Trades business ideas with startup costs over $20,000

205 ideas

These 206 trades ideas suit people who have savings, equipment financing or a business partner, and who want to build something with real assets behind it. Some are vehicle-based, such as soil delivery with a dump truck or a mobile forklift service and parts.

Swipe through these ideas →

1k to 5k5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Carpenter fitting timber deck boards into a frame in a garden.

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
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
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 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.

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.

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

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
A locksmith cutting a copy of a house key on a machine at a counter.

Key cutting counter or kiosk

Cut house, padlock and mailbox key copies for walk-in customers from a small shop or mall kiosk.

  • C$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Carpenter building a wooden garden shed in a back garden.

Prefab shed workshop with delivery and install

Build sheds and small outbuildings in a workshop, then deliver and set them up on the customer's property.

  • C$10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Fastener delivery to job sites and workshops

Stock a van with fasteners and deliver bulk orders to builders and workshops so they skip the trip to the supplier.

  • C$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Floor sander removing old finish from wooden floorboards in an empty room.

Hardwood floor sanding and refinishing

Bring your own sanders to homes and small businesses and restore worn hardwood floors.

  • C$8k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Electrician mounting a wall-mounted electric vehicle charging point on a house driveway.

Home EV charger installer

Fit Level 2 chargers in garages and driveways for homeowners, as a licensed electrician.

  • C$6k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about

Workplace and condo EV charging installer

Install multi-unit charging for condos, workplaces and fleets with a small licensed team.

  • C$20k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Blacksmith hammering heated iron on an anvil in a forge.

Architectural ironwork workshop

Make gates, railings and decorative ironwork for homes and builders from a rented workshop.

  • C$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Builder renovating a kitchen with new cabinets in a house under refurbishment.

Whole-home remodelling company

Lead a small crew handling basements, extensions and full-room renovations for homeowners.

  • C$15k-75k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
Boxes of LED light bulbs stacked on warehouse shelves.

Lighting supply unit with trade counter

Run a small unit stocking bulbs, fixtures and lamps for local electricians, contractors and shops.

  • C$25k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Workers laying block paving on a new driveway outside a house.

Interlocking paver patios, walkways and driveways

Build patios, walkways and driveways from interlocking pavers for homeowners with a small crew in the warmer months.

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

Asphalt driveway paving and repair crew

Pave and resurface residential driveways and small lots using rented or small-scale equipment and hot mix from a local plant.

  • C$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Others are skilled installation work, like a home EV charger installer. Before choosing, work out what the full startup bill includes: vehicles, tools, insurance, stock and any training. Then check which licences, trade certifications or permits your province or municipality may require for the work. Compare how quickly each idea could earn money, since larger outlays usually need steady customers early. Look closely at whether you would sell to homeowners, contractors or businesses, and whether you can reach them locally.

More ideas

Questions

How can I fund a trades business that costs over $20,000 to start?

Common options include personal savings, equipment financing, a business loan or a partner. Check what lenders ask for, such as a business plan or a down payment. Also ask whether any federal or provincial programs for small businesses apply to your situation.

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

It often depends on the trade and the province. Electrical, gas and some other work may need certified tradespeople or permits. Check with your provincial regulator and your municipality before buying equipment, and confirm what insurance your clients may expect.

Should I buy new or used equipment for a higher-cost trades startup?

Compare the purchase price against reliability, warranty, servicing costs and how soon the equipment earns income. Used items can lower upfront costs but may need repairs. Get an independent inspection where possible, and check financing and insurance terms for each option.