Water treatment shop with service contracts

Homeowners, rural households on wells, restaurants, car washes, small hotels and property managers who need ongoing servicing.

Equipment and installation sales, service contracts, salt and filter sales over the counter or by delivery, and repair callouts.

• Water treatment know-how
• Managing stock and suppliers
• Sales and customer service
• Scheduling technicians

• Plumbing and installation licensing differs by province, so check who must do the work and whether permits apply
• Commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance, plus coverage for stock and premises
• WCB or WSIB registration once you hire technicians (check your province's rules)
• Lease terms, municipal zoning and signage rules for retail or light-industrial units
• Dealer agreements may limit territory or pricing, so read them carefully
• Registration for GST/HST, and PST or QST where it applies, once you pass the threshold or if you choose to register earlier
• Cash tied up in stock, and slower sales in some seasons

Estimates typically run around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your premises and lease, the stock of softeners, filters and salt you carry, service vans and how many technicians you start with.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on system sales, service contracts and salt sales. Sales can be slower in some seasons, and stock ties up cash.

Check plumbing and installation licensing in your province, and whether permits apply. Also check WCB or WSIB registration once you hire technicians, lease terms, zoning and signage rules, dealer agreement limits, and GST/HST registration.