Flooring subcontractor for builders and stores

Flooring stores, home builders, renovation companies and property managers.

Agreed per-square-foot rates for each job, paid by the contractor. Rates are often lower than direct homeowner prices, but you spend less time on marketing and quoting.

• Fast, clean and consistent installation
• Reliability and showing up on schedule
• Basic invoicing and paperwork

• Commercial general liability insurance, which many contractors will ask to see
• Check with your provincial workers' compensation board whether you need your own coverage as a subcontractor
• Late payment, so agree terms in writing and check how quickly you will be paid
• Relying on one or two clients can leave you short if work dries up
• Check how your work is classed for tax, and register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Winter slowdowns in new builds, so plan your cash flow

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your tools, vehicle and insurance. Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week, with flooring stores and builders booking the jobs for you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on how steady your work is from stores, builders and renovators. Relying on one or two clients can leave you short, and new-build work can slow in winter.

Check commercial general liability insurance, which many contractors ask to see, and whether your provincial workers' compensation board requires your own coverage. Also agree payment terms in writing, check how your work is classed for tax, and register for GST/HST past the small supplier threshold.