Paint and finishes delivery to trades

Painting contractors, cabinet and trim carpenters, remodelers and small builders who value time over saving a few dollars.

You buy at wholesale or dealer pricing and sell with a markup, often adding a delivery fee or minimum order. Regular accounts and standing orders bring repeat sales.

• Product knowledge of paints and finishes
• Sales and relationship building
• Inventory and bookkeeping
• Reliable driving and scheduling

• Paints, solvents and some finishes are flammable, so check fire code and zoning rules for storing them at home or in a rented unit
• Check federal and state rules for carrying flammable liquids in a vehicle, especially above small quantities
• Some states and regions limit VOC content in paints and coatings, so check which products you can sell
• General liability and commercial auto insurance, plus product liability coverage, are worth checking
• Distributors may require minimum orders, and big chain stores can undercut prices, so aim at service and convenience
• Sales tax and resale certificate rules vary by state

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your vehicle, opening stock, storage and insurance. Distributors may require minimum orders, so check their terms before you buy stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many trade customers you win and how often they order. Big chain stores can undercut prices, so aim at service and convenience.

Check fire code and zoning rules for storing flammable paints and solvents, and federal and state rules for carrying flammable liquids in a vehicle. Also check state VOC limits on products you can sell, and sales tax and resale certificate rules.