Trades business ideas you can run from your own premises

95 ideas

These 95 ideas suit people with a trade background, or the patience to build one, who want a fixed base instead of working out of a van. Some are workshops where you make or restore things, such as an aluminum fabrication and welding workshop or a period features restoration workshop.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 stacking solar panels and inverter boxes in an equipment warehouse.

Local solar supply store for installers and homeowners

Run a small unit stocking panels, inverters and racking for local installers and homeowners, with same-day pickup and local advice.

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

Craftsperson cutting and polishing a gemstone on a lapidary wheel in a workshop.

Gem cutting studio for jewellers

Run a rented workshop cutting faceted and custom stones for jewellers and private clients.

C$8k-35k
Part-time
Own premises

Jeweller working on a gold ring at a bench with magnifying lamp and small tools.

Goldsmith workshop and small studio shop

Run a small shopfront or studio unit making, repairing and selling handmade gold and silver jewellery.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Welder joining aluminium parts with a TIG torch and sparks.

Aluminum fabrication and welding workshop

Rent a small unit and build or repair aluminum parts for local trades and manufacturers.

C$10k-45k
Full-time
Own premises

Stacked timber framing lumber in a yard ready for builders.

Small framing lumber yard

Stock framing lumber and components in a small yard and sell to local builders, joiners and self-builders.

C$60k-250k
Full-time
Own premises

A technician repairing piano action and strings inside an open piano.

Piano repair and restoration workshop

Run a workshop for bigger piano jobs: action rebuilds, restringing, refinishing and casework repair.

C$5k-25k
Part-time
Own premises

Stacks of copper and plastic pipes and fittings in a supply warehouse.

Small pipe and fittings trade counter

Open a small shop or unit stocking pipe and fittings for local plumbers, builders and keen DIYers.

C$40k-150k
Full-time
Own premises

Large reels of copper electrical cable stored in a supplier warehouse.

Local wire and cable supply counter

Stock common wire and cable in a small unit and sell cut-to-length to local electricians and contractors.

C$40k-150k
Full-time
Own premises

A jeweller repairs a ring clasp at a small workshop bench.

Jewellery and watch repair shop

Run a small street-front or mall-unit workshop repairing jewellery and watches for walk-in customers and local shops.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Technician repairing an antique clock mechanism in a workshop.

Clock and watch repair shop

Open a small street-front repair shop for walk-in watch batteries, clock repairs and full restorations.

C$35k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Custom copperwork workshop

Rent a small unit and make copper range hoods, sinks, roof details and vessels for homeowners, builders and breweries.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Craftsperson shaping a wooden chair leg at a workbench in a workshop.

Woodworking shop for kitchens and built-ins

Rent a small unit to build custom cabinetry, built-ins and fittings for homes and businesses.

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

A mason carving lettering into a granite headstone in a workshop.

Headstone design and carving workshop

Design, engrave and supply headstones for families, funeral homes and cemeteries from a small workshop.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Rows of red fire extinguishers and fire blankets stocked in a supply warehouse.

Local fire safety supply counter and delivery

Stock extinguishers and fire safety items in a small unit and supply local businesses, installers and maintenance firms.

C$10k-45k
Full-time
Own premises

Workers assembling a timber log home frame on a building site.

Custom handcrafted log home builder

Design and hand-build custom log homes from your own yard, then assemble them on site.

C$30k-150k
Full-time
Own premises

About these ideas

Others are counters that supply local contractors, like a heating trade counter and boiler supply shop. Before anything else, think about the space. Check zoning for your address, lease terms, ventilation, power needs, loading access and insurance. Then work out your opening stock or equipment costs in CAD, and talk to a few local tradespeople about what they struggle to source or get done nearby. A clear local need matters more than a perfect location.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before leasing a workshop or shop for a trades business?

Check that municipal zoning allows your type of work at the address, and whether noise, fumes or deliveries could be restricted. Review the lease length, who pays for repairs, power capacity, parking and loading access, and confirm what your insurer requires.

Do I need licences or certifications to start a trades business in Canada?

It depends on the trade and the province or territory. Some work, such as electrical or gas, may require certified tradespeople or permits, and selling certain products may have rules too. Check with your provincial regulator and your municipality before you commit.

Is a trade counter or a workshop easier to start?

It depends on your skills and cash. A counter usually needs more money tied up in stock and strong supplier relationships. A workshop needs equipment and skilled labour. Compare startup costs, local demand and how much hands-on work you want to do.