Local HVAC parts and supply counter
Stock the parts and equipment local HVAC installers need and sell to them on trade accounts.
- $20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
6,477 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 423730 “Warm air heating and air-conditioning equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small trade counter in a unit or small warehouse selling common HVAC parts such as capacitors, contactors, motors, filters, line sets and thermostats. You can add small equipment like mini-splits through supplier programs. Contractors pick up same day.
Your first three steps
- Visit local HVAC contractors and ask what parts they struggle to get same day and which supply houses they use
- Contact manufacturers, wholesalers and buying groups about dealer or distributor accounts and their minimum orders
- Price a small unit near contractor-heavy areas and draft a starter inventory list focused on the fastest-moving parts
Who pays
Independent HVAC contractors, handymen, property managers and maintenance teams within a short drive.
How it makes money
You buy at wholesale or through a buying group and sell at a markup. Trade accounts, volume pricing and fast availability keep contractors coming back.
Skills that help
- Knowing HVAC parts and how they match up
- Inventory and ordering
- Building trade relationships
Watch out for
- Check EPA rules on selling refrigerants, as sales are generally limited to certified buyers
- Get a state resale certificate and check sales tax rules with your state
- Check city or county business license and zoning for your unit
- General liability and product liability insurance
- Inventory ties up cash, and big distributors may undercut you on price
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: local HVAC parts and supply 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 start an HVAC parts supply counter?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on your unit and how much inventory you stock. Inventory ties up cash, and big distributors may undercut you on price, so plan your budget carefully.
How much can an HVAC parts counter earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many contractor accounts you build and the range of parts you stock. Estimates start from about 35 hours of work a week.
What rules should I check before selling HVAC parts?
Check EPA rules on selling refrigerants, as sales are generally limited to certified buyers. Get a state resale certificate and check sales tax rules, plus your city or county business license and zoning. Also check general and product liability insurance.
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