Pre-Order wholesale flower delivery route

Small florists without a wholesale account, wedding and event designers, caterers, venues and cafes that use flowers.

You add a markup to the buying price, plus a delivery fee or minimum order. Buying to order keeps waste low. More customers on the same route raise income per trip.

• Organizing orders and delivery days
• Comfortable driving routes and early starts
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Reliable customer service

• Keeping flowers cool in transit, so test your setup in hot weather
• Check your state's rules on selling plants, since some states require a nursery or plant dealer license
• Check sales tax registration and resale certificate handling with your state
• General liability and commercial auto insurance, since personal car policies often exclude business delivery
• Customers paying late, so consider set payment terms or card on file
• Check city or county rules if you store stock at home

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your van, how you keep flowers cool, and your early supplier orders.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many florists and event customers you serve and how often you deliver. Customers paying late can affect cash flow.

Check your state's rules on selling plants, since some require a nursery or plant dealer license, plus sales tax registration and resale certificate handling. Also check commercial auto and liability insurance, and city or county rules if you store stock at home.