Business Ideas You Can Start for Up to £20,000

1196 ideas

A budget of up to £20,000 opens up businesses that need more than a laptop: a van and tools, a small studio, or a stock of goods. This page lists 1,1196 ideas, from mobile gas boiler repair and servicing to a pottery studio supplying shops, cafés and galleries and an online motorcycle parts and kit shop.

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A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Small metal workshop for gates and fittings

Rent a small unit and make gates, railings, brackets and repairs to order for local customers.

  • £4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
8,779 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years
A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Mobile welding and metal repairs

Take a portable welder to customers and repair gates, railings, trailers and fittings on site.

  • £3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
8,779 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years
Upholsterer re-covering an armchair in a repair workshop.

Furniture restoration and upholstery workshop

Restore, re-glue, refinish and re-upholster furniture in your own workshop or unit.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
1,955 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
Jars of dried herbs and teas on shelves in a traditional remedy shop.

Online East Asian herbs and teas store

Sell teas, herbs and wellness products from East Asian traditions through your own website, run from home.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Boxes of desk accessories and stationery stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Home-based desk accessories wholesaler

Buy desk accessories and stationery in bulk and sell on to shops and small offices from a spare room or garage.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
729 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Families picking fresh berries from rows on a farm field.

Small pick-your-own fruit or veg plot

Grow strawberries, raspberries or veg on a few rented acres and let local families pick their own in season.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
562 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
Pallets of boxed computer components and hardware stacked in a large warehouse.

Home-based refurbished kit trade supplier

Buy used or surplus computers and parts in bulk, then sell to local repair shops and resellers.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,389 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Silversmith shaping a silver ring with hand tools at a bench.

Silver repairs and commissions studio

Repair, resize and remake silver jewellery and objects for local customers from a small rented studio or unit.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
3,801 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
Students working quietly at shared desks in a bright study centre or library.

Local study centre with tuition

Rent a small unit and offer quiet study space and small-group tuition to local students.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
41,442 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of plain and printed paper bags stacked on supplier shelves.

Local paper bag supplier for businesses

Supply printed and plain paper bags to shops, restaurants and event organisers in your area, with local delivery.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
182 UK companies in this field, 20% registered in the last 2 years
A worker buffing a metal component on a polishing wheel.

Metal polishing workshop

Polish and buff wheels, fittings and metal parts for trade and private customers from a small unit.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
1,263 UK companies in this field, 15% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of paper, pens and folders in a stationery store.

Office supplies delivered to local businesses

Supply stationery, paper and consumables to small local firms from home, with an easy order form and next-day local delivery.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
A farrier fits a hot horseshoe to a horse's hoof at a forge.

Mobile farrier shoeing at the yard

Shape and fit horseshoes at livery yards and paddocks, working from a forge in your van.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
A farrier fits a hot horseshoe to a horse's hoof at a forge.

Forge workshop making custom horseshoes

Hand-make specialist and corrective shoes in your own forge for farriers, vets and owners.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Financial planner showing a retirement savings plan to a smiling couple.

Financial planner under an adviser network

Advise clients on savings, retirement and protection under an FCA-authorised network, so you skip the cost of setting up your own firm.

  • £2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • From home
9,891 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
Removal workers carrying boxes and furniture into a house on a moving day.

Man and van home removals

Move flats, small homes and single items with a hired or owned van, mostly on a local patch.

  • £1k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,340 UK companies in this field, 46% registered in the last 2 years
A consultant reviewing building plans and documents with a construction site behind.

Building consultant for small developers

Guide small developers and landlords through budgets, contractors and compliance on larger building projects, on site and in meetings.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
38,095 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of motorcycle parts, helmets and gear in a shop.

Online motorcycle parts and kit shop

Sell parts, accessories and riding gear to riders online, from a spare room or garage.

  • £1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Wheelchairs and walking aids displayed for customers in a supplier showroom.

Online daily living aids shop

Sell grab rails, dressing aids, kitchen helpers and other small daily living products to disabled people and carers online.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Rack of formal dresses and tuxedos ready for hire in a shop.

Home-based formal wear hire by appointment

Hire out prom dresses, suits and occasion wear from a spare room, with fittings by appointment.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Small Christmas tree farm

Grow Christmas trees on a few rented acres and sell them direct to local families each December.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,780 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Native tree and hedging grower

Grow native trees and hedging plants on a small plot and sell to landscapers, farms and planting projects.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,780 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
Event planners setting up a conference hall with tables and stage for guests.

Small corporate events agency

Run a small team that plans conferences and company events for regular business clients, from a small office.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of alarm panels and CCTV cameras in a security equipment shop.

Home alarm and CCTV installer

Supply and fit burglar alarms, video doorbells and CCTV for homeowners and small shops in your area.

  • £2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
10,030 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

They suit people with a trade or craft, those leaving employment with some savings, and anyone happy to put money into equipment or stock. Before you choose, work out what you would spend over the first three months, not just at launch, including insurance, stock, vehicle costs and your own living expenses. Then check whether the work needs qualifications or registration, and test local demand before committing your savings.

More ideas

Questions

How do I know if £20,000 is enough to start a business?

Add up equipment, stock, insurance, any vehicle or premises costs, and several months of running costs and personal expenses. Get real quotes rather than guesses, and keep a cash reserve. Many ideas can start for less, so compare the leanest realistic setup with your budget.

Do I need qualifications or registration for trade businesses?

Some trades are regulated in the UK. Gas work, for example, generally requires specific registration, and other trades may expect approved training or insurance. Check with the relevant regulator, trade body and your local council before spending money on tools or marketing.

How can I fund a startup costing up to £20,000?

Common routes include personal savings, a Start Up Loan, equipment finance or help from family. Check the interest, repayments and any personal guarantees, and consider speaking to a free business adviser or an accountant. It is wise to test demand before borrowing.