Trades business ideas you can start from home in Canada
45 ideas
These 45 ideas let you work in the trades without renting a shop or yard. Some are hands-on, such as a home-based furniture upholsterer, a home workshop sharpening service or bench jewellery repair.
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
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
Home forge blacksmith for custom pieces
Forge hooks, railings, fire tools and decorative pieces to order from a small forge at your property.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based light bulb and lamp supplier
Stock popular LED bulbs and lamps at home and supply electricians, shops and property managers.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home gemstone cutting workshop
Cut and polish gemstones and cabochons from home for jewellers, collectors and custom orders.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio goldsmith: repairs and custom pieces
Repair, resize and make gold and silver jewellery from a small home bench for local customers and shops.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Framing lumber supplier, order and deliver
Quote framing packages for small builders, order from wholesalers and deliver to site without holding a yard.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Home bench jewellery repair
Fix rings, chains and clasps from a home bench, taking work from local jewellers, pawn shops and walk-in customers.
- C$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop clock and watch repair
Repair and restore mantel clocks, wall clocks and watches from a bench at home, one job at a time.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop coppersmith
Make and repair copper pieces like planters, mugs, lanterns and weathervanes from a garage or shed workshop.
- C$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Furniture repair and restoration
Fix, refinish and restore wooden furniture and fittings for local homes and shops.
- C$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home jewellery engraving studio
Engrave names, dates and messages onto rings, pendants and watches from a small home workspace.
- C$800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Renovation project manager
Run larger renovations for owners from a home office, hiring and coordinating trades on site.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Custom furniture maker from a home workshop
Build made-to-measure tables, shelving and built-in units in a garage or backyard workshop for local homeowners.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop instrument repair
Fix guitars, violins or band instruments from a home workshop for local players, teachers and schools.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Rekeying and security upgrades for landlords
Offer booked rekeying and hardware upgrades for landlords and movers, without chasing emergency lockouts.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
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
Home-based lighting supplier to electricians
Sell lighting to local electricians and contractors, using supplier drop-shipping and a small stock of fast sellers.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online fire alarm equipment reseller
Sell listed fire alarm panels, detectors and sounders to installers and facility managers from home, shipped direct from suppliers.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Home workshop power tool repair
Repair and service drills, saws and sanders from a garage or basement workshop for local trades and home users.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Antique furniture restorer (home workshop)
Repair and refinish antique chairs, tables and cabinets for local owners and dealers from a garage or basement workshop.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Order-based water heater supplier
Sell water heaters to local plumbers and heating contractors, ordered from suppliers and delivered to site, without a big stockroom.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Home luggage and bag repair workshop
Fix zips, wheels, handles and linings on suitcases and bags from a workshop at home.
- C$1k-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based ceiling tile and panel supplier
Take orders for ceiling tiles and panels from local contractors and have them delivered straight to site.
- C$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others are office-led, such as a granite slab broker for fabricators and builders or a renovation project manager. They suit people with a trade background, a practical skill they want to turn into income, or the organizing ability to coordinate suppliers and clients. Before you choose, think about space, noise, dust, storage and deliveries, because a garage or spare room has limits. Check your municipality's home-business rules, insurance needs and any licensing or certification your trade may require. Start by working out which tools or stock you must buy up front.
More ideas
- Garden and landscape stone cutting
- Retaining wall block reseller (no yard)
- Home workshop engine repair
- Online locks and fittings trade supplier
- Home-based commercial refrigerator dealer
- Home-based drywall supply broker
- Home workshop sharpening service
- Stone supplier selling direct from quarries
- Granite slab broker for fabricators and builders
- Furniture and door stripping from your garage
- Home-based joinery for trim, doors and repairs
- Home-based furniture upholsterer
- Custom shelving and built-ins maker-fitter
- Custom mirror and glass cutting from a workshop
- Niche tool supplier run from home
- Online boiler and heating parts supplier
- Used trade equipment reseller with local delivery
- Home-based vinyl window and door dealer
- Order-based fire protection parts supplier
- Home-based scale reseller for small businesses
- Home-based window dealer for builders and renovators
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a trades business from home in Canada?
It depends on the trade, your province and your municipality. Some trades need certification or a licence, while others do not. Check with your provincial trades authority and local licensing office before taking paying customers.
Can I run a workshop business from my house or garage?
Often possible, but check your municipality's zoning and home-business rules. Look at limits on noise, customer visits, signage, storage and deliveries. Also confirm what your landlord, condo board or strata allows if you rent or share a building.
What insurance should I look into for a home-based trades business?
Ask your insurer whether your home policy covers business equipment, stock and client visits, since many do not. Compare commercial general liability and tools or equipment cover, and check whether your work calls for professional liability.