Furniture fittings supplier for trade buyers
Stock hardware, fittings and soft accessories from a small unit and supply makers, fitters and designers.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A small trade-focused supplier holding stock of furniture hardware, fittings and accessories such as hinges, handles, feet and cushion inners. You sell by phone, email, an online trade account and collection from your unit.
Your first three steps
- Speak to local fitters, makers and designers about what they struggle to get quickly
- Open trade accounts with a few wholesalers and agree minimum orders and delivery terms
- Rent a small unit or storage space and send a simple price list to your first trade contacts
Who pays
Kitchen and furniture fitters, upholsterers, small furniture makers, interior designers and landlords or hospitality businesses refreshing furnishings.
How it makes money
You buy in bulk at wholesale prices and sell at a mark-up, with repeat trade customers giving steadier orders than one-off shoppers.
Skills that help
- Building relationships with trade customers
- Stock control and ordering
- Product knowledge of fittings and materials
Watch out for
- Cash tied up in stock, start with fast-moving lines
- Business rates, lease terms and whether the unit's planning use allows trade sales, check with the landlord and council
- Product safety and labelling rules for items you import or resell, check with Trading Standards
- Offering credit to trade customers brings late payment risk
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: furniture fittings supplier for trade buyers
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a furniture fittings supplier?
Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the unit you rent and how much stock you hold. These are estimates, so consider starting with fast-moving lines to limit cash tied up.
How much can a trade fittings supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your range, how many trade accounts you win and your opening hours. These are estimates, and the low end assumes around 30 hours a week.
What should I check before supplying trade customers?
Check business rates, lease terms and whether the unit's planning use allows trade sales with your landlord and council. Also check product safety and labelling rules with Trading Standards, and the late payment risk if you offer credit.
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