Online natural stone sourcing service

Landscapers, builders, stonemasons, interior designers and homeowners planning patios, floors or worktops.

You buy at trade price and sell at a mark-up, usually per square metre or per slab, with delivery charged on top.

• Knowing stone types and finishes, or willingness to learn
• Quoting and measuring up from plans
• Building trade relationships with suppliers and installers

• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus goods in transit cover if you arrange delivery
• Check with your supplier who is responsible for damaged or wrong stone, and put this in your terms
• Natural stone varies in colour between batches, so check samples and batch matching before ordering
• Check whether any imported products you sell need particular construction product markings
• Consumer rights rules for online sales to homeowners, including returns on made-to-order items

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your samples, catalogue, website and insurance. Because you hold little or no stock and work from home, you avoid yard or warehouse costs.

Check public liability, product liability and goods in transit insurance. Agree with suppliers who is responsible for damaged or wrong stone and put it in your terms. Check batch matching, any construction product markings for imports, and consumer rights on returns for made-to-order items.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the size and number of orders and the trade customers you win. The idea assumes at least around 10 hours a week.