How to start a small natural stone yard

Builders, stonemasons, landscapers, fabricators and homeowners who want to pick stone in person.

You sell stone at a markup over what you pay suppliers, priced per piece, square foot or ton. Delivery fees and cutting to size can add income.

• Sales and customer service
• Knowing stone types and uses
• Inventory and ordering
• Safe lifting and forklift operation

• Zoning and business license rules for outdoor storage and customer visits, check with your city or county
• General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Forklift and heavy lifting safety, check OSHA training requirements
• If you cut stone, dust control matters (silica exposure), check OSHA guidance
• Money tied up in stock that may sell slowly
• Sales tax registration with your state and handling resale certificates

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on yard size, how much stone you stock and the equipment you need. These are estimates, and money tied up in stock that sells slowly is a key thing to plan for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your stock, location and mix of builder, mason and homeowner customers. That is revenue, not profit, and slow-selling stock can tie up cash.

Check zoning and business license rules for outdoor storage and customer visits with your city or county. Also check insurance, OSHA forklift and lifting training, sales tax registration and resale certificates, and silica dust guidance if you cut stone.