Carpet and fitting business

[AlexJ123]

Hi,

I am thinking of opening a carpet business which provides fitting. Does anyone out there know how much I stand to make like revenue, gross and net profits.

I have had a look around and find most places charge for average carpet size 10 metre by 5 metre around £500 for the carpet, £200 for underlay and around £150 - £200 for fitting.

What would be the costs involved and what would I stand to make and how many customers should I expect for example in a week? Any answers would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[Mark T Jones]

Wow! Take a big step back! You really don’t know the first thing about this business.

The answers to all of your questions will be dictated by how you run your business

What segment are you aiming at?

What is the local competition?

How will you differentiate yourself?

What type of premises will you have?

So many things to consider before anyone can take even a wild guess at the answers.

 

[AlexJ123]

Hi Mark,

Thanks. Answer to your questions:

1. I am looking at targeting middle class to lower income market or landlords for cheaper scale carpet provision.

2. The local competition is actually in Leicester with about 10 other carpet companies but none that I can see in the 2 mile radius I am looking at and half of those seem like they are quite busy with jobs.

3. I will differentiate by at obviously try be lower priced at first and asking more questions in regards to design help customer service basically.

4. Premises I am looking at not too big around the size of two normal sized post offices like 100 meter squared ground floor only.

Myself and 1 employee fitter with a van and 40 variants of carpet in stock.

 

[MBE2017]

Trying to undercut is a dangerous game to start, particularly if your competitors have deeper pockets and lower costs. There are better ways.

 

[estwig]

A draft thread to make you smile on a Friday morning.

Awesome!

 

[Mark T Jones]

A quick Google of 'carpet shops Leicester' brings up far more than 10 results.

Has your research shown that 2 mile radius is significant?

If you aim to be the cheapest, you are a penny away from failing. Why have you decided to compete on price alone?

As with any start up - particularly one in a sector you don't understand - success will depend on the level of research you do. I suggest you dedicate the next 6 months to getting good answers (not just the ones you like to hear) to the questions being asked - and a million others.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Are you going to be fitting yourself?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I would just do the fitting keep the costs as low as possible .There will be no stock or storage ect
If you want to be in carpets then just do what is going to make you the most money

 

[Ian J]

Are you going to be fitting yourself?

No. He'll be fitting the carpets



: I'll get my coat :

 

[AllUpHere]

No. He'll be fitting the carpets



: I'll get my coat :

Oh Ian. You've really let yourself down there.

 

[Mitch3473]

Bullet point 3 is the classic.....
Dont try to compete with the cheapest, compete with the mid to upper range.
Many new starts follow this flawed idea by thinking that any potential client will use you based on price alone, it doesn't work like that. At best you'll end up running round like an idiot trying to stand still.

 

[Qukaylan]

As this is highly competitive area in your neighbourhood, you would need to find sort of a niche. In your business, it might be hard to find one. So, think good what could make you stand in front of your competition

 

[Stedurham]

Ive got a business doing this and you will make about 40% margin on product if and big if you can get the right prices from suppliers. Also you will be cash on delivery to start with, fitting price is way out we would charge £100 for this. Don't employ fitters get subbys, never employ them believe me you can take a fiver or tenner a job, that's all you will make from the fitting