Open a fireplace and stove showroom

Homeowners updating a living room, people renovating or extending, and local builders and interior designers who want one supplier.

Margin on appliances, surrounds, flues and accessories, plus installation charges. Repeat income from chimney liners, fuel, spare parts and servicing referrals.

• Friendly, knowledgeable sales advice
• Basic product and heating knowledge
• Quoting and organising jobs
• Managing stock and suppliers

• Solid fuel installs normally need to meet Building Regulations; check whether installers should be HETAS registered or use building control
• Gas fires must be fitted by someone on the Gas Safe Register, so check this for any gas work you offer
• Smoke control areas and Ecodesign rules can limit which stoves and fuels may be used, so check what you can sell and advise
• Public liability, product liability and employer's liability (once you hire) insurance
• Display stock and lease costs are paid up front, and sales can be slow in summer

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the shop lease, display stock and how many working displays you set up. These are estimates, and display stock and lease costs are paid up front.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on the products you sell, installation work and your customer mix of homeowners and builders. These are estimates, and sales can be slow in summer.

Check whether solid fuel installs need to meet Building Regulations and whether installers should be HETAS registered. Gas work needs the Gas Safe Register. Also check smoke control areas, Ecodesign rules and your insurance, including public and product liability.