Home-based trade furniture supplier

Cafes, pubs, small hotels, holiday let owners, independent retailers and interior designers who want trade pricing and a single contact.

You buy at manufacturer or trade prices and sell at a margin on each order. Larger fit-out orders for venues bring bigger single payments.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Sales and quoting
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Knowing what suits commercial use

• Upholstered furniture sold in the UK has to meet fire safety rules, so check the supplier's evidence and what applies to you as the seller
• Check who is responsible for damaged or late deliveries, and agree it in writing with suppliers
• Public liability and product liability insurance, ask a broker what cover you need
• Cash flow: you may need to pay suppliers before the customer pays you, so consider deposits
• Check when you must register for VAT as your turnover grows
• Running a business from home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how you build your range, create samples or catalogues and set up quoting and insurance. These are estimates. Without holding stock, you avoid warehouse costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the size and number of orders and your pricing. This is revenue rather than profit, and you may need to pay suppliers before customers pay you. These figures are estimates.

Upholstered furniture sold in the UK has to meet fire safety rules, so check the supplier's evidence and what applies to you as the seller. Also check who is responsible for damaged or late deliveries, insurance, when to register for VAT, and permission from a landlord or mortgage lender.