Home-Based window dealer for builders and renovators

Small builders, renovation contractors, glaziers and homeowners replacing or adding windows.

You earn a margin between the manufacturer's trade price and your selling price. Extras like fittings, hardware and measuring services add to each order.

• Reading plans and measuring openings accurately
• Quoting and sales follow-up
• Knowing window types, glazing and energy ratings
• Keeping orders and deliveries organized

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether your supplier's warranty covers dealers
• Measuring mistakes can mean costly custom windows that cannot be returned, so check the supplier's remake policy
• Check provincial and municipal building code and energy efficiency requirements, which vary by region
• Check whether a home-based business licence or zoning permit is needed from your municipality
• Collect deposits on custom orders and watch payment terms with contractors
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for contracts, quotes and signage

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your measuring tools, samples, insurance and software. You hold little or no stock, so you avoid warehouse costs, but your own setup will move the figure.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many builders, renovators and homeowners you win and the size of each order. A minimum of about 15 hours a week is estimated.

Check provincial and municipal building code and energy efficiency requirements, whether a home-based business licence or zoning permit is needed, and your supplier's warranty and remake policy for measuring mistakes. In Quebec, check French-language requirements for contracts, quotes and signage.