Local bark and soil yard

Local landscapers, groundworkers, gardeners, councils, schools and homeowners who want to collect or have a load delivered.

You sell by the bag, bucket or tonne at a margin over your buying price, add delivery fees, and build trade accounts with regular customers.

• Operating a loading shovel or telehandler safely
• Pricing and stock control
• Managing trade accounts
• Customer service

• Planning permission and permitted use for the site, check with your council
• Storing or processing waste-derived materials may need an environmental permit or exemption, check with the Environment Agency (or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Large mulch piles can overheat and catch fire, so plan stock layout and storage carefully
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance if you hire help, plus safe loading and machinery training
• Surface water runoff, dust and noise affecting neighbours
• Heavy seasonal demand, so cash flow can be uneven

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your site, stock and machinery. These are estimates, so get quotes for land, loading equipment and insurance before you commit to a yard.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your stock, customers and delivery work. Demand is heavily seasonal, so cash flow can be uneven and is worth planning for.

Check planning permission and permitted use for the site with your council, and whether storing waste-derived materials needs an environmental permit or exemption. Also check fire risk from large piles, insurance, machinery training, and runoff, dust and noise.