Local copper trade supplier from a small unit

Plumbers, roofers, heating engineers, electricians, fabricators, small manufacturers and workshops in your area.

Margin on stock sold, with extra income from cutting services, delivery and regular trade accounts.

• Knowledge of copper grades, sizes and uses
• Building trade relationships and managing accounts
• Stock control and safe handling of heavy materials

• Stock ties up cash and copper prices can swing, so work out how much stock you can afford to hold
• Copper is attractive to thieves, so check security, alarm and stock insurance requirements
• If you buy scrap or used copper from the public, check whether you need a scrap metal dealer licence and what record-keeping applies in your area
• Public liability, employer's liability if you hire, and goods-in-transit cover for deliveries
• Check business rates, planning use class and lease terms for the unit with your council
• Offering credit to trade customers carries bad-debt risk, so check accounts before extending terms

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £12,000 to £60,000, depending on your unit and how much stock you hold. Stock ties up cash and copper prices can swing, so work out what you can afford to hold.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your stock, customer base and delivery area. Offering credit to trade customers carries bad-debt risk, so check accounts before extending terms.

If you buy scrap or used copper from the public, check whether you need a scrap metal dealer licence and what record-keeping applies. Also check security and insurance requirements, business rates, planning use class and your lease terms.