How do you become a flooring stockist?
To become a flooring stockist (also called a dealer or authorised reseller) you apply to a supplier, agree its trade terms, and then buy at wholesale prices to resell to your own customers. With Timbo, you apply online or by email, talk to us about your business, accept the partner terms to unlock wholesale pricing, and start with samples. There's no fee and no exclusivity.
Timbo stockists sell Prime grade European solid oak herringbone, chevron and pattern parquet in Australia and New Zealand. We call them partners, because they also get marketing support and referred enquiries.
Stockist, distributor or importer?
These roles sit at different points in the supply chain. An importer brings timber into the country and carries the compliance and stock risk. A distributor or wholesaler (Timbo's role) holds stock locally and sells only to the trade. A stockist or dealer sells to the end customer and usually arranges installation. Becoming a stockist lets you offer European oak parquet without taking on the importer's container, cash and paperwork.
Who can become a Timbo stockist
| Business type | How they usually work with Timbo |
|---|---|
| Flooring retailer or showroom | Display samples, quote walk-in and referred customers, order per job |
| Flooring installer or contractor | Supply and install parquet jobs, often without a showroom |
| Builder | Supply custom homes and renovations through a trade account |
| Developer | Specify and supply premium projects in stages |
| Interior designer or architect | Specify with samples and nominate an installing partner |
Each type has its own guide: flooring retailers, installers, builders and designers and architects.
Application checklist
Have these ready and the application takes a few minutes:
- Your name and business name
- Email and phone for the person who'll place orders
- Business type (retailer, installer, builder, developer, designer, architect or other trade business)
- State, or North or South Island in New Zealand
- Website, or ABN / NZBN so we can confirm you're trading
- Estimated m² per month – a range is fine, and "not sure yet" is an honest answer
- A short description of your business and the projects you work on
- The Timbo products you're most interested in (herringbone 710mm or 820mm, chevron, pattern parquet)
Then apply through the partner form, email partnerships@timbo.com.au.
What Timbo looks for
We aren't looking for a particular size of business. We're looking for businesses that will represent a premium solid oak floor well. A strong application usually shows:
- A real flooring business. A trading website, ABN or NZBN, and a track record or a clear plan.
- Installation quality. Either your own experienced team or reliable installers. Solid 18mm parquet is glue-down, pattern work. Show us you, or your installers, have done it before, or tell us how you'll get there.
- A fit with the product. Clients who value solid timber, classic patterns and a Prime grade look: renovators, custom-home builders, design-led projects.
- A region we can serve well. Partners are currently listed only in Melbourne, so applications from other Australian cities and New Zealand are especially welcome.
- Honest selling. Partners who explain subfloor, moisture and maintenance realities to clients, and recommend another product when solid parquet isn't right.
What you commit to
Being a stockist is low-commitment, but there are rules. They're in the partner terms:
- pay for orders in full upfront, unless credit terms are agreed in writing;
- order by email purchase order;
- inspect deliveries and report defects within 3 days, and damage claims within 30 days;
- accept that orders are final except for damaged goods;
- market Timbo products accurately using the information Timbo supplies.
What happens after you apply
We review applications during business hours, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm Melbourne time, and contact you to talk about your business, samples and pricing. Once the terms are accepted, wholesale pricing is unlocked, you can order samples, and we can add you to the partner directory. The full sequence is in how it works.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a flooring stockist, dealer and partner?
They're largely the same thing. A stockist or dealer is a business authorised to sell a supplier's product. Timbo calls its stockists partners, because the relationship includes marketing support and referred enquiries as well as supply.
Do I need to hold stock to be a Timbo stockist?
No container or stock-holding commitment is required. Many partners hold samples and order stock per job from Melbourne. If you want showroom stock, discuss quantities with Timbo.
Do I need an ABN or NZBN to apply?
The application asks for your website or ABN/NZBN so we can confirm you're a trading business. Timbo supplies businesses, not consumers.
Can a new flooring business apply?
Yes. Tell us about your experience, the work you do and your plans. A newer business with a clear focus on quality installation can be a good fit.
Will I be the only Timbo stockist in my area?
No exclusivity is offered. The partnership is non-exclusive on both sides, so you can sell other brands and Timbo can appoint other partners.