Online made-to-order sofa store

Households across your province or region who prefer to shop from home, including people in smaller towns with limited furniture choice.

Margin between the supplier price and your retail price, plus delivery fees and optional extras like fabric protection.

• Online selling and customer service
• Basic website and photo skills
• Managing suppliers and delivery partners

• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, check what your supplier covers
• Consumer protection rules on deposits, delivery dates and cancellations on made-to-order goods, check your province
• Provincial rules on upholstered furniture labelling and product safety, check with your supplier
• Quebec has French-language requirements for websites and labels
• Damaged deliveries and long lead times can lead to disputes, agree responsibilities in writing
• If you import, check duties and tariffs, and sales tax registration (GST/HST and provincial taxes)

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, swatches, photos and any sample space. These are estimates, so confirm supplier terms and delivery arrangements before you launch.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your range, marketing and suppliers, from about 15 hours a week. Revenue is not profit, so allow for supplier, delivery and swatch costs.

Check consumer protection rules on deposits, delivery dates and cancellations for made-to-order goods in your province. Also check insurance, upholstered furniture labelling, Quebec French-language rules, and duties, tariffs and sales tax registration if you import.