Home-Based furnace parts sourcing service

Maintenance contractors, plant maintenance teams, small manufacturers and heat-treating shops that need parts quickly and don't have time to chase suppliers.

A markup on each part sold, plus a fee for rush orders or sourcing obsolete parts. Repeat orders from a few regular maintenance accounts build steady income.

• Reading part numbers and spec sheets
• Following up with suppliers and customers
• Building trust with trade buyers

• Check whether suppliers require a dealer agreement or limit who can resell their brands in Canada
• Parts for gas-fired equipment may need to meet certification standards (such as CSA); check with your provincial gas or fuel safety regulator
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, since a wrong or faulty part can cause costly downtime or damage
• Check return and warranty terms with suppliers before promising customers anything
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and whether you need to register for GST/HST
• Cross-border shipping, customs and exchange rates can eat into margins on imported parts

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on whether you hold any stock and how you set up your home office. These are estimates, so check supplier terms and your own needs before you commit money.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your customer base, the parts you handle and your margins. Cross-border shipping, customs and exchange rates can eat into margins on imported parts, so price them in.

Check whether suppliers require a dealer agreement or limit who can resell their brands in Canada. Parts for gas-fired equipment may need certification such as CSA, so check with your provincial regulator. Also check insurance, return terms, home-based licensing and GST/HST.