Local furnace and parts shop

Homeowners replacing an old furnace, landlords, small contractors and handy people buying parts for repairs.

Margin on furnaces and parts sold, plus fees or referral income from installation. Busy season is fall and winter, and emergency replacements in a cold snap can be a large share of sales.

• Basic knowledge of home heating systems
• Customer service and clear quoting
• Stock and supplier management

• Installing gas appliances usually requires a provincially certified gas fitter and permits, so check your provincial regulator (for example TSSA in Ontario or Technical Safety BC)
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
• Warranty rules, which may require installation by an approved contractor
• Heavy seasonality, so plan your cash flow for slow summer months
• Check any provincial or federal energy-efficiency rebate programs, as they can affect what customers buy
• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail premises

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises, stock levels and showroom setup. Your total will vary with the range of furnaces and parts you carry.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock and installer partnerships. Demand is heavily seasonal, so plan your cash flow for the slow summer months.

Check this carefully: installing gas appliances usually requires a provincially certified gas fitter and permits, so ask your provincial regulator, such as TSSA in Ontario or Technical Safety BC. Also check warranty rules, insurance and municipal business licence and zoning.