Tech service business ideas you can start for up to £5,000
47 ideas
These 48 tech service ideas suit people who are good at fixing, setting up or explaining technology and want to turn that into paid work without big upfront costs. Some are skills-led and need little more than a laptop, such as a freelance remote IT consultant or freelance database tidy-up and upkeep.
Home camera and lens repair bench
Repair and service cameras and lenses from a home workbench, with customers posting items to you.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Computer repair at people's homes
Visit homes and small offices to fix slow, broken or virus-hit laptops and PCs.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile phone repairer who comes to you
Fix cracked screens and tired batteries at people's homes, workplaces or market stalls, with no shop rent.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home and small office computer security
Remove malware and set up protection for households and tiny offices, at their place or by remote session.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small business security audits and setup
Review small firms' systems, fix weak spots and set up protection, working mostly remotely on set-price or retainer deals.
- £500-3.5k
- Part-time
- Online
Home CCTV installer
Fit and set up security cameras and video doorbells for homeowners and landlords in your area.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based electronics repair bench
Fix phones, tablets, laptops and small gadgets from a home workbench, with customers posting or dropping off devices.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile phone and tablet screen repair
Replace cracked phone and tablet screens at customers' homes, offices or a meeting point.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home workshop screen repair by post or drop-off
Repair phone, tablet and laptop screens from a tidy home workspace, with drop-off or postal customers.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Freelance database tidy-up and upkeep
Clean, organise and maintain customer, stock or sales records for small businesses, working from your own desk.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile computer repair and help
Visit homes and small offices to fix, clean up and upgrade laptops and PCs.
- £300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small business IT support
Look after the computers, email and backups of local small firms on a monthly contract.
- £500-3k
- Part-time
- From home
Online shop setup and support freelancer
Build and look after online shops for small businesses on Shopify, WooCommerce or similar, from your own desk.
- £200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Custom software for small businesses
Build tailored apps, websites with logins and internal tools for local firms that have outgrown spreadsheets.
- £300-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Niche subscription software product
Build and sell a focused online tool or app to a specific group of customers, paid for by monthly subscription.
- £200-3k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home wifi and network installer
Fix patchy wifi and set up reliable home networks for households and home workers.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based data recovery (software)
Recover photos and files from faulty drives, USB sticks and phones using specialist software, with devices sent by post.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online fibre optic parts reseller
Sell fibre cable, connectors and tools to installers online, with most orders sent direct from your suppliers.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home bench video camera repair
Fix and service camcorders and mirrorless video cameras from a tidy home workbench, with jobs sent in by post.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile phone repair service
Fix cracked screens, batteries and charging ports at people's homes or workplaces.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based phone repair bench
Repair phones from a tidy workbench at home, with customers posting or dropping off devices.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online shop for DIY security kits
Sell easy-fit cameras, alarms and video doorbells online with friendly advice for first-time buyers.
- £500-4k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online video conferencing kit shop for small firms
Sell ready-to-use video meeting bundles online, with remote setup help for home and small offices.
- £500-5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home typewriter repair workshop
Clean, fix and service manual and electric typewriters for writers and collectors from a bench at home.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others need a bench, tools and some stock, like a home workshop printer repair business or a home wifi and network installer. Before you choose, think about who will pay you: households, or small businesses with ongoing needs like small business IT support. Also consider how you will build trust, since customers are handing over devices or access to their data. Work out your likely tools, insurance and travel costs first, then see which ideas fit your budget and the hours you can offer.
More ideas
- Mobile typewriter servicing for offices
- Mobile TV repair visits
- Home workshop TV and screen repair
- Online card machine reseller for small sellers
- Freelance GIS and mapping specialist
- Camera and video gear repair bench
- Online ink refill and cartridge seller
- Home hi-fi and stereo repair workshop
- Online GPS tracker and navigation shop
- Microscope and telescope repair from home
- IT support for local small businesses
- Freelance remote IT consultant
- Freelance online shop builder
- Freelance AV consultant for offices and venues
- Mobile printer repair and servicing
- Home workshop printer repair
- VCR repair from a home workshop
- Freelance online advertising manager
- Niche flatmate listings website
- Drone photography and video for property
- Home workshop AV repair
- Property and planning map service
- Printer repair and refurbishing workshop
Questions
What can I realistically start in tech services with up to £5,000?
Most service-based ideas fit this budget because you are selling your skills rather than products. Check what equipment, software licences, tools and insurance you need, and whether you will work from home, remotely or travel to customers.
Do I need qualifications to start an IT or repair business in the UK?
Many tech services have no set qualification, but customers often look for proof of skill. Check whether any certifications help your chosen niche, and whether your work involves electrical safety, installation standards or client data that brings extra responsibilities.
What should I check about data and customer devices?
If you handle customer devices, accounts or business data, check your data protection duties, including whether you need to register with the Information Commissioner's Office. Also look at professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and use clear written terms.