Transport business ideas you can start from home in Canada
18 ideas
These 18 transport business ideas can be run from a home base, so you don't need to rent an office or depot to get going. Some are desk-based coordination roles, such as a home-based freight coordinator for small businesses or a home-based car transport broker, where you arrange moves and let carriers do the driving.
Home-based flight and travel booking advisor
Book flights and trips for friends, family and your community from home, working under an established host agency.
- C$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop bike repair
Repair and service bikes from your garage or shed, with drop-off and pick-up by appointment.
- C$800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used boat buy-and-resell
Buy small used boats and trailers, tidy them up and sell them on to local buyers.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Campervan hire from your driveway
Rent out one or two campervans or small motorhomes to holidaymakers during the camping season.
- C$20k-90k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small car fleet rented through apps
Buy a few vehicles and rent them out by the day through car-sharing apps, run from home.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small van hire fleet with 1 to 3 vans
Rent out a few cargo vans by the day or week to tradespeople and people moving house.
- C$25k-90k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small trailer hire from home
Rent out a few utility and cargo trailers by the day or weekend to neighbours and local tradespeople.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based freight coordinator for small businesses
Plan and book deliveries for small businesses using carriers you subcontract, working from a home office.
- C$500-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Winter boat storage on your own land
Rent out space on a rural lot or farm to store a handful of boats and trailers over winter.
- C$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based freight agent
Book shipments for local businesses through an established forwarder's network, working from your home office.
- C$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Niche freight forwarder with your own brand
Run your own small forwarding company for one niche, such as cross-border shipping for small businesses.
- C$5k-25k
- Full-time
- From home
Group day-trip organizer (hired coach)
Plan and sell day trips for clubs and groups, hiring a licensed charter coach instead of buying a vehicle.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based freight coordinator
Book trucks and carriers for local manufacturers and wholesalers, working from a home office.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- From home
Used horse trailer buy-and-sell from home
Find, tidy up and resell used horse trailers to riders and small farms from your own property.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based car transport broker
Match car owners, dealers and snowbirds with trusted carriers moving vehicles across Canada and earn a fee on each job.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Import and export vehicle shipping agent
Help buyers bring cars in from the US or overseas, or send them abroad, by coordinating carriers, ports and paperwork.
- C$2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Online coach ticket booking for groups and students
Book intercity coach tickets for a community you know, such as students or newcomers, and earn commission.
- C$300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small motorcycle rental fleet
Rent a few well-kept motorcycles by the day or weekend, booked online and handed over from a garage or storage unit.
- C$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others use space you already have, like small trailer hire from home or winter boat storage on your own land. They suit people with organizing skills, local knowledge or a spare driveway or yard. Before you pick one, check your municipal zoning and home-business rules, what insurance you would need, and whether any licences or permits apply to your province. Also think about how much cash you must tie up in vehicles or equipment, and how you will find your first customers.
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a transport business from home in Canada?
It depends on the idea and your province. Brokering or coordinating moves may need different registration than operating vehicles. Check with your provincial transport authority, your municipality and an insurer before you take any bookings or carry anything.
Can I store trailers, boats or vans at my home?
Possibly, but check your municipal zoning bylaws, any condo or HOA rules, and your property insurance. Some areas limit commercial vehicles, customer visits or outdoor storage. Ask your local planning office what applies to your address.
Which transport ideas need the least money to start?
Coordination and booking ideas, such as freight coordination or group travel booking, usually need less capital than owning vehicles or boats. Still, check software costs, business insurance and any liability exposure if a carrier or supplier lets a customer down.