Start a Landscape Stone and Slab Yard
Sell flagstone, boulders, gravel and natural stone slabs from a small local yard to contractors and homeowners.
- $25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
3,736 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
NAICS 423320 “Brick, stone, and related construction material merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small yard or unit where you stock natural stone such as flagstone, river rock, gravel, boulders and a few slabs. Customers can browse, pick up or have orders delivered.
Your first three steps
- Call regional quarries and stone wholesalers to compare wholesale prices, minimum orders and delivery terms
- Find a yard or lot in your county that is zoned for outdoor material storage and check the lease terms
- Visit local landscapers and masons to find out which stone they buy most and what they would pay
Who pays
Landscapers, masons, builders and homeowners doing patios, walls, paths and garden projects.
How it makes money
You buy stone from quarries or wholesalers and sell at a markup by the pallet, ton or piece, with delivery fees on top.
Skills that help
- Knowing stone types and uses
- Pricing and negotiating with suppliers
- Customer service and quoting
- Managing stock and deliveries
Watch out for
- Zoning for outdoor storage and heavy truck traffic, check with your city or county
- General liability and commercial property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Sales tax registration with your state and whether resale certificates apply for contractors
- Heavy loads: forklift or loader training and safe handling rules, check OSHA requirements
- Tying up cash in stock that sells slowly
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a landscape stone yard?
Estimates put startup costs typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on your site, the stone you stock and your handling equipment. Stock can sell slowly, so it is worth planning for tied-up cash.
How much can a landscape stone yard make?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many landscapers, masons, builders and homeowners you serve. The estimates assume at least about 35 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a stone yard?
Check zoning for outdoor storage and heavy truck traffic with your city or county. Also check sales tax registration and resale certificates, insurance including workers' compensation once you hire, and OSHA requirements for forklift or loader training and safe handling.
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