Garage door trade counter and supply unit
Stock doors, springs and openers in a small unit so local installers and builders can collect same day.
- C$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small warehouse or unit with a trade counter. It stocks popular door sizes and styles, openers, tracks, springs and hardware. Installers and builders can pick up the same day, and you can arrange deliveries or special orders for bigger jobs.
Your first three steps
- Visit installers and builders in your area to see what they buy, from whom and what frustrates them
- Contact manufacturers and wholesalers about dealer terms, minimum orders and delivery to your region
- Look at small industrial units near trade routes and price the lease, racking and a delivery vehicle
Who pays
Installers, repair companies, home builders, renovators and property maintenance firms. Some suppliers also serve handy homeowners.
How it makes money
You earn a markup on doors and parts bought from manufacturers and wholesalers. Extra income comes from delivery fees, special orders and trade account volume.
Skills that help
- Knowing door types, sizes and insulation options
- Buying and stock control
- Sales and relationship building with trades
- Basic bookkeeping and credit control
Watch out for
- Stock is a big upfront cost and doors are bulky, so start with fast sellers and order the rest on demand
- Check zoning and any business licence needed for a trade counter with your municipality
- Commercial general liability and property or stock insurance, and ask your broker about product liability
- Check manufacturer dealer agreements, including exclusive territories and pricing rules
- Offering trade credit can strain cash flow, so check customers and set clear payment terms
- Winter slows installation work in many regions, so plan for seasonal swings in sales
- Check WCB or WSIB rules in your province before you hire counter or warehouse staff
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: garage door trade counter and supply unit
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 open a garage door supply unit in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises and stock. Stock is a big upfront cost and doors are bulky, so start with fast sellers and order the rest on demand.
What licences and rules apply to a garage door trade counter in Canada?
Things to check: zoning and any business licence for a trade counter with your municipality, liability and stock insurance, manufacturer dealer agreements including territories and pricing rules, and WCB or WSIB rules in your province before you hire staff.
How much can a garage door trade counter earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your range and trade customers. It is estimated at a minimum of about 35 hours a week. Winter can slow installs, and trade credit can strain cash flow.
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