Bathroom showroom and trade counter
Open a small showroom that supplies local plumbers, builders and homeowners.
- $40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,410 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.0% in a year
NAICS 423720 “Plumbing and heating equipment and supplies (hydronics) merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small store with displays of faucets, tubs, toilets, vanities and tile accessories, plus a counter where plumbers and remodelers can pick up orders. You hold fast-moving stock and special-order the rest.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local plumbers and remodelers about what they buy, where they buy it and what frustrates them about current suppliers
- Open accounts with two or three distributors and manufacturers, and ask about dealer programs, display discounts and minimum orders
- Look at small retail or flex space near contractor traffic and get a quote for rent, insurance and a basic point-of-sale system
Who pays
Local plumbers, remodelers and builders on repeat accounts, plus homeowners planning a bathroom upgrade.
How it makes money
Margin on product sales, with trade accounts getting a discount on volume. You can earn extra from special orders and delivery fees.
Skills that help
- Knowledge of plumbing fittings and bathroom products
- Building relationships with contractors
- Inventory management and pricing
- Customer service
Watch out for
- Local business license, zoning for retail, and sales tax registration, check with your city, county and state
- Cash tied up in stock and slow-moving display items
- Large suppliers and big-box stores competing on price, so focus on service and trade accounts
- Lead-free and water efficiency standards for fixtures, which vary by state
- General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
- Lease terms, including length and personal guarantees
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: bathroom showroom and trade counter
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 open a bathroom showroom?
Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on premises, display stock and lease terms. Cash can get tied up in stock and slow-moving display items, so plan your first order carefully.
How much can a bathroom showroom earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on location, stock range and how many plumbers and remodelers hold repeat accounts with you. This is revenue, not profit.
What licenses and rules should I check before opening a bathroom showroom?
Check your local business license, zoning for retail and sales tax registration with your city, county and state. Also check lead-free and water efficiency standards for fixtures, which vary by state, and insurance such as general liability and property cover.
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Photo: mowbraycourthotel on Pixabay