rules should I check before selling and delivering paint to trades?
Check rules for storing and transporting flammable products, including Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements. Also check home-based licence and fire code limits, WHMIS and provincial paint stewardship fees for resellers, and commercial auto and liability insurance.
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