Home services business ideas you can start for up to £5,000
54 ideas
These 54 home services ideas all have a startup cost of up to £5,000, so you can begin with modest equipment rather than premises or big stock orders. They suit practical people who like solving problems for local households, landlords and small workplaces.
Mobile furniture repair and touch-up
Fix scratches, loose joints and damaged finishes on furniture at customers' homes and businesses.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home cameras, alarms and smart lock fitter
Fit video doorbells, cameras, wireless alarms and better locks for homeowners in your area.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Regular garden maintenance round
Mow, weed and tidy gardens for local homeowners and landlords on a weekly or fortnightly visit.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekend garden tidy-ups and clear-outs
Take on one-off jobs like overgrown clear-ups, hedge cutting and borders around your day job.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based watch repairer
Fix battery, strap and servicing jobs at a home workbench, taking work by post, online and from local jewellers.
- £500-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop mower repair
Repair and service mowers and garden tools in a garage or shed workshop, with drop-off and collection.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based carpet trade supplier (no stock)
Supply carpet and underlay to local fitters and shops, ordering from mills and distributors only when they place an order.
- £1k-5k
- Part-time
- From home
Lawn mowing round
Mow and edge lawns for local homeowners on a regular weekly or fortnightly round.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile knife and tool sharpening
Visit restaurants, salons and trade customers to sharpen knives, scissors and tools on the spot.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home workshop sharpening by drop-off or post
Sharpen knives, scissors and tools in a small home workshop for local drop-offs and postal customers.
- £200-1.2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Fountain and water feature maintenance service
Keep fountains and ponds clean and running for homes, offices and shops on a regular visit schedule.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based garden designer
Draw garden layouts and planting plans for homeowners from a home office, with site visits as needed.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Smart home installer
Fit and set up smart lighting, heating controls and cameras in homes near you.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Garden lighting design service
Plan outdoor lighting schemes for gardens and building exteriors, then hand the install to a qualified electrician.
- £600-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Locksmith for landlords and letting agents
Offer planned lock changes and callouts for rental properties, fitted in around another job.
- £800-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Awning repairs and replacement covers
Repair, re-cover and service existing awnings for homes and cafés, with no big stock to hold.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bird proofing for homes
Fit spikes, netting and solar panel mesh to keep pigeons and gulls away from homes and small properties.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home workshop appliance repairer
Fix kettles, toasters, vacuums and food mixers on your bench at home for people who would rather repair than replace.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Subcontract asbestos surveyor
Carry out asbestos surveys and sampling on a freelance basis for established surveying firms.
- £1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local home pest control
Treat wasps, ants, mice and other pests in local homes, paid per call-out.
- £1k-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based small appliance repair
Fix kettles, vacuums, lamps and small appliances from a home workbench for people who would rather repair than replace.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based curtain and blind maker
Make made-to-measure curtains and blinds from a spare room or garage for local homeowners and landlords.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Carpet fitter for flooring shops
Fit carpets on a self-employed basis for local flooring retailers who sell the carpet and need someone to lay it.
- £800-4k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home workshop appliance repair and resale
Repair washers and dryers in your garage or workshop, taking in units and reselling reconditioned ones.
- £1k-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Options range from hands-on trades such as gutter clearing for local homes or a mobile blinds measure and fit service, to lighter-touch ideas such as a home-based garden designer. Before choosing, think about which skills you already have, what training or qualifications customers may expect, and what insurance you might need. Also consider how far you are willing to travel, how much of your week you can spend on jobs, and whether work at height or in other people's homes feels right for you. Start by shortlisting two or three ideas and pricing the tools, van access and insurance each would need.
More ideas
- Home sewing machine repair bench
- Mobile chimney sweep
- Office and shop plant care rounds
- Plant styling for workplaces, run from home
- Park home letting agent
- Neighbourhood home help service
- Home bench microwave repairer
- Garden maintenance round
- Freelance home cinema installer
- Gutter clearing for local homes
- Home-based vacuum cleaner repairs
- Home workshop appliance repairs
- Home lamp repair and rewiring
- Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
- Online appliance spare parts shop
- Skylight leak repair and reseal
- Mobile curtain and blind consultant
- Mobile sewing machine repairer
- Landlord property maintenance handyman
- Vastu consultant with home and site visits
- Online bathroom supplies shop
- Local handyman for home repairs
- Home staging styling consultant
- Mobile blinds measure and fit service
- Handyman for landlords and letting agents
- Online house sitter matching service
- Local managed house sitting agency
- Feng shui home consultant
- Feng shui for shops and offices
- Water softener servicing and salt rounds
Questions
What should I check before starting a home services business in the UK?
Check whether your chosen work needs particular qualifications, registrations or safety training, such as for gas, electrics or work at height. Also look at public liability insurance, local council rules on waste, and whether your existing vehicle and tools are suitable.
Can I run a home services business on a budget of up to £5,000?
Many ideas can start within that budget if you already own a vehicle and basic tools. Price up equipment, insurance, marketing and any training. Leave a small cushion for early expenses, and consider whether buying second-hand kit would still meet safety and quality expectations.
How do I find my first customers for a local home service?
Start with neighbours, local community groups and online listings, then ask satisfied customers for reviews. Check the rules on advertising, pricing information and customer data. Clear quotes, photos of completed work and reliable communication usually help build trust in a local area.