Retaining wall block reseller (no yard needed)

Small landscaping crews, deck and patio builders, and homeowners planning a wall project.

You earn the margin between your trade price and the price you quote. Extra income comes from delivery fees and add-on materials such as drainage pipe and construction adhesive.

• Quoting and measuring materials from a plan
• Customer service and follow-up
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Basic understanding of how segmental walls are built

• Dealer agreements may set minimum orders, territories or credit terms, so read them carefully
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether product liability is covered
• Check with your municipality whether you need a home-based business licence
• Register for GST/HST (and provincial sales tax where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Damaged or wrong deliveries, so agree who handles returns and claims
• Winter slows or stops building work in many areas, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your dealer agreement, insurance, website and any sample products. Because pallets ship from a manufacturer or partner yard, you avoid the cost of holding your own stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your territory, how many landscapers and homeowners you serve and the season. The estimate assumes at least about 12 hours a week.

Read dealer agreements carefully for minimum orders, territories or credit terms. Check liability insurance, including product liability, any home-based business licence, GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration, who handles damaged deliveries, and how winter affects your cash flow.