Home-Based furniture trade supplier

Interior designers, independent furniture shops, small hotels, restaurants, B&Bs and offices that want a reliable trade source.

The gap between the trade price you pay the manufacturer and the price you charge your customer, often on larger orders or whole-room and whole-venue fit-outs.

• Selling to businesses
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Careful order tracking
• Knowing furniture quality and styles

• Check with your province how to register a business and how to buy for resale without paying sales tax (resale certificates differ by province)
• Register for GST/HST with the CRA once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check your province's rules on PST or QST
• Check that products meet Canadian safety and labelling rules, including composite wood formaldehyde limits and any rules for children's furniture
• Damaged or late deliveries come back to you, so agree returns and claims terms with each manufacturer
• Business customers often pay on credit terms, so check new accounts and consider deposits on big orders
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether you need commercial general liability insurance

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the samples, catalogue and website you set up. Orders ship direct from the manufacturer, so you hold no stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many business customers you win and the size of their orders. Business customers often pay on credit terms, which can affect your cash flow.

Check how to register a business in your province and how to buy for resale without paying sales tax. Check GST/HST registration, PST or QST rules, Canadian product safety and labelling rules, and any municipal home-based licence or insurance needs.