Online metal shop for makers and small workshops

Makers, hobbyists, model engineers, small fabricators, garden and furniture makers, and tradespeople who only need a few lengths.

You sell at a margin over your bulk buying price, with extra charges for cutting, delivery and small-order handling. Repeat customers and bundles of popular sizes help.

• Knowing the main metals, grades and sizes
• Organising stock and orders
• Packing heavy or awkward items safely
• Basic online selling

• Stock ties up cash, so start with fast-selling lines
• Heavy and long items, check courier size and weight limits and damage claims
• If you buy or sell scrap metal or offcuts, check whether you need a scrap metal dealer licence from your council
• Public liability, product liability and stock or goods-in-transit insurance
• Check whether your home, landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock and regular deliveries
• Manual handling risks when moving heavy metal

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the range of stock you buy and how you set up your website and storage. Stock ties up cash, so starting with fast-selling lines may help.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many orders you ship. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week, and revenue is not profit.

Check courier size and weight limits and damage claims for long, heavy items, and whether you need a scrap metal dealer licence if you handle scrap or offcuts. Also check insurance, manual handling risks, and whether your home allows stock storage.