How do I open a trade acoount?

[bootsyjam]

My architect has advised me to open a trade account in order to save money for our refurb/rebuild.
I tried this at a stoneworks we want to use and they have said they can't as I need a company/need to be VAT registered etcetc.
Is the architect correct in saying anyone can open a trade account? Has not been my experience so far and to be honest I'm kind of surprised it could be so easy to do.
What criteria needs to be met, if any?
Any advice gratefully received.

I think you need to be a trade don’t you?

the architect is wrong
for obvious reasons most suppliers will not accept someone for trade status who cannot show that they are actually trading.

Suppliers will have qualification criteria you can check for yourself, they obviously vary in extent between each.
Example are: Ltd, sole trader tax return, evidence of invoices to multiple customers, reaching threshold expenditure.

As many in the building industry will be sole traders rather than their own limited companies, a supplier who restricts only to Ltd has made a choice of their own to do so and there is nothing you can do if that is one of their criteria.
Bear in mind that a trade account is not about getting trade discount, it is more to do with getting an interest free credit period in which to pay the supplier. Hence suppliers want to know you are "good for credit" just the same as of you had applied for a credit card.

Thanks very much, I thought it was a bit odd that anyone could just do it!

I do this for a living.

anyone can’t open a trade account. You don’t have to be a limited company or VAT registered but you do have to be working in the construction industry. Usually you have to provide two trade references (other suppliers) and your business details. There may be a credit check. Some places will even want to see your latest accounts.