Online trade insulation supplier

Electricians, heating engineers, small building firms, maintenance teams and keen DIY installers.

You buy at trade prices and sell at a margin, with extra income from bundles, repeat orders and delivery charges.

• Understanding which products suit which jobs
• Customer service and quick replies
• Basic website and order management
• Building supplier relationships

• Check that products meet the relevant UK safety and fire performance standards and carry the right marking (UKCA or CE, as applicable)
• Be careful with product claims; only repeat what the manufacturer's data sheets support
• Consider product liability and public liability insurance
• Check the consumer rules on returns and distance selling if you sell to private buyers
• Delivery times depend on your suppliers, so check their reliability before promising dates
• Check whether you need VAT registration as sales grow

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on your website, supplier setup and any stock you choose to hold. The model involves holding little or no stock and ordering from wholesalers as orders arrive.

Check that products meet the relevant UK safety and fire performance standards and carry the right marking (UKCA or CE, as applicable). Only repeat product claims the manufacturer's data sheets support, and consider product liability and public liability insurance.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your product range, customers and supplier reliability. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for product costs and other expenses. Time needed starts at around 8 hours a week.