Bulk landscaping materials delivery

Homeowners, small landscapers and builders who want materials dropped on site without collecting them.

You add a margin to the material price and charge for delivery. Regular builders and landscapers can bring repeat orders.

• Driving a van or tipper, and licence requirements for the vehicle you choose
• Planning routes and delivery slots
• Pricing and quoting
• Building trade relationships

• Driving licence category and vehicle weight limits, check what your licence allows
• Larger lorries may need a vocational licence, and operating heavier goods vehicles for hire and reward may need an operator licence from the Traffic Commissioner, so check before buying
• Waste carrier registration if you carry any waste or take away spoil, check with the Environment Agency or your national equivalent
• Goods in transit, hire and reward insurance, plus public liability
• Safe loading, secure loads and drivers' hours rules where they apply
• Fuel, vehicle running costs and fluctuating material prices squeezing margins

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending mainly on the vehicle you choose, such as a pickup with trailer, tipper or grab lorry. There is no shop or yard needed. These figures are estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how many orders you deliver and the materials you sell. Fuel, running costs and changing material prices can squeeze margins.

Check which vehicles your driving licence category allows and the weight limits. Larger lorries may need a vocational licence or an operator licence. Also check waste carrier registration, hire and reward insurance, safe loading and drivers' hours rules.