Online hot water systems trade supplier

Self-employed plumbers, heating engineers, small installers and some landlords or builders who want quick, fairly priced delivery.

You buy at trade price and sell at a margin. Extra income can come from delivery charges and from regular accounts with local installers.

• Product knowledge of hot water systems
• Sales and building trade relationships
• Careful order handling and admin
• Good customer service

• Check product safety marking, water-contact approvals and energy labelling rules for items you sell
• Check whether any electrical product take-back (WEEE) or packaging rules apply to you
• Public liability and product liability insurance, so check cover for goods you supply
• Returns and damaged deliveries on bulky items like cylinders, agree who pays with your suppliers
• Thin margins against large merchants, so check your prices carefully before you list

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on your website, supplier arrangements and marketing. Because suppliers deliver direct, you hold little or no stock, which is why the estimate is lower than for a shop.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many installers you win and your product range. Margins can be thin against large merchants, so check your prices carefully before you list products.

Check product safety marking, water-contact approvals and energy labelling rules for items you sell. Also check whether electrical take-back (WEEE) or packaging rules apply to you, and whether your public and product liability insurance covers the goods you supply.