Home-Based appliance trade supplier
Supply washing machines, ovens and fridges to local installers and landlords at trade prices, with stock sent straight from suppliers.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,448 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46439 “Wholesale of radio, television goods & electrical household appliances (other than records, tapes, CD's & video tapes and the equipment used for playing them)”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You open trade accounts with appliance distributors and sell to small businesses at a margin. Orders are delivered direct from the supplier or a nearby depot, so you hold little or no stock yourself.
Your first three steps
- Apply for trade accounts with a few distributors and compare prices, delivery terms and returns policies
- Make a simple trade price list and online catalogue for a handful of popular models
- Visit local kitchen fitters, letting agents and landlord groups to offer a first order at a competitive price
Who pays
Kitchen fitters, builders, landlords, letting agents, small independent retailers and property developers.
How it makes money
You buy at trade price and sell at a markup per order. Repeat bulk orders from landlords and fitters are the main earner.
Skills that help
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Product knowledge of kitchen and laundry appliances
- Chasing orders and invoices
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Check your obligations for electrical waste (WEEE) when supplying appliances, and who handles take-back
- Agree who deals with faulty or damaged deliveries and warranty claims before you sell
- Cash flow: you may pay suppliers before customers pay you, so check payment terms
- Check whether you can run the business from home with your landlord, lender or council
- VAT registration becomes compulsory above the threshold, and trade turnover can reach it quickly
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home-based appliance trade supplier
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 an appliance trade supply business?
Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your website or price lists, any supplier account fees and insurance. These are estimates, and orders delivered direct from suppliers mean you hold little or no stock.
How much can an appliance trade supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many trade customers you win and the order sizes. You may pay suppliers before customers pay you, so check payment terms and cash flow.
What rules should I check before supplying appliances?
Check your WEEE obligations for electrical waste and who handles take-back. Agree who deals with faulty or damaged deliveries and warranty claims, check whether you can run the business from home, and note when VAT registration becomes compulsory.
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