Home service business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
55 ideas
This page collects 56 home service business ideas with startup costs up to $20,000. They suit people who are practical, reliable and happy to work directly with households, landlords or trade clients.
On-site Vastu consultant for homes and builders
Visit homes and building sites to advise on layout and orientation, and work with builders on new projects.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Garden design and project manager
Design a garden, then coordinate the landscapers and trades who build it for the client.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Garden lighting design and install
Design and install outdoor lighting for homes and small commercial properties, as a licensed electrician or with one on your team.
- A$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile blinds measure and fit service
Visit homes to measure, quote and install made-to-measure blinds ordered from a supplier.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile mower servicing van or ute
Drive to homes and landscaping crews to service mowers and garden tools on the spot.
- A$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Smart home camera and lock installer
Fit video doorbells, wireless cameras, smart locks and simple alarms for homeowners and renters who want help.
- A$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home irrigation installer
Design and install sprinkler and drip watering systems for home gardens and lawns, then repair them as they age.
- A$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Irrigation maintenance for strata and businesses
Keep watering systems running at units, businesses and grounds with regular checks, repairs and seasonal tune-ups.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile emergency locksmith
Drive to locked-out homes, cars and businesses and get people back inside, day or night.
- A$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home-based carpet trade supplier
Sell mill carpet and underlay to local flooring shops and fitters, with stock sent straight from the supplier.
- A$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Awning sales with a subcontract fitter
Sell and quote awnings from home and hire a local fitter, so you need little kit or stock.
- A$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Regular garden maintenance round
Mow, trim and tidy gardens for homeowners and landlords on a regular schedule in your area.
- A$2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile home and shop alarm installer
Supply and fit intruder alarms at homes and small businesses, working from your ute or van with no shopfront.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Rubbish removal with a ute and trailer
Collect unwanted items and garden or building waste from homes, then tip it legally.
- A$1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile knife and tool sharpening
Drive to cafes, restaurants, salons and tradies and sharpen knives, scissors and tools on the spot.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Handyman for landlords and property managers
Run a ute or van handyman business with steady repair work from rental properties, agents and small businesses.
- A$4k-18k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Kitchen installer for retailers and designers
Fit flat-pack and cabinetmaker kitchens as a subcontractor for kitchen suppliers, designers and builders.
- A$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Rental property maintenance handyman
Fix and maintain rental homes for landlords and property managers: small repairs, touch-ups and routine upkeep.
- A$1.5k-7k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Exterior and grounds upkeep for landlords
Keep rental and investment properties tidy outside: gutters, pressure washing, fences, lawns and rubbish removal.
- A$2k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based shoe repair service
Repair shoes and bags from a home workshop, taking jobs by post, local drop-off or pick-up.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Lawn mowing round
Mow and edge lawns for homeowners on a regular schedule, built up street by street.
- A$2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online radiator and towel rail supplier
Sell hydronic panel radiators and heated towel rails online to homeowners, landlords and plumbers in cooler parts of Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Residential garden landscaper
Build and refresh home gardens with turf, planting, paving and small retaining walls for local homeowners.
- A$3k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Garden maintenance round
Look after gardens on a regular schedule: mowing, edging, pruning, mulching and tidy-ups.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Some, like a lawn mowing round or a rental property maintenance handyman business, can begin with modest tools and a vehicle you may already own. Others, such as rubbish removal with a ute and trailer or wet area waterproofing subcontracting, need more equipment, training or insurance. Before choosing, think about which skills you already have, whether your work needs a licence or qualification in your state, and how far you are willing to travel. Check your likely hourly earnings against your costs, including fuel, tools and public liability cover.
More ideas
- Mobile home pest control
- Home-based lawn equipment hire
- Mobile household fridge repair
- Home help agency for private clients
- Home render and repair specialist
- Home asbestos inspection and sampling
- Home-based tool hire with delivery
- Carpet fitter for flooring retailers
- Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
- Mobile chimney sweep
- Chimney sweeping for rentals and holiday homes
- Home-based wood heater dealer
- Mobile sewing machine repair and service days
- Home-based patio enclosure dealer
- Mobile water filter fitting and replacement
- Subcontract water damage drying technician
- Mobile commercial microwave repair
- Home-based made-to-measure curtain maker
- Wet area waterproofing subcontractor
- Leak repair and remedial waterproofing
- Mobile washing machine and dryer repairer
- Mobile small appliance repair
- Pre-purchase building inspector
- Pre-sale and landlord property condition reports
- Mobile appliance repair
- Skylight leak repair and reseal service
- Full-time gutter cleaning and maintenance
- Home workshop appliance repairs
- Bird proofing for homes and small businesses
- Solar panel bird proofing
- Home cinema installer
Questions
Do I need a licence to start a home service business in Australia?
It depends on the work and the state or territory. Gardening may need none, but plumbing-related, electrical or waterproofing work often does. Check with your state's licensing or fair trading body before quoting or advertising any service.
What should I budget for beyond tools and equipment?
Check costs such as public liability insurance, vehicle running expenses, ABN registration, software for quotes and invoices, advertising and any required training. Also allow for slow weeks while you build regular customers, so the $20,000 isn't all committed upfront.
Which home service ideas are easiest to start small?
Ideas such as a lawn mowing round, garden maintenance or mobile small appliance repair can often start with fewer tools and a simple setup. Check what insurance, local rules and skills each one requires, and test demand in your area first.