Local shop fittings supply and fit
Supply and install shelving and displays for shops in your area, from a small unit with a van.
- £4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A local business that advises on layout, supplies shop fittings and installs them. You might hold a small range of popular items in a unit and order specials from suppliers.
Your first three steps
- Open trade accounts with a few UK fixture manufacturers and ask about their terms for small resellers
- Visit local shops and shopping parades to see who might be refitting, and offer a free measure and quote
- Sort a van, tools and a small storage unit, then put together a simple catalogue and price list
Who pays
Independent shops, new openings, cafes, pharmacies, convenience stores and small chains refreshing their premises.
How it makes money
Margin on the fittings you sell, plus a fee for design advice, delivery and installation. Repeat work comes from shop refits and new openings.
Skills that help
- Practical, with basic tools and assembly
- Measuring and simple space planning
- Quoting and building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check what cover you need for installation work and for goods in transit
- Check rules on lifting, working at height and safe installation of heavy units
- Fittings that are fixed to walls or floors may need landlord permission, so ask clients to check
- Unit rent and van costs are fixed, so build up orders before taking on a long lease
- Check what a vehicle and goods-in-transit policy would cost
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: local shop fittings supply and fit
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a shop fittings business?
Startup costs are typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the unit, van, tools and any starter stock. These are estimates, so build up orders before taking on a long lease.
How much can a shop fittings supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many shops you win as clients, job size and your pricing. These are estimates, and fixed unit rent and van costs come out of that.
What should I check before installing shop fittings?
Check what public liability cover you need for installation work and goods in transit, plus rules on lifting, working at height and safe installation of heavy units. Fittings fixed to walls or floors may need landlord permission.
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