Stove and fireplace showroom

Homeowners in colder or rural areas, people renovating or building, and buyers who want a backup heat source.

Margin on stoves and inserts, plus add-on sales of pipe, hearth pads, tools, fireplace accessories and firewood storage. Some shops also earn from installation or referral fees.

• Product knowledge and honest advice
• Customer service
• Inventory and supplier management

• General liability and property insurance, and check whether your insurer wants details about the installs you arrange
• Installation rules: check whether your state or city requires a contractor license, and whether installers hold credentials such as NFI or CSIA certification
• Local burn restrictions and air quality rules, which can limit what you can sell in some areas
• Building permits and inspections for installs, and who is responsible if work fails inspection
• Sales tax registration with your state, and the cost of carrying inventory through slow summer months

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, display stock and inventory. These are estimates. Remember the cost of carrying inventory through slow summer months.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on sales volume and the products you stock. These are estimates, and slow summer months can affect your cash flow.

Check whether your state or city requires a contractor license for installs, and whether installers hold credentials such as NFI or CSIA. Also check local burn restrictions, building permits and inspections, and liability and property insurance.