Business services ideas you can run out and about in Canada
86 ideas
These 86 business services ideas suit people who would rather be on the move than behind a desk: meeting clients, visiting sites or working a route. Some are people-focused, like a residential real estate agent or a small business group benefits broker.
Mobile notary who comes to you
Witness signatures and certify documents at clients' homes, workplaces or care homes, evenings and weekends included.
- C$600-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Construction cost and compliance consultant
Advise small developers and builders on budgets, permits and code compliance for their projects.
- C$2k-10k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Coin lockers for local venues
Install a small bank of pay-to-use lockers in a gym, pool, arena or trailhead and share the income.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Luggage lockers for tourist spots
Run larger locker banks near stations, attractions, beaches or ski hills where visitors need short-term storage.
- C$10k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile abrasives supplier for local trades
Deliver sanding discs, grinding wheels and abrasives to body shops, fabricators and builders on a regular route.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
In-person customer interviews and street surveys
Collect face-to-face feedback for local shops, venues and councils that want to hear from real customers.
- C$300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Cleaning supplies delivery to local businesses
Buy cleaning products in bulk and deliver them to cleaning firms, shops and offices in your area.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Event and short-contract security guards
Supply licensed guards for events, construction sites and one-off jobs, starting with a small local team.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Contract security for local premises and sites
Win ongoing contracts to guard shops, warehouses and building sites with a small team of guards.
- C$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile estate and insurance jewellery appraiser
Travel to homes, lawyers' offices and bank vaults to value jewellery for estates and insurers.
- C$4k-18k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Tenant-finding service for landlords
Fill rental vacancies for landlords: market the unit, show it, screen applicants and prepare the lease for a one-off fee.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile scrap metal collector
Collect scrap from homes, shops and job sites with a truck or trailer and sell it on to a scrapyard.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Independent field insurance adjuster
Inspect damaged homes, cars or businesses and settle claims for insurers and adjusting firms on a per-file basis.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Public adjuster helping claimants
Help homeowners and small businesses document losses and negotiate fair settlements with their insurer.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Visiting bookkeeper for local shops and trades
Visit owner-run businesses each month to sort receipts, update the books and explain the numbers.
- C$800-3.5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Business broker working with an established firm
Join an existing brokerage as an associate and earn a share of commission on the business sales you bring in.
- C$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local business networking group
Run a regular meeting where local business owners swap referrals, funded by member fees.
- C$300-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile coffee machine reseller and repair service
Sell, install and repair commercial coffee machines for cafés and offices, working from home and on the road.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Community life insurance broker
Serve one local or cultural community in person, with home visits, workshops and referrals.
- C$2.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Full-time real estate agent
Get licensed and help local buyers and sellers with homes, earning commission on each completed sale.
- C$4k-12k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Part-time real estate agent
Keep your day job, get licensed and take on a few evening and weekend clients from your own network.
- C$3.5k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Office leasing agent
Match businesses with office space and earn a commission when a lease is signed.
- C$3k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile security patrol service
Drive set routes checking small businesses, yards and properties after hours, and report back to clients.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Event and venue security crew
Supply licensed guards for festivals, weddings, bars and private events, using a small pool of trained part-timers.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others are hands-on, like a mobile estate and insurance jewellery appraiser or a forklift hire with you as operator. Start by checking whether the work needs a licence, registration or insurance in your province, since rules for real estate, insurance and claims work often differ across Canada. Then think about vehicle and travel costs, how you will find your first clients, and whether you can build up gradually beside a current job. Compare start-up costs and your own experience before narrowing the list.
More ideas
- Residential real estate agent
- Rental and leasing agent
- Forklift hire with you as operator
- Commission-only partnership and referral dealmaker
- Independent yacht broker
- Monthly job costing for local trades and kitchens
- Records storage with pickup and delivery
- Measure-up and as-built drawing service
- Local paper delivery supplier
- Small business energy savings advisor
- Solo process server for law firms
- Mailing machine dealer for small offices
- Workplace and small business mediator
- Bottled water delivery route
- Development and land-use consultant for owners
- Full-time food broker for chains and distributors
- Mobile water filter supply and replacement
- Retail leasing agent (under a brokerage)
- Local shredder sales and servicing for offices
- Local office space agency for growing firms
- Group benefits advisor for small businesses
- Cinema and venue AV supply and install team
- On-site document shredding with a portable shredder
- Independent polygraph examiner
- Commercial real estate agent
- Local laminating equipment dealer
- Field investigator for insurers and law firms
- Freelance court and discovery reporter
- Independent printer and copier reseller
- Printer servicing and toner supply round
- On-site estate and farm auctioneer
- Coffee vending machines: small side route
- Coffee vending route with a small stockroom
- Independent fire safety consultant
- Small business group benefits broker
- Local toner and ink delivery for offices
- Shop and restaurant lighting consultant
- Independent boat surveyor for pleasure craft
- Part-time boat survey work beside a marine job
- Office bottled water delivery route
- Bottle-free filtered water cooler rental
- Local ATM route you load and service yourself
- Curriculum and learning consultant for schools
- Independent manufacturer's sales rep
- Printer and copier rental for small offices
- Arcade machine placement route
- Industrial property agent (licensed, under a brokerage)
- Independent medical supplies sales agent
- Asbestos surveys for commercial buildings
- Short-term rental management agency
- Laser measuring and levelling tools supplier
- On-site software training for businesses
- Community interpreter for appointments and meetings
- Estate contents and personal property valuer
- Estate home appraiser for probate
- Mobile fingerprinting service
- Pest control for local businesses
- Mobile safety supplies for job sites and workshops
- Personal concierge and errand runner
- Part-time on-site HR for growing firms
- Independent consultant on retainer
- Licensed financial adviser (investments or insurance)
Questions
Do I need a licence to start a business services idea in Canada?
It depends on the work and the province. Real estate, insurance, benefits brokering and claims adjusting are often regulated, so check with your provincial regulator before taking clients. Consulting or delivery work may need only a business registration and local permits.
What costs should I plan for in a mobile service business?
Look at vehicle costs, fuel, parking, insurance, tools or equipment, and any licence or association fees. Ask your insurer whether you need commercial auto or professional liability cover. Also allow for unpaid travel time when pricing your services.
Can I start one of these ideas while keeping my current job?
Often yes, but check your employment contract for conflict-of-interest or non-compete clauses and ask whether a regulator limits part-time work. Ideas like boat survey work or appraisals can grow gradually, so test demand on evenings and weekends first.