Online lino and vinyl, cut to size

Homeowners doing a kitchen or bathroom refresh, landlords and small trade customers who want delivery to their door.

You sell per metre or per cut piece at a markup over wholesale prices, plus delivery charges and add-ons like adhesive and trims.

• Online selling and basic product listings
• Careful, accurate order handling
• Customer service by email and phone

• Distance selling rules: cut-to-size goods are often treated differently on returns, but check the current consumer rules and write clear terms
• Damage in transit and wrong measurements, so agree who pays and keep records
• Public liability and product liability insurance, so check what your insurer needs
• Colour on screens can differ from the real floor, so send samples and say so
• Selling online counts towards your turnover for VAT, so keep an eye on the registration threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your website or marketplace setup, samples and how much stock or storage you arrange. Many sellers start small and supply rolls through a wholesaler.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how many orders you win and how well your listings and samples convert. It is revenue rather than profit, and you can start from about 10 hours a week.

Check the current distance selling rules, since cut-to-size goods are often treated differently on returns, and write clear terms. Check what insurance you need, including public liability and product liability, and watch your turnover against the VAT registration threshold.