Appliance trade supplier for builders and landlords

Remodelers, small home builders, property management companies, landlords and installers who buy several units at a time.

You mark up the distributor's trade price on each order. Repeat project and multi-unit orders bring steady volume.

• Sales and relationship building
• Quoting and spreadsheets
• Following up on orders and deliveries
• Knowing appliance brands and models

• Some brands only authorize established dealers, so check each manufacturer's requirements
• Check your state's sales tax and resale certificate rules, plus any exemption paperwork for contractors
• Check your city or county for a business license and home occupation rules, and HOA or lease limits
• General liability insurance, and clear terms on who handles delivery damage, returns and warranty claims
• Thin margins and slow-paying commercial buyers, so consider deposits on large orders
• Dependence on distributors for stock availability and delivery dates

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your setup and trade accounts. Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on order sizes and how many builders and property managers you serve.

Some brands only authorize established dealers, so check each manufacturer's requirements. Also check your state's sales tax and resale certificate rules, city or county license and home occupation rules, HOA or lease limits, and terms for delivery damage, returns and warranty claims.

Sales and relationship building, quoting and spreadsheets, following up on orders, and knowing appliance brands and models all help. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week. Expect thin margins and slow-paying buyers, so consider deposits on large orders.