Block, paver and slab yard with delivery

Masonry and landscaping contractors, general builders and homeowners doing patios, walls and driveways.

You buy from manufacturers in bulk and sell at a markup per piece or pallet. You add delivery fees and sell extras like sand, base gravel and sealer.

• Knowing building products and quantities
• Customer service and quoting
• Safe forklift and truck handling
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking

• Zoning, local business license and any stormwater or site rules for outdoor storage, check with your city or county
• General liability and commercial auto insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Whether your truck weight needs a commercial driver's license, check with your state DMV
• Heavy pallets and forklifts carry injury risk, so look at OSHA training requirements
• Cash tied up in stock and weather slowing building work

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on yard size, stock levels and your delivery truck and equipment. Cash tied up in stock is a key thing to plan for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, range and customer base. That is revenue, not profit. Weather can slow building work, so plan for uneven months.

Check zoning, a local business license and any stormwater or site rules for outdoor storage with your city or county. Also check whether your truck weight needs a commercial driver's license, OSHA training requirements, and insurance.