Online tile shop with sample service

Homeowners doing bathroom or kitchen updates, small contractors, and people in areas with few tile shops.

Mark-up on tile and accessories, small fees for sample kits, and shipping or delivery charges built into pricing.

• Online selling and basic website management
• Product knowledge and customer advice by email or phone
• Order tracking and supplier coordination

• Damaged and mismatched boxes in transit; check carrier insurance and batch matching
• Returns and freight costs on heavy products, so set clear policies
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
• Collect and remit GST/HST, PST or QST as required, and check a municipal licence if you work from home
• Quebec has French-language requirements for websites and sales material if you sell there
• Make sure tile ratings suit the intended use, including frost resistance for outdoor installs

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your website, sample kits, how much stock you hold and your storage setup. Shipping direct from suppliers helps keep the stock you carry low.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your range, pricing, marketing and how many orders you win. These are estimates, not guarantees, and costs like freight and returns come out of that.

Check carrier insurance and batch matching for damaged boxes, clear return and freight policies, and commercial general liability and product liability insurance. Also check GST/HST, PST or QST, any municipal home licence, Quebec French-language rules, and tile ratings such as frost resistance.