Small Granite Slab Yard with Remnant Sales

Local fabricators, builders and renovators, plus homeowners and DIYers buying remnants for smaller projects.

You sell slabs and remnants at a markup over your purchase cost. You can add income from delivery, cutting referrals and stone for landscaping or building work.

• Sales and customer service
• Knowing stone types and quality
• Managing inventory and cash flow
• Safe handling of heavy materials

• Slab stock ties up a lot of cash, so start with fast-selling colours and keep an eye on slow movers
• Heavy slabs are a serious injury risk, so check provincial workplace safety rules for racking, lifting and forklift training
• Commercial general liability and property or stock insurance
• Zoning and business licence requirements from your municipality
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff, with rules that vary by province
• Import duties and tariffs on imported stone, plus GST/HST registration
• In Quebec, French-language requirements may apply to signage and documents

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $60,000 to $200,000, depending on your premises, racking, equipment and opening stock. Slab stock ties up a lot of cash, so starting with fast-selling colours may help.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your stock, location and fabricator and builder customers. Plan on at least about 35 hours a week.

Things to check: provincial workplace safety rules for racking, lifting and forklift training, zoning and municipal business licence requirements, and stock and liability insurance. Also check WCB/WSIB when hiring, import duties, GST/HST, and Quebec French-language rules.