Home-Based carpet trade supplier (no stock)

Independent flooring shops, self-employed carpet fitters, small builders and landlords' contractors who buy for customer jobs.

You buy at trade price and sell at a margin on each roll or order. Repeat accounts with fitters and shops, plus sales of underlay and fitting accessories, build steady turnover.

• Sales and building trade relationships
• Good product knowledge of carpet types and underlay
• Organised with orders, pricing and deliveries
• Comfortable agreeing prices and credit terms

• Customer credit risk: check whether to take payment upfront or use credit checks or trade credit insurance
• Damaged or wrong-length rolls in transit: agree clearly with suppliers who is responsible
• Check that your product descriptions and labelling meet UK consumer and trading standards rules
• Insurance such as public liability and goods in transit, and employer's liability if you hire
• Running a business from home may need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council
• Register as a sole trader or limited company, and check when VAT registration becomes compulsory

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on samples, software, insurance and how you set up supplier accounts. Because orders are bought in as placed, you hold little or no stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many fitters and shops you supply, order sizes and your hours. The estimate starts from about 15 hours a week.

Check customer credit risk, such as upfront payment, credit checks or trade credit insurance. Agree with suppliers who is responsible for damaged rolls. Check product descriptions meet UK trading standards rules, insurance needs, home-working permission, and when VAT registration becomes compulsory.