Trades business ideas you can start for up to £20,000

168 ideas

This page brings together 169 trades business ideas with start-up costs up to £20,000. They suit skilled tradespeople going self-employed, and practical people ready to turn a craft into an income.

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1k to 5kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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
A welder in a helmet and gloves joining steel with bright sparks flying.

Mobile welder for repairs and fabrication

Take a van-mounted welding kit to farms, builders and garages to repair gates, trailers and machinery on site.

  • £4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
1,709 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
A worker installing a wooden garden fence panel between posts.

Garden fencing and gates installer

Fit and repair garden fences, panels and gates for homeowners and landlords in your area.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
37,269 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Mobile wheelchair and mobility aid repairs

Repair and service wheelchairs and scooters at people's homes and care settings from a well-stocked van.

  • £2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
1,521 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years
A mason carving lettering into a granite headstone in a workshop.

Mobile memorial repair and inscription service

Visit cemeteries to clean, re-letter, repair and add inscriptions to existing headstones.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,275 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
A technician repairing piano action and strings inside an open piano.

Mobile piano repair technician

Visit homes, schools and churches to fix sticking keys, broken strings and worn piano actions.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,795 UK companies in this field, 14% registered in the last 2 years
Construction workers and tradespeople working together on a building site.

Home extension and renovation contractor

Win and manage extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments for homeowners, using trusted subcontractors for each trade.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
39,961 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Small building works and repairs firm

Take on smaller jobs like garden walls, repairs and finishing work for landlords and homeowners, starting with a tradesperson or two.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
39,961 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Locksmith fitting a new lock on a residential front door.

Mobile locksmith

Get people back into their homes and fit better locks, travelling to customers in a van or car.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
10,030 UK companies in this field, 26% registered in the last 2 years
Engineer servicing a fire extinguisher and checking a wall-mounted alarm in an office.

Mobile fire extinguisher servicing

Visit shops, offices and pubs each year to inspect, service and replace fire extinguishers.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
37,269 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Fire alarm installation and servicing

Fit and maintain fire alarm systems in small commercial and residential buildings, alone or with a small team.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
37,269 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Blacksmith hammering heated iron on an anvil in a forge.

Home forge for hand-made metalwork

Forge hand-made items like fire tools, hooks and decorative pieces in a garage or outbuilding and sell them locally and online.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
8,779 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years
A building contractor supervising workers on a house renovation site.

Renovation project manager

Run home renovations for owners and bring in trusted tradespeople for each stage of the job.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
92,967 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
Arborist in a harness pruning branches from a tall tree.

Self-employed tree climber and pruner

Start lean as a qualified climber, taking pruning and dismantling work from established tree firms and local clients.

  • £2.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
23,217 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Tradesperson laying flooring planks across a room in a renovated home.

Solo flooring fitter

Fit carpet, vinyl, laminate or wood flooring in homes and rentals as a self-employed fitter.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
11,547 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Workers assembling a timber log home frame on a building site.

Log cabin kit installer

Build log cabins and garden buildings from kits on customers' own land, working with a small crew.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
92,967 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
A construction crew working on the exterior of a house under renovation.

Small building firm for home projects

Run a small team doing extensions, renovations and repairs for homeowners in your area.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
92,967 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Coppersmith workshop: bespoke copper pieces

Make and repair copper items such as pans, stills, brewing vessels and decorative pieces from a small workshop.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
8,779 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years
Electrician mounting a wall-mounted electric vehicle charging point on a house driveway.

Home EV charger installer

Fit and commission home charging points for local drivers, as a qualified electrician.

  • £2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
56,313 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
Installer fixing a new window into a home's exterior wall opening.

Self-employed window and door fitter

Fit windows and doors for installers and builders as a self-employed fitter, using your own tools and van.

  • £2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
22,443 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Mobile welder for gates, railings and repairs

Repair and fit gates, railings and small steel items at customers' homes using a van and portable kit.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,906 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
A cabinetmaker shaping wood on a workbench to build a fitted furniture unit.

Bespoke furniture maker from a garage workshop

Make one-off tables, shelves and cabinets to order from a garage or shed workshop.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
6,546 UK companies in this field, 20% registered in the last 2 years

Fitted wardrobes and alcove units maker

Measure, build and fit made-to-measure wardrobes, shelving and storage in people's homes.

  • £4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,546 UK companies in this field, 20% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of paint tins and varnish cans in a trade supply warehouse.

Mobile paint and finishes supplier to the trades

Deliver paint, varnish and finishing products straight to decorators and joiners on site, from a van.

  • £3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,599 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Options range from hands-on services such as a mobile joiner for doors, stairs and fitted timber, or a mobile glass and mirror fitter, to product-led ideas like an online air tools shop for garages and trades. A van, tools and insurance often take the biggest share of your budget, so work out what you already own before comparing ideas. Think about who your first customers will be: homeowners, builders or other trades. Also check what qualifications, accreditations or registrations your chosen work may need, and how much of your week will be spent quoting and chasing payments rather than working.

More ideas

Questions

How far does £20,000 go when starting a trades business?

It depends on the trade. Costs to check include a suitable van, tools and equipment, insurance, workshop or storage space, and materials bought before customers pay. Many service businesses can start for less if you already own tools, leaving a buffer for slow months.

Do I need qualifications or registration to start a trade business in the UK?

It varies by trade. Some work, such as gas or electrical installation, may require specific competence or registration, while others do not. Check the relevant trade body and government guidance, and ask your insurer what evidence of training they expect.

What insurance should I look at before taking on trade work?

Common things to check are public liability, employers' liability if you take on staff, and cover for tools, vehicles and any stock. Some clients, such as builders or commercial customers, may ask for proof of cover before hiring you.