Trades business ideas you run out and about

212 ideas

These 212 trades ideas suit people who would rather work on site, on the road or at a customer's place than in a fixed shopfront. You might be a qualified tradie going out on your own, or someone with a practical skill and a ute or van.

Swipe through these ideas →

5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOwn premisesOnline
Heating engineer servicing a boiler in a home utility room.

Mobile heating and boiler repair

Repair and service gas heaters, furnaces and hydronic boilers at homes and small businesses as a licensed mobile tradie.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Engineer fitting a wall-mounted air conditioning unit in a room.

Home air conditioning install and service

Install, service and repair split systems for homeowners, working from a ute or van.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Subcontract air conditioning installer

Fit units as a sole trader for bigger installers and builders, with no need to find your own customers.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground supply and install crew

Supply and fit play equipment and soft-fall surfacing for schools, councils and nurseries with your own small crew.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Workers laying block paving on a new driveway outside a house.

Patio and driveway paving

Lay pavers and concrete patios, paths and driveways for homeowners in your area.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Car park and commercial paving crew

Run a small crew laying asphalt and concrete for car parks, driveways and businesses.

  • A$80k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Mobile fastener supplier to tradies

Stock a ute or van with screws, bolts and anchors and restock local builders and tradies on site.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Mobile wheelchair and mobility aid repairs

Drive to homes and care facilities to fix and service wheelchairs, scooters and walkers on the spot.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Mobile hose and fittings van

Drive to farms, workshops and worksites with hose stock, and make or replace hoses on the spot.

  • A$25k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Demolition excavator breaking down a building on a cleared urban site.

Residential demolition and site clearing

Take down houses, garages, sheds and pools for homeowners and builders, then clear the site.

  • A$30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Strip-out and soft demolition

Remove old kitchens, walls, ceilings and fit-outs by hand for renovators and shop owners.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Residential electrician for local homes

Install lighting, power points and switchboard upgrades for homeowners and landlords in your area.

  • A$6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Electrical subcontractor for builders

Wire new builds and renovations as the go-to sparky for local builders and renovators.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
A building contractor supervising workers on a house renovation site.

Home renovation and extension contractor

Manage kitchen, bathroom and extension projects for homeowners, coordinating the subbies and trades on site.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Small works builder: decks, pergolas and refits

Take on smaller building jobs like decks, pergolas and bathroom refits, doing much of the work yourself with a few subbies.

  • A$4k-18k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Diver in helmet inspecting a submerged structure underwater.

Underwater inspection and repair contractor

Inspect, clean and repair jetties, moorings and pipes underwater for marinas, councils and water operators.

  • A$25k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

Hull cleaning and boat dive services

Clean hulls and propellers, and check anodes and moorings for boat owners and marinas, working from a ute or small boat.

  • A$10k-45k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
A builder assembling a wooden pergola over a patio in a back garden.

Solo carport and pergola builder

Build timber or steel carports and pergolas for homeowners, working on your own or with one helper.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Carport and pergola kit installer

Install ready-made carport and pergola kits for homeowners, with less design work and lower setup costs.

  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Locksmith fitting a new lock on a residential front door.

Mobile locksmith

Drive to homes and businesses to open locked doors, change locks and fit security hardware.

  • A$4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Rental property rekeying and lock upgrades

Rekey and upgrade locks between tenancies for agents and landlords, on planned scheduled jobs.

  • A$3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Stacked vehicle and industrial batteries in a wholesale warehouse.

Battery trade supply round by van

Buy batteries in bulk and deliver them to local garages, tradies and shops on a regular round.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Shelves of paint tins and varnish cans in a trade supply warehouse.

Mobile paint and finishing supplies van

Stock a van with paints, stains and sundries and deliver to painters and joiners on site.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Tradesperson fitting a new bath and tiles in a bathroom renovation.

Bathroom renovator for homeowners

Strip out and refit bathrooms for homeowners, managing tiling, fittings and trades from quote to handover.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Ideas such as home EV charger installer, mobile saw and blade sharpening and bathroom and renovation tiler show the range, from licensed electrical work to simpler mobile services. Before you choose, check which licences, insurance and qualifications your state or territory requires for the work. Then think about vehicle and tool costs, how far you are willing to travel, and whether your income will come from direct customers or subcontracting to builders. Start with the idea that fits skills you already have.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to start a mobile trades business in Australia?

It depends on the trade and the state or territory. Electrical, plumbing, gas and some building work usually need a licence or registration. Check with your local licensing authority before quoting for any job, and confirm what your insurer expects.

What insurance should I look into for working on customers' sites?

Common things to check include public liability, tools and equipment cover, vehicle insurance and work-related injury or workers compensation requirements. Some builders and clients ask for proof of cover before you start, so ask an insurance broker what suits your trade.

Should I take on direct customers or subcontract to builders?

Subcontracting can bring steady work with less marketing, but you may deal with payment terms and tighter pricing. Direct customers can pay better but need quoting, advertising and follow-up. Check contract terms carefully and consider how each option affects your cash flow and tax obligations.