Start an online hose and fittings shop

Tradespeople, farms, small manufacturers, workshops, garden and pond owners, and caravan and boat owners.

You buy at trade prices and sell at a margin. Cut-to-length hose and bundled fitting kits usually earn more than single standard items.

• Knowing hose types, sizes and fittings
• Online selling and product listings
• Organised stock and order handling

• Customers ordering the wrong size or type, so make compatibility information clear and offer sensible returns
• Hoses for gas, fuel or chemicals may have specific safety or standards requirements, so check what you can sell and how to describe it
• Public liability and product liability insurance, as you are responsible for what you sell
• Consumer rules on distance selling and returns apply to private buyers, so check the current requirements
• Check whether storing stock at home is allowed by your landlord, lender or insurer

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website or marketplace set-up and your insurance. Having a wholesaler send orders direct may keep costs towards the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your range, your pricing and how well you reach trades, farms and workshops. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, so allow for stock and postage.

Check what you can sell and how to describe it, as hoses for gas, fuel or chemicals may have specific safety or standards requirements. Also check distance selling and returns rules, product liability insurance and where you store stock.