Online fastener and fixings shop

Small builders, joiners, fabricators, maintenance teams and keen DIYers who want the right fixing delivered without a trip to a trade counter.

You sell at a margin above your wholesale price. Bulk boxes and trade accounts bring repeat orders, and you can add delivery charges for heavy parcels.

• Knowing fixings, thread types and materials
• Careful stock and order handling
• Basic online selling and listings
• Customer service

• Stock ties up cash, so start small and check minimum order quantities with suppliers
• Wrong grade or size of fixing can cause problems, so check product standards and ask suppliers for certificates where relevant
• Product liability and public liability insurance, so check what cover you need
• Storing stock at home may need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, so check first
• Heavy parcels cost a lot to send, so work out postage before setting prices
• VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the range you stock, your website and packaging. These are estimates, so start small and check minimum order quantities with suppliers.

Monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many trade and DIY customers you reach. These are estimates only, and heavy postage costs should be worked out before setting prices.

Check product standards and ask suppliers for certificates where relevant, as the wrong grade or size can cause problems. Also check product and public liability insurance, permission to store stock at home, and VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold.