Home-Based vinyl window and door dealer

Renovation contractors, small builders, window installers and homeowners planning a replacement project.

You buy at a trade price and sell with a markup, with a deposit upfront and the balance on delivery. Measuring, delivery and removal of old units can be added as separate line items.

• Reading measurements and building plans
• Quoting and negotiating
• Organised order and delivery tracking
• Building relationships with contractors

• Check that products meet the Canadian standard (CSA A440) and the energy-efficiency requirements for your province and climate zone
• Custom-made windows usually cannot be returned, so a measuring mistake can be costly. Agree who is responsible for measurements in writing
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check provincial rules on warranties and home renovation contracts
• Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration once your sales pass the threshold
• Long manufacturer lead times and delivery delays, especially in the spring and summer rush

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000 CAD, depending on your setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many projects you win from contractors and homeowners.

Check that products meet the Canadian standard (CSA A440) and the energy-efficiency requirements for your province and climate zone. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and look into liability insurance, provincial warranty and renovation contract rules, and GST/HST registration.

The estimate is at least about 15 hours a week. Expect long manufacturer lead times and delivery delays, especially in the spring and summer rush. Custom windows usually cannot be returned, so allow time to check measurements and orders carefully.