Order-based water heater supplier
Sell water heaters to local plumbers and heating contractors, ordered from suppliers and delivered to site, without a big stockroom.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A lean supplier that quotes and sells tank and tankless water heaters, parts and fittings to plumbing and heating contractors. You order from manufacturers or larger distributors when a job comes in and have the unit shipped or delivered to the contractor or job site. You hold little or no stock.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local plumbers about what they buy, where they buy it and what frustrates them about their current supplier
- Contact manufacturers and distributors about a dealer or reseller account and their trade pricing, minimums and warranty process
- Set up a simple quoting system and offer a few contractors a quote on their next job
Who pays
Independent plumbers, HVAC and heating contractors, small renovation firms and property managers who want a quick quote and reliable delivery.
How it makes money
You buy at trade price and sell with a margin on each unit, plus fees for delivery and sometimes for sourcing hard-to-find models. Repeat orders from a handful of contractors matter more than one-off sales.
Skills that help
- Understanding water heater types and sizing
- Sales and relationship building with contractors
- Organised order, delivery and warranty tracking
Watch out for
- Dealer agreements may set territories, minimum orders or credit terms, so read them carefully
- Check that units are certified for sale in Canada (for example CSA marks) and that you understand warranty and returns responsibilities
- Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, check what your insurer needs
- GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, and any home-based business licence from your municipality
- Cash flow: you may pay suppliers before contractors pay you
- Winter is often busy with emergency replacements, so plan for fast delivery
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: order-based water heater supplier
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 start a water heater supply business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your quoting tools, insurance, supplier set-up and any working capital you need. Ordering only when a job comes in keeps stock costs low.
How much can a water heater supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many contractors you serve, the units you sell and your pricing. Cash flow matters, since you may pay suppliers before contractors pay you.
What rules should I check before supplying water heaters?
Check dealer agreement terms such as territories and minimum orders, and that units are certified for sale in Canada. Also check warranty and returns duties, liability insurance, GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, and home-based business licensing.
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