Industrial furnace parts broker (home-based)

Plant maintenance departments, industrial service and repair firms, heat treating shops, bakeries and other manufacturers running furnaces and ovens.

You buy at trade price and sell at a markup, often with quick-turnaround or hard-to-find part premiums. Repeat accounts and recurring orders for wear parts build steady income.

• Reading part numbers and spec sheets
• Sales and follow-up with business buyers
• Organized quoting and order tracking
• Basic knowledge of furnace and burner equipment

• Register as a business and check your state for a seller's permit or resale certificate, so you can buy for resale without paying sales tax
• General and product liability insurance, as incorrect or faulty parts on gas-fired equipment are a serious risk
• Some manufacturers limit who can sell their parts, so check distributor agreements and brand authorization
• Make sure you quote the right part and understand return and warranty terms with each supplier
• Check zoning, home occupation rules and HOA or lease terms if any stock is ever shipped to or kept at your home

Estimates typically put startup costs around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your quoting tools, catalog setup and insurance. Because suppliers ship direct to customers, you hold little or no stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many maintenance teams and repair firms you serve. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

Register as a business and check your state for a seller's permit or resale certificate. Also check general and product liability insurance, manufacturer distributor restrictions, and any zoning, HOA or lease terms.