Start an appointment-only fireplace dealership

Homeowners upgrading or adding a fireplace or stove, and small builders who want one person to handle supply and coordination.

Margin on units, venting and accessories, plus a project coordination fee. Fewer fixed costs than a showroom, but you rely on referrals and good online presence.

• Consultative selling
• Measuring and basic technical knowledge
• Organising suppliers and installers
• Clear quoting and follow-up

• If you only sell and coordinate, you may not need a trade licence yourself, but check with your provincial regulator (for example the gas safety authority in your province) before you do or arrange any installation work
• Gas and wood appliance installation generally needs certified people, so confirm who holds the credentials and who carries responsibility if a partner does the install
• Check business name registration, and GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, for your province
• Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence or zoning approval is required
• Warranty and liability if something goes wrong, so get written agreements with installers
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your policy covers coordinating installation work
• Customers often like to see flames and finishes in person, so consider partnering with a showroom or lending samples
• Sales cluster in autumn and winter, so plan for quieter months

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your samples, tools, vehicle needs and how you set up your supplier and installer relationships. Without a showroom, costs are much lower.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your local market, how many homes you visit and the units you sell. Sales tend to cluster in autumn and winter.

Check with your provincial regulator whether you need any licence, and confirm that certified people do any gas or wood installation. Also check business name and tax registration, home-based business or zoning rules, and insurance.