Online cast iron and metal hardware store

Home owners restoring older houses, renovators, designers, carpenters and small builders who can't find these items in local stores.

Margin on each product sold, with higher-value sets and bundles and repeat orders from trade customers.

• Knowing metal hardware and finishes
• Product photography and listings
• Order handling and shipping

• Cast iron is heavy, so check shipping costs and packaging before setting prices
• Check how GST/HST, PST and QST apply to online sales to customers in different provinces
• Import duties and supplier quality if buying from overseas, so test samples first
• Quebec has French-language rules for labelling and websites, so check what applies if you sell there
• Product liability and commercial general liability insurance, especially for load-bearing items such as brackets and hooks
• Check whether a home-based business licence is needed from your municipality if you store stock at home

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you hold or ship direct from suppliers. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche and how many orders you win.

Check how GST/HST, PST and QST apply to sales across provinces, import duties and supplier quality if buying overseas, and French-language rules if you sell in Quebec. Also check product liability insurance for load-bearing items and any home-based licence if you store stock at home.

Cast iron is heavy, so check shipping costs and packaging before setting prices. Skills that help include knowing metal hardware and finishes, product photography and listings, and order handling. Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week.