Retaining wall block and stone yard

Landscapers and hardscape contractors, small builders and homeowners doing garden wall projects.

You mark up the blocks and materials you buy wholesale, and you can charge for delivery. Repeat contractor accounts are the steady base.

• Sales and building a contractor network
• Inventory and ordering
• Basic knowledge of wall construction and materials
• Customer service

• Zoning and permits for storing and selling bulk materials, check with your city or county
• Sales tax registration and resale certificates, check with your state's revenue department
• General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Heavy inventory ties up cash and winter can be slow in colder states
• Safe forklift and loading practices, check training requirements

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on your land, equipment and how much stock you hold. Heavy inventory ties up cash, so plan your opening range carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your contractor network, product range and deliveries. Winter can be slow in colder states, and the estimate assumes at least about 40 hours a week.

Check zoning and permits for storing and selling bulk materials with your city or county. Also check sales tax registration and resale certificates with your state's revenue department, and any training requirements for safe forklift and loading practices.