Home service business ideas you can start for under $5,000

34 ideas

These 34 home service ideas suit people who are practical, reliable and happy to work with local households, without needing a large amount of capital. Some are hands-on trades such as gutter cleaning for single-storey homes or home-based sewing machine repair and servicing.

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Online Vastu consultant

Review floor plans and home layouts by video call and give clear Vastu advice to clients across Australia.

• A$300-1.5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Home-based garden design service

Draw garden layouts and planting plans for homeowners from your home office, with site visits as needed.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Garden lighting design service

Plan outdoor lighting for gardens and building exteriors, then hand the install to a licensed electrician or landscaper.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Home workshop mower repair and servicing

Service and repair petrol and electric mowers and garden tools from your garage or shed, with drop-off or pick-up.

• A$1k-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Home-based furniture repair and touch-up

Fix wobbly chairs, scratched tables and broken drawers from a garage or shed workshop.

• A$1k-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Home decluttering and organising

Help households sort, declutter and set up storage that works, one room or whole house at a time.

• A$300-1.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Downsizing and moving organiser

Guide older people and families through sorting, packing and settling into a new home.

• A$500-2.5k
• Part-time
• Out and about

Weekend garden tidy-ups and clean-ups

Take one-off jobs like overgrown gardens, hedge cuts and pre-sale tidy-ups using basic tools.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Pop-up shoe shine at offices and events

Set up a portable shoe shine stand at offices, hotels, weddings and conferences and polish shoes on the spot.

• A$300-1.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Snow clearing for alpine homes and holiday lets

Clear driveways, steps and paths for homeowners and holiday rentals in snowy alpine towns, on a seasonal basis.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home styling and staging consultant

Advise sellers on how to rearrange, declutter and style their own furniture so their home shows well.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home-based sharpening service

Sharpen knives, scissors and garden tools in your garage or shed, with drop-off, pick-up or post.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• From home

Weekend and evening handyman

Fix the small jobs locals put off: hanging shelves, patching walls, fixing gates and flat-pack assembly.

• A$600-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Smart home setup for plug-in devices

Set up smart bulbs, plugs, cameras and hubs in homes, and get it all working together on the household's wifi.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home-based watch repair bench

Fix battery, strap and basic mechanical watch problems from a tidy bench at home, taking jobs by post, online and from local jewellers.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Feng shui consultant (home and business visits)

Visit homes and small businesses to advise on layout, furniture and colour using feng shui principles.

• A$500-2.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Local house sitting service

Build a small, trusted team of sitters and match them to clients' homes and pets.

• A$1k-5k
• Part-time
• From home

Local house sitter matching agency

Match vetted sitters with homeowners going away, and earn a fee for each booking.

• A$500-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Pond cleaning and repair service

Look after existing ponds with regular cleans, pump and filter servicing, and leak repairs for local homeowners.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home lamp repair workshop

Repair and rewire table and floor lamps from a home workbench, with drop-off, pick-up or post.

• A$1k-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Home help and errands for local households

Help busy families and older locals with shopping, tidying and everyday jobs around the house.

• A$200-1.2k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Carpet repair and restretching

Fix rippled, torn and burnt carpet in homes and rentals using a small kit and your own ute.

• A$1k-4k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Home-based sewing machine repair and servicing

Service and repair sewing machines at a home workbench for local sewers, quilters and dressmakers.

• A$800-3.5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Benchtop supply service (no workshop)

Measure up, quote and order kitchen and bathroom benchtops from local suppliers for homeowners and builders.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

About these ideas

Others lean on organisation and people skills, like a local house sitter matching agency or a home styling and staging consultant. Before choosing, think about which skills you already have, what tools or training you would need, and how far customers are willing to let you travel. Check whether your work needs a licence, insurance or safety training in your state or territory, and price your jobs so travel time and materials are covered. Start with the ideas that match your experience.

More ideas

• Home workshop microwave repairer
• Mobile curtain and blind consultant
• Home workshop washer and dryer repair
• Home-based small appliance repair bench
• Home workshop appliance repair
• Spa servicing and minor repairs round
• Water softener dealer with service plans
• Home-based vacuum repair and service
• Gutter cleaning for single-storey homes
• Office plant care rounds

Questions