LAUNCH YOUR
BUILDING MATERIALS SUPPLY
Follow one of our 30 guides to help you form, build, and launch your Building Materials Supply with confidence.
VALIDATE
3 guides
The Essentials: Validate — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to validate your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
Choosing Your Specialty Niche: Lumber Yard vs Roofing Supply vs Masonry vs Tile Dealer
Lumber yard, roofing supply, masonry/hardscape, or specialty tile dealer — each niche has different …
Independent Building Supply Dealer vs Cooperative Member: Analyzing Do it Best, Ace, and True Value
Compare going independent vs joining Do it Best, Ace Hardware, or True Value cooperative for your bu…
FORM
3 guides
LLC, Resale Certificate, EIN, and DOT Numbers for a Building Materials Dealer
Step-by-step guide to forming your building supply LLC, getting your resale certificate to buy tax-f…
Setting Up Contractor Trade Credit Accounts: Net-30 Systems for Building Supply Dealers
How to set up contractor trade credit accounts for your building supply business — credit applicatio…
The Essentials: Form — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to form your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
FINANCE
3 guides
Startup Costs and Supplier Accounts for a Building Materials Dealer: $300K to $2M Budget Guide
Detailed startup cost breakdown for building supply dealers — inventory, warehouse, equipment, and h…
Floor Plan Financing and ERP Software for Building Supply Dealers: BisTrack, DMSi Agility, and NetSuite
Compare Epicor BisTrack, DMSi Agility, and NetSuite for building supply ERP. Plus how to structure f…
The Essentials: Finance — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to finance your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
BUILD
3 guides
Building Supply Facility Setup: Forklifts, Racking, Yard Layout, and Delivery Fleet
How to set up a building supply warehouse and yard — forklift selection, Uline and Mecalux racking, …
Implementing Epicor BisTrack or DMSi Agility: ERP Setup Guide for New Building Supply Dealers
Step-by-step guide to implementing Epicor BisTrack or DMSi Agility ERP for a new building supply dea…
The Essentials: Build — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to build your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
BRAND
3 guides
Building Materials Dealer Branding: Trade Shows, Contractor Loyalty, and GC Relationships
How to build your brand as an independent building materials dealer — trade show presence at IBS and…
Google Local SEO and Digital Presence for Independent Building Supply Dealers
How to dominate local Google search results as an independent building materials dealer — Google Bus…
The Essentials: Brand — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to brand your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
PROTECT
3 guides
Building Materials Dealer Insurance: Commercial Property, Auto, Product Liability, and Workers Comp
Complete insurance guide for independent building materials dealers — commercial property for high-v…
Product Liability and Fleet Compliance for Building Materials Dealers: FMCSA, DOT, and Risk Management
DOT and FMCSA compliance for building supply delivery trucks, product liability risk management for …
The Essentials: Protect — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to protect your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
LOCATE
3 guides
Building Supply Location Strategy: Site Selection, Zoning, and Truck Access for Your Yard
How to select the right location for a building supply yard — zoning requirements for outdoor storag…
Industrial Zoning and Outdoor Storage Permits for Building Supply Dealers
Navigate industrial zoning, outdoor storage conditional use permits, and site plan approval for a bu…
The Essentials: Location — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to location your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
PRICE
3 guides
Building Materials Pricing Strategy: Competing With Home Depot Pro and Setting Contractor Net Pricing
How to price building materials competitively against Home Depot Pro and Lowe's Pro — contractor net…
Co-op Advertising Programs and Contractor Loyalty Pricing With GAF, Owens Corning, and Dal-Tile
How to access co-op advertising funds from GAF, Owens Corning, Dal-Tile, and Belgard as an independe…
The Essentials: Price — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to price your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
SELL
3 guides
Contractor Account Development for Building Supply Dealers: From Cold Call to $100K Annual Account
How independent building supply dealers win and grow contractor accounts — NAHB chapter networking, …
Builder Association Relationships, Spec Bid Pricing, and Delivery Programs That Win Building Supply Accounts
Advanced sales strategies for independent building materials dealers — leveraging NAHB and builder a…
The Essentials: Sell — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to sell your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
OPERATE
3 guides
Inventory Management and Operations for Building Supply Dealers: BisTrack, DMSi, and Daily Operations
How to manage daily operations at a building supply business — inventory management with BisTrack or…
Purchase Order Management, Delivery Scheduling, and Returns Handling at a Building Supply Yard
Detailed operational guide for building supply dealers — purchase order workflows with ABC Supply, B…
The Essentials: Scale — Building Materials Supply
Essential guide to scale your Building Materials Supply. Key steps and checklist.…
30 free guides covering every step — from testing your first idea to building the systems that let your business run without you.
Get the Free Checklist →