If you are considering starting your own DIY shop then much of the advice you should follow is similar to that for anyone looking to set up any type of shop.
Firstly, consider whether you will be purchasing an existing DIY shop or starting from scratch. If you are buying an existing shop, it will obviously mean less work in terms of finding a premises and investing in the necessary shop fittings and equipment. It should also mean you have a customer base established, although this of course relies on the fact that the previous business owners were reputable and honest.
As well as a customer base and premises in place, choosing to buy an existing DIY shop will mean there are already relationships in place with suppliers (again, the previous owners’ reputations and practices are relevant here) and staff are already in place should you choose to keep them on.
Do your own research to determine whether the location is right for your business. If the previous owners are selling up because they failed to get enough custom, you need to determine that this is not due to the location of the premises to avoid making the same mistake. If the location is not ideal but you feel you can make a DIY business work where others have not, you may be able to bring the sellers down on price.
When starting any new business, money is usually a prime concern, and saving money elsewhere becomes increasingly important. You will probably find you need to save money in the home in order to fund your business before you start taking a profit, so consider money-saving techniques such as buying beds on finance and other vital household furniture from Bensons for Beds, rather than forking out for essential items in one lump sum.