Order-based masonry supplier with site delivery

Sell bricks, stone and cement to trades online and by phone, with suppliers delivering straight to site.

Pallets of bricks, blocks and stone stacked in a builders merchant yard.
Startup costC$5k to C$25k
Monthly revenueC$3k to C$15k
Time needed15+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A masonry supply business with little or no yard. You take orders by website, phone or email, buy from manufacturers or wholesalers, and arrange delivery directly to the job site or through a local haulier.

Your first three steps

  1. Ask regional manufacturers and wholesalers if they offer dealer pricing and direct-to-site delivery for small accounts
  2. Build a simple website or catalogue with a quote request form and a materials calculator
  3. Offer a few local contractors a trial order with a clear delivery date and ask for referrals
Who pays

Small builders, landscapers and bricklayers who want one reliable contact, and homeowners planning walls, patios or repairs.

How it makes money

You earn the margin between your supplier price and your selling price. You can add delivery charges and offer quoting for whole projects.

Skills that help
  • Reading plans and working out material quantities
  • Building supplier relationships and negotiating prices
  • Online selling and customer service
  • Organising deliveries and timing
Watch out for
  • Supplier dealer agreements, minimum order sizes and who is responsible for damaged or short deliveries
  • Commercial general liability insurance, and whether you need a home-based or general business licence from your municipality
  • GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules where they apply
  • Thin margins if you cannot match big-box prices, so focus on service and reliability
  • Seasonal demand, with quiet winters in many regions
  • Extra care if you deliver yourself, since vehicle licensing and weight rules vary by province

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

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Photo: DomPixabay on Pixabay

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