Home services business ideas that run from your own premises
16 ideas
These 16 home services ideas work best when customers come to you, or when you need space for tools, stock and messy work. Some are workshops, such as a furniture restoration and reupholstery workshop or a lamp repair and restoration studio.
Blinds and shutters showroom
Open a small shopfront showing blinds and shutters, with measuring and fitting for local customers.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Furniture restoration and reupholstery workshop
Rent a small unit to restore and reupholster furniture for homes, cafes and retailers.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Locksmith shop with emergency call-outs
Run a small shopfront for key cutting and lock sales, and send out a van for urgent jobs.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Carpet and underlay trade warehouse
Hold popular carpet rolls and underlay in a small unit and supply local fitters and shops fast, with cut lengths.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bark and mulch yard
Run a small yard with bulk bays of bark and mulch that trade and public customers can load up or have delivered.
- A$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Shoe repair shop
Resole, restitch and restore shoes and bags from a small shopfront, with key cutting as an optional add-on.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Radiator shop with refurbishment workshop
Run a small shop selling radiators and fittings, and refurbish or supply replacement radiators for locals and tradies.
- A$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Garden and lawn equipment hire shop
Run a small hire yard with mowers, trimmers and bigger garden machines for homeowners and tradies.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Lamp repair and restoration studio
Run a small workshop or shopfront restoring lamps for antique dealers, shops and households.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home heating showroom
Sell gas, wood and ducted heaters and parts from a small shop, with installs done by licensed partners.
- A$40k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tool and equipment hire shop
Open a local hire shop with a wide range of tools and equipment for builders and homeowners.
- A$40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Wood heater and fireplace showroom
Run a small shop selling wood heaters and accessories, with installs done by qualified local fitters.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Fire-damaged contents cleaning workshop
Clean and deodorise smoke-damaged belongings, clothes and soft furnishings in a small workshop.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Vacuum repair and spare parts shop
Run a small shop that repairs vacuums and sells bags, filters, belts and parts.
- A$10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small appliance repair shop
Run a local shopfront that fixes toasters, vacuums, kettles, power tools and other small electrical items.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Home cinema design and install studio
Design full home cinema rooms and install them, with a small demo space for clients.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others are shopfronts or yards, like a tool and equipment hire shop or a bark and mulch yard. They suit people who are comfortable with a lease or a purchase, and who want a fixed base rather than a van and a phone. Before anything else, price the premises: rent, fit-out, insurance, storage and parking all shape your margins. Check the zoning of any site, how loud or dusty your work is, and whether you will need deliveries or heavy lifting. Then work out how many customers you realistically need each week to cover your fixed costs.
Questions
What should I check before leasing premises for a home services business?
Check that the zoning and lease terms allow your type of work, including noise, deliveries, storage and opening hours. Ask the local council what approvals may apply, and compare rent against the weekly sales you would need to cover it.
Do I need a licence or insurance to run a workshop or hire shop in Australia?
It depends on the business and the state or territory. Things to check include trade licences, council approvals, public liability and product insurance, and safety rules for tools, chemicals or hire equipment. Confirm requirements with the relevant regulator or an adviser.
How do I decide between a workshop, a showroom and a yard?
Think about how customers buy. Repair and restoration work needs bench space but not prime foot traffic, while showrooms rely on visibility and display. Yards need room for stock and trucks. Match the location and cost to how people will find and use you.