Home-Based marble slab and tile supplier

Kitchen and bathroom fitters, countertop fabricators, masons, small builders, interior designers and homeowners doing renovations.

You buy at trade prices and sell at a markup, by the slab, tile or square foot, plus a delivery charge. Larger jobs, such as a full kitchen or a bathroom floor, bring bigger orders from repeat trade clients.

• Sales and negotiating with suppliers
• Knowing marble types, finishes and grades
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Clear communication with trades and homeowners

• Commercial general liability insurance, and cargo or goods-in-transit cover for fragile, heavy slabs
• Who is responsible for breakage or defects in transit, so agree this in writing with your suppliers
• If you import directly, check duties, tariffs and customs requirements with the Canada Border Services Agency or a customs broker
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and how GST/HST, provincial sales tax or QST applies to you
• Marble is natural stone, so colour and veining vary. Make sure customers approve the actual slab or a close sample
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage, websites and documents

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on samples, marketing and how you arrange storage and delivery. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the customers and orders you win.

Check commercial general liability and goods-in-transit cover for fragile slabs, and agree breakage responsibility with suppliers in writing. If you import, check duties and customs with the CBSA or a broker. Also check home business licensing, sales tax, and French-language rules in Quebec.

You need sales and supplier negotiation skills, knowledge of marble types, finishes and grades, and good order and delivery organisation. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week. Make sure customers approve the actual slab or a close sample.