Aluminum frame supplier (order-to-order)

Glazing contractors, general contractors, remodelers and small fabricators who want one reliable local source and fast quotes.

You mark up the frames you resell, usually per order or per project. Repeat accounts with a few regular contractors are what keep revenue steady.

• Reading plans and product specs
• Sales and building contractor relationships
• Organized with quotes, orders and deliveries

• Check your state's rules on sales tax and resale certificates for resold goods
• General liability and product liability insurance, since a faulty frame can cause big claims
• Frames must meet local building codes, wind load and energy requirements, so check with your supplier and local building department
• Damaged or wrong-size deliveries, so agree return and freight terms in writing
• Metal prices can change between quote and order, so add a price validity date to quotes
• Check HOA, lease or home occupation rules if you store samples or stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your setup, samples and how you handle quoting and ordering. Metal prices can change between quote and order, so add a price validity date to quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your contractor relationships and how many quotes you win. That is revenue, not profit. Agree return and freight terms in writing to limit costly mistakes.

Check your state's rules on sales tax and resale certificates. Also check that frames meet local building codes, wind load and energy requirements with your supplier and local building department, and consider general and product liability insurance.