Local tile showroom and shop

Homeowners on bathroom and kitchen projects, local builders, tilers, interior designers and landlords.

You buy tiles at trade prices and sell at a markup. Extra sales come from adhesive, grout, trims and tools, and from trade accounts with regular tilers and builders.

• Customer service and friendly advice
• Basic maths for measuring and quoting
• Building relationships with local trades
• Managing stock and suppliers

• Lease terms, business rates and any reliefs you might qualify for, so check with the local council
• Public liability insurance, plus stock and contents cover; employer's liability once you hire
• Tying up cash in stock, especially slow-selling lines and large pallet orders
• Batch and shade differences between deliveries, so advise customers to order enough in one go
• Safe handling of heavy boxes and pallets, and any planning use class for your premises

Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £80,000, depending on the premises, lease terms, showroom fit-out and how much stock you hold. These are estimates, so get quotes before committing to a unit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on location, range, stock levels and your trade relationships. Treat this as an estimate of sales rather than profit, as stock, rent and running costs come out of it.

Check lease terms, business rates and any reliefs with your local council, plus the planning use class for your premises. Also check public liability, stock and contents insurance, employer's liability once you hire, and safe handling of heavy pallets.