Stone supplier selling direct from quarries
Take orders for natural stone and have it delivered from the quarry or distributor, without renting a yard.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You sell natural stone slabs and landscaping stone from a catalogue, samples and photos. Stone is ordered when a customer buys and shipped straight from the supplier, or stored briefly at a partner yard.
Your first three steps
- Contact several quarries and distributors to ask about trade pricing, minimum orders and freight
- Put together a sample set and a simple website or price list with photos
- Show samples to local masons and landscapers and offer to quote their next job
Who pays
Small builders, masons, landscapers, renovators and homeowners who want a wider choice than a local yard offers.
How it makes money
You earn the difference between the supplier's price and your selling price, plus a delivery charge. Deposits help cover the cost of orders.
Skills that help
- Building supplier relationships
- Quoting and measuring jobs
- Organising freight and deliveries
- Clear customer communication
Watch out for
- Natural stone varies in colour and quality, so agree clear terms on damage and returns with suppliers
- Freight can be a big cost and heavy loads can break, so check carrier insurance
- Commercial general liability insurance and a clear refund policy
- Working from home may need a home-based business licence. Check with your municipality
- Charging GST/HST or provincial sales tax. Check your registration requirements
- Take deposits so you are not left with a special order if a customer cancels
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: stone supplier selling direct from quarries
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a natural stone supply business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your catalogue and samples, any partner yard arrangements and your insurance. Ordering stone only when customers buy keeps upfront stock low.
How much can a direct-order stone supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your supplier range, order sizes and how many builders and homeowners you win. Freight can be a big cost, so allow for it in quotes.
What should I check before selling natural stone in Canada?
Agree clear damage and return terms with suppliers, since stone varies in colour and quality, and check carrier insurance for freight. Also check commercial general liability insurance, any home-based business licence, GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration, and take deposits on special orders.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Marble and stone installer
Install marble and natural stone floors, backsplashes and shower walls for homeowners, renovators and builders.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local air filter supply for garages and buildings
Deliver replacement filters to garages, fleets and building managers on a regular schedule.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online fire alarm equipment reseller
Sell listed fire alarm panels, detectors and sounders to installers and facility managers from home, shipped direct from suppliers.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Order-based water heater supplier
Sell water heaters to local plumbers and heating contractors, ordered from suppliers and delivered to site, without a big stockroom.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Ice cream machine repair and servicing
Fix, clean and maintain soft-serve and gelato machines for cafes and ice cream shops on call-outs and contracts.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Office refresh: painting, flooring and light repairs
Give tired small offices a fresh look with paint, flooring and minor repairs, often done evenings or weekends.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about