Trade supplier of water treatment kit and chemicals

Plumbers and heating engineers, farms, care homes, car washes, food producers and other small commercial sites.

Margin on goods sold, with regular repeat orders of consumables and chemicals, plus delivery charges and some product advice or servicing.

• Building trade relationships
• Stock control and ordering
• Understanding products well enough to advise

• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance
• Storing and selling chemicals has rules on labelling, safe storage and transport, check COSHH and HSE guidance and what your insurer requires
• Some treatment products are biocides and may be subject to specific regulations, check before selling
• Cash tied up in stock and slow-paying trade customers
• Check unit lease terms and whether your use needs planning permission or a particular use class

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the stock you hold and your unit. Cash tied up in stock is a key factor, so treat these as estimates and check real quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your trade customers and stock range. Slow-paying trade customers can affect cash flow, so these remain estimates.

Check COSHH and HSE guidance on labelling, safe storage and transport of chemicals, and what your insurer requires. Also check whether any treatment products are biocides subject to specific regulations, and your unit's lease terms and planning use class.