Start an online plasterboard supply business

Small builders, plasterers, self-builders and homeowners who want delivery to site without visiting a merchant.

You earn the gap between your trade price and your selling price, plus any delivery charge you add.

• Clear communication with customers
• Basic website and order handling
• Knowing board types and quantities

• Margins can be thin, so check your costs including delivery before you set prices
• Reliance on one supplier, as late or damaged deliveries reflect on you
• Agree who handles damaged or wrong orders and returns of heavy boards
• Public liability and product-related insurance, check cover with a broker
• Consumer rules on distance selling and returns apply when selling to the public, check the requirements
• Running from home may need permission from a landlord, lender or council, particularly if stock is stored there

Estimates typically run around £2,000 to £12,000, depending on how you set up your website, ordering and supplier arrangements. With little or no stock of your own, check your costs including delivery before you set prices.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on order volume and your suppliers. Margins can be thin, so check your costs including delivery before setting prices. Estimated time is at least 15 hours a week.

Check consumer rules on distance selling and returns if you sell to the public, and agree who handles damaged or wrong orders. Also check insurance cover with a broker, and whether a landlord, lender or council must agree if you run from home or store stock there.