The construction business was, is and will always be profitable. This is an axiom. High-rise buildings and cottages are constantly being built, people buy, sell and exchange housing, in the end, they just make repairs in the apartments. And for all this, not only working hands are needed, but also building materials.
What can I say, if there is no nail in the house, then even a small picture on the wall cannot be adapted, not to mention the implementation of more global ideas. What to do in this case? Naturally, go to the store for this very nail. And not only for him, because in order to drive him in, you will also need a hammer. Catch what we're getting at? Everything is correct, to the fact that without a building materials store, you can not do without a professional builder, or a beginner home foreman.
Attractive business idea
Therefore, if you suddenly decided to finally start working for yourself and are at a loss at this stage, thinking about which type of business to choose, do not hesitate to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge, stock up on the necessary amount and open your own outlet for trading in building materials. Believe me, you will not lose.
And even if at first it will not be a chic hypermarket of building and finishing materials, but just a small pavilion, it doesn’t matter, rest assured, you will receive profit regularly. And very good. That's why let's talk in detail how to open a hardware store.
Learning the basics ...
Any business requires a competent and reasonable approach. Therefore, in order for the undertaking not to fail at the very beginning, the first thing to do is to draw up a sensible business plan for a construction store. But you must admit, it is not so easy for a newcomer to entrepreneurship to do this right away, you must first study all the issues related to this profile of activity, and only then sit down at the table and make an estimate.
After all, everyone knows that the same our notorious nail can be bought both from a tray in a specialized market, and in a "tricked out" supermarket. Therefore, the first thing, after counting the contents of the wallet and soberly assessing your capabilities, you need to choose the format of the future outlet. How to do it? Read on.
A variety of types of building materials stores
There are many not only various trading enterprises offering such demanded goods. Of great importance is the range of construction stores. So, if you decide to dwell on the sale, for example, tools are one thing, and if you want to open a point like “Everything for repair” - this is completely different. Therefore, when drawing up a business plan for a construction store, first of all, consider this moment.
So, for example, you can rent a small room with an area of thirty to fifty squares and sell purely specific goods. Say, wallpaper and various additions in the form of glue, stickers and the like. The range of construction stores, covering an area of one hundred to two hundred square meters, is naturally much wider.
Here, the buyer will be offered not only wallpaper, but also paint, floor coverings, all kinds of plumbing - you can’t count everything. But, accordingly, the costs of opening such a outlet will be many times higher. If you feel the strength in yourself and have the appropriate amount of cash, then you can even start organizing a huge construction supermarket, which, however,It will require a usable area of a thousand or more squares.
But, the truth, the last two options are far from always suitable for a novice entrepreneur, if only for the most banal reason - the absence requires an amount that is calculated by a certain number of zeros, and in dollar terms. Therefore, the business plan of a hardware store must certainly be made taking into account your own financial condition.
We make out activities
How to arrange your future business activity? Do you think that you can cope with the task alone? Then feel free to register as an individual entrepreneur (stands for individual entrepreneur). If the business plan of the construction store is designed with the prospect in mind, then it is better to immediately register an LLC, since in this case you will certainly need hired hands.
We will not focus on the list of all necessary documents, since it is defined by law and is the same for any region. You can find out exactly what you need, either directly in your tax office, or - even easier - on its website. You can also get acquainted with the types of taxation systems there. As a rule, for an individual entrepreneur, the most acceptable option is to pay a single tax (it is called UTII), while firms registered as LLCs are settled with the state, working on a simplified taxation system.
But you also need to know that, in addition to tax, you will also have to obtain permits from the fire department, SES, the administration of the district or city, the chamber of commerce. If you plan to organize a parking near the outlet, you will need to coordinate this issue with the traffic police.
Seat selection
What else provides for the preparation of such a document as a business plan? A building store naturally requires a suitable building, which, as a rule, almost all beginner entrepreneurs rent. The rent depends on its area and location. It is clear that for a spacious and centrally located store, you will have to pay a much higher fee than for a small one, huddled on the outskirts.
However, one should remember the folk wisdom tested and proven over the centuries about a stingy person who has to pay twice. Therefore, you need to think about it, drawing up a business plan. A hardware store located in a deserted place is doomed to a quick death. So try not to save on rent (within reason). And choose a room for your business, given the following rules:
- Nearby there must certainly be a busy highway.
- The location near your retail outlet of the market, other (non-construction plan) outlets, which are popular with buyers, is welcome.
- The presence of large new buildings in the immediate vicinity is the key to good sales.
- Convenient access roads help to increase the number of customers.
Equipment
So, a room satisfying all the requirements was found. What to do next? Naturally, get it settled. If necessary, make repairs, and then purchase equipment. Here, special racks for a construction store will be required, on which your goods will lie waiting for the buyer. They can be either one-sided or bilateral, in the form of glass cabinets, display cases or racks. If a small trade pavilion opens, then all this equipment can be made with your own hands - for example, from wood.
But even in the case when racks are needed for a construction store of more solid sizes, you can also try to save. To do this, you need to carefully review all the announcements about the sale of commercial equipment.Sometimes, some businessmen whose business is “unsuccessful” for any reason, sell used, but in excellent condition windows, racks and other necessary items.
Standard or exclusive?
As we mentioned above, depending on the size and the chosen direction of activity, construction stores can significantly differ from each other in their assortment. To make it easier for you to orient when drawing up your business plan, since you will naturally have to pay the supplier for all goods, we will briefly consider their main types. After all, by and large, choosing a look you like from the whole list, you can not spray it, but open a specialized, and if you try, then an exclusive (albeit small) store selling, say, doors.
Building Product Groups
Naturally, within the framework of one article it will be quite difficult to describe the entire range of materials for repair and construction existing today. But we will try to summarize the essence of the issue.
So, what can you trade in your own finally opened store:
- Paintwork products. These are all kinds of impregnations, paints, varnishes, primers, coatings and others like them.
- Wallpaper. A product that is needed everywhere, always and for everyone. Therefore, it is desirable that the buyer, in addition to wallpaper, find on the shelves of your store the entire related assortment: glue, stickers, borders, brushes, rollers and other necessary trifles. Even scissors and tape measures will not be superfluous, by the way. They don’t take up a lot of places, and income - albeit small - will certainly bring.
- Plumbing: this group includes both “heavy artillery” - bathtubs, toilets, showers, washbasins, and a trifle so necessary in plumbing: fittings, pipes, fixtures, faucets and much more. Plus bathroom furniture so fashionable today.
- Ceramic tiles. Its assortment is huge, the choice is more than great.
- Finishing building materials: putties, stucco mixtures, self-leveling floors - the range of goods is large, demand is huge.
- Flooring: laminate, linoleum, carpet, parquet, board, cork.
- Roofing materials: corrugated board, all types of artificial and natural tiles, slate and even a banal roofing material.
- Doors: entrance and interior, wooden and glass, sliding and hinged. Today's assortment of these products cannot but surprise even seasoned shoppers.
- Construction tools: from a simple spatula to a concrete mixer.
- Electrical products: from sockets to exclusive designer chandeliers.
Suppliers
But somewhere, all this magnificence for trade needs to be taken? It will, of course, require access to suppliers. Where to find them? On the Internet, according to announcements, in business catalogs, personally touring all the wholesale trade bases. And we must remember the immutable rule: as well as well-established advertising, and a good proven supplier of building materials is the key to the success and prosperity of your company.
After all, firstly, when working with wholesalers with an excellent reputation, you do not have to worry about the quality of the goods. And secondly, long-term cooperation with the same suppliers guarantees substantial discounts in the near future. Since any seller appreciates a regular buyer.
Employees
As well as managing a newly made store, experienced employees should trade in it. You need to know the specifics of the goods offered to customers, be able to get along with the client, explain to him "what, where and why." Indeed, so often people come to the construction store who do not understand anything in this area, and therefore, of course, they need specialist advice and competent advice. Movers and a cleaner will also be required at the store.
Choose a name
Everyone understands that a respectable - albeit a beginner - businessman is supposed to manage an enterprise with an equally respectable "name". Therefore, the question of what to call the store of building and decoration materials should be approached with all responsibility. You, of course, remember the boat, which they will call, so it will sail? Therefore, thinking about what to write on the sign, do not forget: the name should correspond to the specifics of your outlet.
But within reason. Agree, it’s ridiculous to go to the wallpaper shop called “The Screwdriver”, or to the “Wild Orchid” pavilion, which offers the buyer fittings or plungers for bathtubs. Then it’s better not to be original. Simply called - "Interior" and "Moidodyr" (respectively). Let beaten, but on the case. Although, of course, we must try to ensure that the store’s name is sonorous, well remembered and even to some extent caressed by hearing.
But the main thing is that there is no longer the same outlet in your city. Because, firstly, this is plagiarism, and secondly, who knows, maybe the complaint book of this store has long been swollen from the reviews of dissatisfied customers. So no one will particularly understand that we are talking about completely different enterprises. Automatic machine and you will become a store with a "tarnished" reputation. In no case do not forget about these rules when you look for the answer to the question of what to call a hardware store.
And now a few words about, as is now customary to say, the advancement of your brainchild.
Advertising
Building materials, like any other product, need advertising. To attract as many buyers as possible, blow at each corner: “We are open! We have the lowest prices in the whole city! ”Declare yourself, not only by printing ads in newspapers. Carry out all kinds of promotions, apply a system of bonuses and discount cards, give customers small, but nice trinkets.
And be sure to create your own website to attract customers through the Internet. And make acquaintances with the leaders of construction companies and crews. Having concluded an appropriate reward agreement with them, you will receive a literally inexhaustible stream of new and new customers.
Business plan
A building store, without a penny, naturally, you will not open. This is a serious matter requiring substantial financial injections. So, the opening of a small pavilion will require at least 400 thousand rubles. So experts say. If you put a margin on your product within 30%, you can help out a month about two hundred thousand. It seems to be nice. But! You need to pay a rent, give out salaries to employees, pay off the state. Plus, of course, to spend almost all of the remaining revenue on payment for a new product.
As a result, the profit will be very small. Conclusion: by and large, having a small pavilion is unprofitable. Unless you work alone, without wage labor. Then it’s quite possible to make bread with a small piece of butter.
Another thing is a full-fledged store of building materials, even if not very large, covering an area of just over one hundred squares. Of course, it will have to spend eight to nine million to open it, but the minimum net profit will be more than two hundred thousand per month.
