Trades Business Ideas You Can Start in Canada

352 ideas

This page brings together 355 trades business ideas, from hands-on contracting to supplying the people who do the work. Some suit someone with a ticket or years on the tools, such as a plumbing subcontractor for renovators and builders or an exterior painting and staining crew.

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

Carpenter fitting timber deck boards into a frame in a garden.

Part-time deck builder

Build and repair small timber decks for homeowners on weekends and evenings during the warm months.

C$2.5k-10k
Side hustle
Out and about

Full-time design-build deck company

Design and build timber and composite decks for homeowners with a small crew and a truck.

C$15k-50k
Full-time
Out and about

Hands fitting a replacement air filter into an engine or unit.

Local air filter supply for garages and buildings

Deliver replacement filters to garages, fleets and building managers on a regular schedule.

C$3k-15k
Part-time
Out and about

A construction crew working on the exterior of a house under renovation.

Home renovation contractor

Take on kitchen, bathroom, basement and repair jobs for homeowners, using trusted subtrades for specialist work.

C$15k-60k
Part-time
Out and about

Small building firm with a crew

Run a small crew taking on extensions, residential builds and light commercial fit-outs under contract.

C$15k-70k
Full-time
Own premises

Technician repairing an air compressor unit in a workshop.

Mobile air compressor repair and servicing

Drive to workshops, farms and job sites to service and repair air compressors on the spot.

C$8k-30k
Part-time
Out and about

Air compressor repair workshop

Run a small unit where customers bring or send compressors for repair, rebuilds and servicing.

C$6k-25k
Full-time
Own premises

Home garage compressor repair (side hustle)

Fix and service small portable compressors in your garage for contractors and hobby workshops.

C$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

Pallets of cement bags being unloaded from a delivery lorry at a building site.

Cement and masonry supply yard

Stock bagged cement, sand, gravel and masonry supplies for local builders and homeowners, with pickup or delivery.

C$25k-120k
Full-time
Own premises

Cement and mortar delivery service

Deliver bagged cement and masonry materials straight to job sites, with no shop and low overheads.

C$20k-60k
Part-time
Out and about

Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground equipment dealer (home office)

Sell play structures from established brands to schools, municipalities and daycares, and hire local crews to install them.

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

Playground supply and install crew

Supply and fit play equipment for schools, councils and daycares, working directly with customers and as a subcontractor for dealers.

C$8k-40k
Part-time
Out and about

A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Home leather repair workshop

Fix bags, jackets and boots from a corner of your home, taking jobs by drop-off, mail or local pick-up.

C$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

Leather repair and restoration shop

Open a small street-front repair counter for bags, shoes and jackets, with walk-in trade and room to grow.

C$10k-40k
Full-time
Own premises

A bricklayer laying bricks with mortar on a wall at a building site.

Brick repair and chimney restoration

Fix cracked brickwork, repoint mortar and rebuild chimneys for homeowners in your area.

C$3k-12k
Part-time
Out and about

Subcontract bricklaying crew for builders

Lay brick on new builds and extensions as a subcontractor with a small crew.

C$8k-35k
Full-time
Out and about

Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Mobile welder for gates, railings and frames

Build small metal pieces in a rented bay or shared shop, then install them on site for homeowners and builders.

C$5k-25k
Part-time
Out and about

Small metal fabrication workshop

Run a rented unit making gates, railings and steel frames for builders and property owners.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Arborist working at height in a tree using ropes and a harness.

Tree trimming and removal crew

Climb, prune and safely take down trees for homeowners and property managers.

C$8k-35k
Full-time
Out and about

Roof and eavestrough upkeep

Clear eavestroughs, moss and roof snow, and do light roof access jobs for local homes.

C$1.5k-7k
Side hustle
Out and about

Water and transfer pumps displayed on shelves in a supply warehouse.

Online pump supplier for contractors and farms

Sell water, transfer and garden pumps online, shipped from suppliers or a small home stock.

C$1k-5k
Side hustle
Online

Local pump supply shop with trade counter

Stock pumps and parts in a small unit so local contractors and farms can collect same day.

C$25k-80k
Full-time
Own premises

Gas engineer checking a wall-mounted boiler in a kitchen.

Mobile gas fitter for homes and landlords

Install, repair and service furnaces, water heaters and gas lines for homeowners and landlords in your area.

C$8k-40k
Full-time
Out and about

Subcontract gas fitter for builders and HVAC firms

Take gas installs and hookups from renovators, builders and heating companies, without chasing homeowners yourself.

C$4k-20k
Part-time
Out and about

About these ideas

Others are closer to product and stock, like a lighting supply unit with a trade counter or an online water pump shop. Start by asking whether you want to work on site, run a crew, or sell to tradespeople. Then check which licences, certifications and insurance your province or municipality expects, how much equipment or inventory you need up front, and where your first few customers will come from. Compare startup cost and workload before you narrow the list.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to start a trades business in Canada?

Often, but it depends on the trade and the province or territory. Plumbing, electrical and gas work commonly involve certification. Check with your provincial trade authority and your municipality about licences, permits and any journeyperson requirements before taking jobs.

What insurance should I look into for a trades business?

Check general liability coverage, tools and equipment cover, and vehicle insurance if you use a van or truck. If you hire workers, ask your provincial workers' compensation board whether registration is required. Clients and general contractors may also ask for proof of coverage.

Can I start a trades business without a lot of money?

Some ideas need mainly your skills and a basic tool kit, while others, like a showroom, yard or pool building, need premises and stock. Compare startup costs on each idea, and check whether you can begin as a subcontractor to build a client base.