Manufacturing business ideas you can start for up to £20,000
67 ideas
These 68 manufacturing ideas suit people who like making, fixing or supplying physical products and want to begin without a factory or big investment. Some are hands-on, such as a mobile welding and repair service or a home workshop knife maker.
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
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
Garage workshop for one-off and repair parts
Turn small metal and plastic parts on a bench lathe and mill for hobbyists, repairers and local firms.
- £4k-20k
- Side hustle
- From home
Contract-brewed craft beer brand
Create your own beer brand and have it brewed on an established brewery's kit, without buying your own equipment.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home studio ceramics maker
Make handmade mugs, bowls and decorative pieces in small batches and sell them online and at craft fairs.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop clock and watch repair
Service and repair watches and clocks from a bench at home, for local owners, collectors and jewellers.
- £1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile longcase and wall clock repair
Visit homes, churches and businesses to repair, set up and service large clocks that are hard to move.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Woodturning workshop for trade orders
Rent a small unit and turn table legs, spindles and bowls for furniture makers, joiners and shops.
- £5k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Stone carving commissions from a small workshop
Carve house signs, garden pieces and memorial details to order from a rented unit or garden workshop.
- £5k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Sail repair and alteration service
Repair torn sails, covers and spray hoods for local boat owners from a workshop at home or a small unit.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online copper sheet, pipe and offcuts shop
Sell cut-to-size copper sheet, pipe and offcuts online to makers, roofers and plumbers.
- £1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Full-time willow craft maker for shops and commissions
Run a small workshop making willow baskets and garden pieces for shops, gardens and private commissions.
- £2k-8k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small-batch sewing for local brands
Sew short runs of garments and soft goods for independent designers and small labels.
- £2.5k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Made-to-order furniture from a home workshop
Build tables, shelves and bespoke pieces to order from a garage or shed workshop.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Microbrand watch maker
Design your own watch, have parts made by suppliers, assemble and sell direct to collectors online.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
One-off obsolete part maker from a garage workshop
Use a manual lathe and mill to remake worn or discontinued machine parts for local businesses.
- £5k-20k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop knife maker
Grind and finish handmade kitchen, outdoor and collector knives in a garage or shed, and sell them online.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Custom instrument maker from a home workshop
Build ukuleles, guitars or other instruments to order from a garage or shed, selling directly to players.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small-scale machining from a garage workshop
Turn and mill small parts and repairs in your own garage or outbuilding alongside another job.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop prototype machinist
Make small precision parts and prototypes in a garage workshop alongside a day job.
- £4k-20k
- Side hustle
- From home
Leather workshop with small range and custom orders
Rent a small workshop to make a range of leather bags and accessories for shops, customers and commissions.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile ironwork repairs and fitting
Repair, adapt and install gates, railings and brackets at customers' homes using a van and portable kit.
- £2.5k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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
Kiln-formed glass bowls and tableware studio
Make fused and slumped glass bowls, plates and coasters in a small kiln at home and sell to shops, cafés and online.
- £1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others lean towards supply and ordering, like an online metal shop for makers and small workshops. Before you choose, think about where you will work and whether your space, insurance and neighbours allow it. Check what equipment you really need first, as machinery and materials often take most of a £20,000 budget. It also helps to test demand with a few paying customers before buying stock or tools. Look at your existing skills, and be realistic about how many hours you can give.
More ideas
- Metal polishing workshop
- Home-based clothing export agent
- Home workshop furniture maker
- Home studio lingerie maker
- Trailer refurbishment and modifications
- Home laser cutting and engraving studio
- Online laser cutting by upload and quote
- Small-scale acrylic fabrication from a garage workshop
- Small-batch skincare and body products
- Mobile boat repair and fit-out
- Home studio potter selling handmade tableware
- Pottery studio supplying shops, cafés and galleries
- Online metal shop for makers and small workshops
- Short-run gasket maker from a garage
- Small-parts powder coating from a garage
- Steel supplier without a yard (broker model)
- Piano refurbishing and resale
- Prototype and short-run mould maker
- Small-batch activewear maker for fitness brands
- Garage machining for prototypes and repairs
- Small-batch knitwear maker at home
- Online leather supplier for makers
- Design-led machine builder, build partly outsourced
- Print finishing and lamination unit
- Small workshop making fabric goods for brands
- Mobile welding and repair service
- Mobile welding and on-site steel repairs
- Used barrel and cask broker
- Marble tile and slab supplier from home
- Online mould-making supplies shop
- Local trade supplier to moulding workshops
- Food equipment reseller for small producers
- Mobile food machinery repair and servicing
- Mobile food machine servicing and repair
- Bespoke and eco coffin maker
- Industrial vacuum dealer for workshops and contractors
- Mobile industrial vacuum service and repair
- Home-based aluminium frames supplier
- Industrial blade reseller working from home
- Local industrial tools and machinery supplier
- Exhibition stand and display maker
- Timber fireplace surrounds from a home workshop
- Order-led natural stone supplier
Questions
Can I run a manufacturing business from a garage or home workshop?
Often people do, but check a few things first: your lease or mortgage terms, whether planning permission is needed, noise and fumes, and your home insurance. Your local council can tell you what applies to your property and activity.
What should I check before buying equipment with a £20,000 budget?
Compare new and used machinery, and work out running costs, training needs and space. Check whether any tools need safety checks or specific insurance. It can be sensible to outsource some steps at first, rather than buying everything outright.
Do I need insurance or certifications to sell products I make?
It depends on what you make. Check whether public liability or product liability insurance is advisable, and whether your products must meet safety or labelling rules. Trading Standards and trade bodies are useful places to confirm requirements before you sell.