Home service business ideas you can start for up to C$20,000
63 ideas
This page lists 63 home service ideas with startup costs up to C$20,000. They suit practical people who like solving problems for homeowners, landlords and property managers, and who would rather build up work through local reputation than invest in a shopfront.
Patio and deck awning installer
Sell and fit retractable awnings for decks, patios and windows, working from home with a manufacturer's range.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bark and mulch delivery by trailer
Buy bark mulch in bulk and deliver it by truck and trailer to local gardeners and small landscapers.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Landscape designer with project management
Design gardens and patios, then coordinate trades and suppliers to build them for homeowners and small businesses.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home-run carpet supplier with low stock
Supply flooring shops and fitters from sample books, ordering from mills and distributors with little stock of your own.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Siding repair and small cladding jobs
Fix storm-damaged, cracked or loose siding and re-clad small areas on homes, working mostly on your own.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile hot tub service and water care
Visit homeowners to balance water, clean filters, winterize and repair hot tubs, and sell chemicals and covers.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Residential garden maintenance route
Look after lawns, beds and hedges for homeowners on a regular schedule through the growing season.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile radiator repair and replacement service
Visit homes and rental properties to supply, repair and swap radiators, working with a licensed heating trade.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Restored cast-iron radiators sold online
Source old radiators, clean, test and repaint them in a garage or workshop, then sell them locally and online.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Junk and debris removal with a pickup or trailer
Haul away unwanted items, yard waste and household rubbish for homeowners and landlords in your area.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online flooring supplier (drop-ship)
Sell wood and laminate flooring to homeowners and installers online, with the supplier shipping direct to the job.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile home and business alarm installer
Sell, fit and service intruder alarms at customers' properties, with no shop needed.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Residential lawn irrigation installer
Install in-ground sprinkler systems for homeowners, then earn repeat work from spring start-ups and fall winterizing.
- C$4k-18k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Irrigation start-up and winterizing service
Offer spring start-ups, repairs and fall blowouts for existing sprinkler systems, with low kit costs and repeat customers.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Solo kitchen installer
Install new cabinets, countertops and fittings in homeowners' kitchens, working on your own or with a helper.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Landscape lighting design and install
Design and fit outdoor lighting for gardens, patios and house exteriors, so homes look good and feel safe after dark.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Smart home camera and lock installer
Fit video doorbells, cameras and smart locks in local homes, and set up the apps so owners can use them.
- C$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home workshop shoe and boot repair
Repair shoes and boots from a home workshop, with local drop-off and mail-in service.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Residential lawn mowing route
Mow and trim lawns weekly for homeowners on a few nearby streets during the growing season.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Handyman for small landlords
Fix and maintain rental units for local landlords who need reliable repairs without hiring staff.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile lawn mower repair and tune-ups
Service and fix mowers and garden tools at customers' homes, so they skip the shop drop-off.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bathroom and kitchen tiling contractor
Tile floors, shower surrounds and backsplashes for homeowners planning renovations.
- C$2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile emergency locksmith
Drive to locked-out homes and businesses, get people back inside and fit new locks.
- C$4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
After-hours lockout and rekey locksmith
Take evening and weekend lockout calls and simple rekeys alongside another job.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Options range from a handyman for small landlords or gutter cleaning with a vacuum pole system to landscape lighting design and install, or a home help agency for seniors and busy households. Before you choose, think about the tools and vehicle you need, how much of your week you can give to jobs, and whether your area has steady demand across the seasons. Also check whether your trade needs a licence, certification or specific insurance in your province or municipality.
More ideas
- Mobile knife and tool sharpening
- Mobile made-to-measure blinds and shutters
- Staircase installer and renovator
- Home energy advisor
- Lawn and garden maintenance route
- Mobile appliance repair technician
- Home cinema installer
- Basement crack repair and sealing
- Carpet fitter for flooring stores and builders
- Office plant care route
- Subcontract window and door installer
- Wood stove sales without a showroom
- Gutter cleaning with vacuum pole system
- Mobile washer and dryer repair
- Bird deterrent installation service
- Mobile commercial microwave repair
- Online furnace parts and filters store
- Sunroom installer for dealers
- Garage-based lawn equipment rental
- Home-based made-to-measure curtain maker
- Mobile fridge and freezer repair
- Mobile chimney sweep
- Smoke and soot cleaning subcontractor
- Stucco repair and patching specialist
- Home lighting design consultant
- Mobile countertop supply and fit
- Home help agency for seniors and busy households
- Skylight repair and leak fixing service
- Subcontract drying technician for restoration firms
- Park home rental management
- Home-based tool rental with delivery
- Full-service house sitting agency
- Asbestos testing for homes and renovations
- Mobile chimney sweep and inspection
- Patio enclosure design and sales dealer
- Mobile sewing machine repair
- Mobile home pest control
- Home inspector for home buyers
- Pre-listing and landlord condition inspections
Questions
Do I need a licence to start a home service business in Canada?
It depends on the work and where you live. Trades such as electrical, gas or some renovation work are often regulated provincially, while general services may only need a municipal business licence. Check with your province, city and an insurer before taking jobs.
What should I budget for beyond tools and equipment?
Look at vehicle costs, liability insurance, workers' compensation requirements, marketing, accounting and a cash buffer for slow weeks. Some ideas, like a trailer-based delivery or a home help agency, may also need extra vehicles, screening or software.
How do I decide between a solo service and one that hires staff?
Consider how much work you want to do yourself, how reliable demand is, and whether you are ready to manage people. A solo idea usually keeps overheads lower, while staffing can add payroll, training, insurance and supervision responsibilities to check first.