Tech service business ideas you can start from home

30 ideas

These 30 ideas let you run a tech service business from a spare room, garage or kitchen table. Some are hands-on, like a home camera and lens repair bench or home-based data recovery with mail-in and local clients.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises Online

Person managing online store orders on a laptop at a desk.

Online store setup for local businesses

Build and launch Shopify or WooCommerce stores for local shops and makers who want to sell online.

C$300-2k
Side hustle
From home

Developers working together on code at computers in a modern office.

Custom software for local businesses

Build booking tools, dashboards and simple apps for small businesses that have outgrown spreadsheets.

C$300-3k
Side hustle
From home

Technician repairing a professional video camera with small screwdrivers on a bench.

Home-based video camera repair bench

Repair and service camcorders and cinema cameras for local filmmakers and owners from a home workshop, with mail-in jobs.

C$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

Engineer checking rows of server racks while managing database systems in a data centre.

Database clean-up and upkeep for small businesses

Tidy, de-duplicate and maintain customer and stock records for local businesses, working from home.

C$300-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Managed database design and support service

Design, host and look after databases for local firms on a monthly support plan.

C$1.5k-8k
Part-time
From home

Technician repairing a camera lens with small tools on a workbench.

Home camera and lens repair bench

Fix and service cameras and lenses from a home workbench, taking jobs locally and by mail.

C$1.5k-7k
Side hustle
From home

Robotic arm assembling parts on a modern automated factory production line.

Freelance PLC and controls programmer

Program and fix control systems for factories and plants, working from home with visits to site for start-up.

C$3k-12k
Part-time
From home

A technician replacing a smartphone screen with small precision tools at a workbench.

Home-based phone repair bench

Repair phones from a bench at home, taking drop-offs by appointment and mail-in jobs.

C$500-2k
Side hustle
From home

Technician repairing a damaged hard drive on a workbench in a data recovery lab.

Home-based data recovery (mail-in and local)

Recover files from failed drives, memory cards and phones using software tools, working from a home workspace.

C$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

A technician repairing a laptop on a workbench with tools and circuit boards.

Home workbench computer repair

Repair laptops and desktops from a home workbench, with drop-off, pick-up or mailed-in devices.

C$400-2k
Side hustle
From home

Technician repairing a phone circuit board at a small repair shop bench.

Home-based electronics repair bench

Fix phones, tablets, laptops and small gadgets from a home workbench, with drop-off or mail-in jobs.

C$800-3.5k
Side hustle
From home

Technician replacing a cracked phone screen at a repair bench.

Home workshop screen repair by mail or drop-off

Fix phone, tablet and laptop screens from a tidy home workbench, with drop-off or mail-in.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Home typewriter repair bench

Clean, fix and tune typewriters from a home workbench, with local drop-off and mail-in customers.

C$500-3k
Side hustle
From home

Freelance online store builder

Set up Shopify or WooCommerce shops for local retailers who want to sell online.

C$300-3k
Side hustle
From home

Home workshop AV repair bench

Fix speakers, amps, microphones and projectors from a home workbench for local bands, schools and households.

C$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

Home bench VCR repair

Fix and service VCRs from a home workbench for local households, collectors and small businesses.

C$300-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

Home-based ink refills with office delivery

Refill and supply ink and toner from home, then deliver to small offices and households nearby.

C$1.5k-7k
Side hustle
From home

Home-based fax-for-you service

Send and receive faxes for people and small firms who can't use email for certain documents, all from a home desk.

C$300-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

Managed hosting on your own cloud servers

Run hosting on rented cloud servers, with security, backups and support for a niche of Canadian customers.

C$1.5k-6k
Part-time
From home

Microscope and telescope repair workshop

Repair, clean and realign microscopes, telescopes and binoculars from a home workshop, with local drop-off and mail-in jobs.

C$2k-9k
Side hustle
From home

Home-based hi-fi and stereo repair

Repair and restore amps, receivers and turntables for audio fans from a bench at home.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Roommate matching for students and newcomers

Offer a personal, vetted matching service for international students or new arrivals who need a roommate before or soon after landing.

C$500-2.5k
Part-time
From home

Home workshop printer repair

Fix printers dropped off or mailed to your home workshop, and refurbish used ones to resell.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Freelance GIS mapping and spatial analysis

Make custom maps and analyze location data for municipalities, businesses and property clients, paid per project.

C$500-4k
Side hustle
From home

About these ideas

Others are knowledge-based, such as freelance GIS mapping and spatial analysis or remote AV design and advice. They suit people who already have a technical skill, enjoy solving problems and are comfortable working alone or by phone and email. Before you commit, think about space, tools and parts costs, how customers will find you and how you will handle shipping or drop-offs. Also check whether your municipality has rules for home-based businesses, and whether you need business insurance. Start with the idea that best matches skills you already have.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to run a tech service business from home in Canada?

Requirements vary by province and municipality. Check your local home-based business or zoning rules, whether a business licence is needed, and if your trade has any certification. Also look into registering your business name and any tax obligations such as GST/HST.

What should I check about insurance when working from home?

Ask your insurer whether your home policy covers business equipment, customer property and liability. Repair and data recovery work involves other people's devices and information, so you may want separate business or professional liability cover. Get the details in writing before accepting customer items.

How do I choose between a repair bench and a freelance service?

Consider your skills, budget and preferred way of working. Repair benches usually need tools, parts, storage and a plan for handling customer items. Freelance services such as GIS or controls programming often need fewer physical supplies but may rely more on referrals, a portfolio and strong client communication.