Start a building materials sales agent business

Small builders, groundworkers, landscapers and homeowners doing larger projects. The supplier usually pays you a commission or you add a margin.

Commission or a mark-up on each order. Repeat orders from a handful of regular builders make the income steadier.

• Selling and building relationships
• Knowing basic building materials
• Good admin and order tracking

• Agree commission and payment terms with the supplier in writing
• Check who is responsible if goods arrive damaged or late
• Check whether you need public liability or professional indemnity insurance
• Check whether the products you sell carry the right UK product marking
• Builders can be slow to pay, so check payment terms before you take orders

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on your phone, software, insurance and marketing. These are estimates. Because you never hold stock yourself, check which costs and insurance actually apply to you.

Monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on the commission or margin you agree and how many orders you win. These are estimates. Builders can be slow to pay, so check payment terms.

Agree commission and payment terms with the supplier in writing, and check who is responsible for damaged or late goods. Also check whether you need public liability or professional indemnity insurance and whether products carry the right UK product marking.