Start a stone supply business with direct delivery

Sell landscaping stone and slabs by order and have it delivered from the quarry or a wholesaler, with no yard to rent.

Startup cost$1.5k to $8k
Monthly revenue$1.5k to $8k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
  • 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

You take orders for landscaping stone and natural stone slabs, buy from a quarry or wholesaler, and arrange delivery straight to the job site. You hold little or no stock.

Your first three steps

  1. Set up trade accounts with two or three quarries or wholesalers and ask about drop-ship and delivery options
  2. Create a simple website or catalog with photos, price ranges and a quote request form
  3. Contact local landscapers and masons and offer to quote their next project
Who pays

Small landscaping crews, masons, builders and homeowners who want help choosing and sourcing stone.

How it makes money

A markup on the stone plus a delivery charge, often with a deposit taken before you place the order.

Skills that help
  • Knowing stone types and uses
  • Quoting and measuring jobs
  • Building supplier relationships
  • Basic online marketing
Watch out for
  • Business license and sales tax registration, check with your state and city or county
  • General liability insurance and who is responsible if stone is damaged or delivered wrong
  • Home occupation permit or HOA and lease rules if you work from home
  • Supplier price changes and delivery delays between quote and order
  • Clear deposit and returns terms, since cut or special order stone is hard to return

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: stone supplier by direct delivery

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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a stone supply business with no yard?

Estimates put startup costs typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your setup and marketing. You hold little or no stock and rent no yard, which is reflected in these estimates.

How much can a stone delivery broker make?

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many crews, masons, builders and homeowners you supply. The estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week.

What licenses and rules should I check for selling stone?

Check business license and sales tax registration with your state and city or county. Also check general liability insurance, who is responsible for damaged or wrongly delivered stone, home occupation permit or HOA and lease rules, and clear deposit and returns terms.

Other ways to run this business

Similar trades ideas

More ideas →