Start a flooring showroom and trade counter

Local floor fitters and builders who want same-day collection, and homeowners who prefer to see and touch the floor before buying.

Margin on flooring and accessories, with trade customers giving repeat orders and homeowners giving higher-margin sales and advice.

• Product knowledge and advice
• Stock control and ordering
• Building trade relationships
• Handling heavy packs safely

• Lease terms, deposits and business rates, check these carefully before signing
• Planning use class for the unit, check with the council
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance, and employer's liability once you hire
• Cash tied up in stock that sells slowly, start with a small range
• Timber legality and product labelling rules, check what applies to what you sell
• Manual handling risks with heavy packs, plan for safe lifting kit

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, stock and fit-out. Check lease terms, deposits and business rates carefully, and consider starting with a small range to avoid tying up cash.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your location, range and how well you build relationships with local fitters and builders. Slow-selling stock can tie up cash.

Check the planning use class for the unit with the council, and check lease terms, deposits and business rates. Also check insurance, including employer's liability once you hire, timber legality and product labelling rules, and plan safe lifting kit for heavy packs.