Start a soil yard with screening and topsoil delivery

Landscapers, groundworkers, house builders, garden centres and homeowners.

You sell screened soil by the tonne or load at more than raw soil costs, and add delivery charges. Blending products for different uses can increase margins.

• Operating a loader and screener safely
• Spotting good and poor quality soil
• Pricing, stock control and trade selling

• Planning permission and the yard's permitted use, plus possible neighbour complaints about noise and dust
• Environmental permits or exemptions if you handle soil from construction sites, check before you take in any material
• Health and safety, plant operator training and insurance for machinery and staff, including employer's liability once you hire
• Heavy vehicles may need an operator's licence, check with the DVSA
• Large upfront costs and demand that varies with the weather and building activity

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £30,000 to £120,000, depending on your yard, machinery and stock. Monthly revenue is estimated at around £10,000 to £50,000, but demand varies with the weather and building activity, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Check planning permission and the yard's permitted use, plus possible neighbour complaints about noise and dust. Also check environmental permits or exemptions before taking in construction soil, operator training, insurance, and whether heavy vehicles need an operator's licence from the DVSA.

You need to operate a loader and screener safely, spot good and poor quality soil, and handle pricing, stock control and trade selling. The estimates assume at least around 40 hours a week, so it suits someone ready for full-time work.