Local car alarm trade counter with van deliveries

Local garages, auto electricians, vehicle conversion firms, car dealers and mobile fitters who need parts quickly.

Margin on units and accessories sold to trade accounts, with higher volume from regular customers and some fitting-related add-ons such as wiring, sensors and remotes. Revenue builds slowly as trade accounts are won, so early months are likely to be at the lower end of the range.

• Product knowledge of vehicle security systems
• Stock control and purchasing
• Building relationships with trade customers

• Stock can tie up cash and become outdated as vehicle technology changes
• Check product compliance and insurer-approval requirements for the units you sell
• Check WEEE and battery registration rules for sellers of electrical goods
• Business rates, unit lease terms and planning use for trade premises
• Motor trade or goods-in-transit insurance for the van and stock

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the size of your unit, how much stock you carry and the van you use. These are estimates, so build your own budget from real quotes for stock, lease and insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on your stock range, how many garages and installers you win and how quickly you deliver. That is revenue rather than profit, so stock and premises costs come out of it.

Check product compliance and insurer-approval requirements for the units you sell, WEEE and battery registration rules for electrical goods, business rates, lease terms and planning use for your unit, and motor trade or goods-in-transit insurance for the van and stock.