Home service business ideas you can start for under £1,000
9 ideas
Home services are one of the more accessible ways to start a business, because many of them need your time, reliability and a few basic supplies rather than premises or stock. The 9 ideas here all have startup costs of up to £1,000.
Pop-up shoe shine stand
Set up a shoe shine stand at events, offices and weddings, and give shoes a smart finish while people wait.
- £150-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Shoe shine and clean service from home
Collect scuffed shoes, restore them at home and return them gleaming, for professionals and special occasions.
- £100-600
- Side hustle
- From home
Home decluttering and organising
Help households sort, declutter and set up storage that works, one room or one project at a time.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local snow and ice clearing for homes
Clear driveways, paths and small yards by hand when snow falls, and add grounds work in other seasons.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online Vastu consultant
Review floor plans and advise on layout by video call for UK homeowners and buyers, wherever they live.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home help for older neighbours
Offer regular visits for shopping, tidying and errands to older or less mobile people near you.
- £100-600
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Paid house and pet sitter
Stay in clients' homes while they are away, looking after the house, pets and post for a fee per night.
- £50-400
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home and pet check-in visits
Pop into homes once or twice a day while owners are away to feed pets, check the house and take in post.
- £100-600
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Household helper for busy families
Take care of the odds and ends for busy households: tidying, laundry, shopping and errands.
- £100-500
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
They include home decluttering and organising, paid house and pet sitter, and home help for older neighbours. These ideas suit people who are comfortable working in other people's homes, enjoy practical problem solving and can build trust quickly. Before you pick one, think about how far you are willing to travel, what hours you can offer and whether you need insurance or background checks for the kind of work you want to do. Also consider how you will find your first customers, as local word of mouth and community groups often matter more than advertising.
Questions
Do I need insurance to start a home service business in the UK?
It is worth checking. Working in customers' homes or looking after their pets and property can create risks, so look into public liability insurance and any cover specific to your service. Some customers may also ask to see proof of cover.
Do I need a DBS check for home services?
It depends on the work. If you will be helping older or vulnerable people, customers may expect a DBS check, and in some cases it may be required. Check the current guidance and ask how to apply as a self-employed person.
How do I register and pay tax on a small home service business?
Self-employed people in the UK usually need to check whether they must register with HMRC and report their income through Self Assessment. Look at the trading allowance rules and keep clear records of income and costs from day one.