Trade business ideas you can run from your own premises
90 ideas
These 90 trade business ideas all work from a workshop, unit, yard or shop of your own, rather than from a van or a customer's home. They suit people who already have a skill in making, fixing or supplying, and who want a fixed base for tools, stock and customers.
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
Welding and fabrication workshop
Rent a small unit to make and repair metalwork for local trade customers, from gates to custom brackets.
- £6k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Wheelchair repair and servicing workshop
Run a small unit where wheelchairs and mobility aids are repaired, serviced and refurbished for users and care providers.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Memorial mason with a small workshop
Design, letter and fit headstones and memorials for local families, funeral directors and cemeteries.
- £12k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Blacksmith workshop for gates and ironwork
Rent a small unit and make gates, railings, balustrades and repairs to order for homes, builders and businesses.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Instrument repair shop with a counter
Run a small repair shop where players drop in, and take on school and music shop work too.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Flooring shop with fitting service
Run a small flooring shop or showroom, supply materials and fit them with your own team.
- £10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke log cabin and log home builder
Design and build custom log cabins and log homes from timber in your own workshop, then assemble them on site.
- £20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
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
Small metal fabrication workshop
Rent a small unit to make and install bespoke gates, railings, frames and steel supports for builders and owners.
- £10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small trade counter for paints and finishes
Run a local trade counter in a small unit, stocking paints and finishes for decorators and joiners.
- £15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Jewellery and watch repair workshop
Run a small workshop or shop counter fixing jewellery and watches for walk-in customers and local trade.
- £5k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Piano repair and restoration workshop
Take on bigger piano repairs and restorations in your own workshop, from action rebuilds to casework.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Goldsmith studio with bespoke commissions
Run a small workshop making bespoke rings and fine jewellery, plus repairs and resizing for walk-in customers.
- £8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Gemstone cutting studio for the trade
Rent a small workshop and cut stones full time for jewellers, designers and private clients.
- £5k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Lighting trade counter and warehouse
Stock a unit with popular lighting ranges and sell to local electricians, builders and shops, with delivery or counter collection.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Machine repair and rebuild workshop
Run a small unit where customers bring motors, pumps and machine parts to be repaired, rebuilt or refurbished.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Electric motor repair and rewind workshop
Run a small unit that repairs, rewinds and tests motors for local farms, factories and workshops.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Stone worktop and feature cutting workshop
Cut and finish stone worktops, hearths and window sills to order from a small rented workshop.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Sheet metal workshop: ductwork and fabrication
Run a small unit making ductwork, flashings and custom metal parts for builders, installers and local firms.
- £8k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Trade glass cutting counter in a small unit
Run a small workshop unit supplying cut-to-size glass and mirrors to glaziers, builders and walk-in customers.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bespoke joinery workshop
Make doors, staircases and fitted furniture in your own workshop, then fit them for customers.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local fencing supplies yard
Run a small yard selling fence panels, posts and fixings to homeowners and local fencing contractors.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Air compressor repair workshop
Run a small unit where customers bring compressors for repair, rebuilds and servicing, with parts sold on top.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Examples include a small metal fabrication workshop, a custom shed and summerhouse maker and a local glass shop with a cutting workshop. Before you choose, think about space and location: how much room you need, whether the lease or ownership terms allow the work, and how noise, dust or deliveries might affect neighbours. Check what insurance, planning use class and equipment costs apply. Rent and business rates can be a large part of your overheads, so work out what you must earn each month to cover the building before you commit.
More ideas
- Local fire alarm trade counter
- Machinery repair and servicing workshop
- Scale repair and calibration workshop
- Furniture restoration workshop for dealers and auctions
- Glass and mirror workshop with counter
- Fibreglass repair workshop
- Glass repair workshop for trade and shops
- Hydraulic cylinder and pump repair workshop
- Bespoke joinery from a small workshop
- Bespoke carpentry from a workshop
- Local glass shop with cutting workshop
- Tool repair and service shop
- Upholstery workshop for homes and venues
- Small engine repair shop in a rented unit
- Blasting workshop with a cabinet and booth
- Worktop supply and fit service
- Luggage repair shop or unit
- Local solar trade supplier with stock
- Local cable trade counter and delivery
- Walk-in engraving counter
- Key cutting kiosk or small shop
- Soil yard with screening
- Door showroom and trade counter
- Workshop-built gazebos and pergolas
- Local pump supplier with a small trade counter
- Custom shed and summerhouse maker
- Local fire safety trade supplier
- Small timber frame supply yard
- Glass block trade supplier with a unit
- Local cement and aggregates supplier
- Hose and fittings trade counter
- Aluminium fabrication workshop
- Small structural steel fabrication workshop
- Workshop-built pergolas and carports
- Lock and key cutting shop
- Air tools trade counter in a small unit
- Granite and stone slab yard
- Ceiling trade counter with stock and delivery
- Local trade counter for locks and hardware
- Local hot water systems trade counter
- Garage door trade counter and parts store
- Tool wholesaler with a small trade counter
- Local electrical trade counter and delivery
- Local pump supplier for farms and installers
- Fire protection trade counter and stockroom
- Local insulation trade counter
- Solar hot water trade supplier with a small unit
- Plywood and board trade counter
- Plasterboard trade counter
- Cut-to-size glass supplier from a small unit
- Refurbished commercial fridge supplier
- Independent electrical trade counter
- Used forklift sales and hire from a small yard
- Air con trade counter and stockist
- Fibreglass trade counter and supplies unit
- Window and glazing trade counter
- Steel fabrication and fitting workshop
- Ladder and access equipment trade counter
- Retaining wall supplies yard with trade counter
- Plasterboard and plaster trade counter
- Stone workshop: cut and fit marble worktops
- Small tool and equipment hire depot
- Generator shop with workshop
- Local stone and landscaping yard
- Custom shop fixtures made in your own workshop
- Railing and gate maker with a workshop
Questions
Do I need planning permission to run a trade business from my own premises?
It depends on the property and the type of work. Check the permitted use class with your local council, and whether noise, fumes or deliveries could need extra consent. Ask before signing a lease or buying a unit.
What costs should I check before taking on a workshop or unit?
Look at rent or mortgage, business rates, utilities, insurance, equipment and security. Also check lease length, repair responsibilities and any service charges. Compare the total monthly cost with the sales you realistically expect before committing.
Is it better to start from home or rent premises for a trade business?
Starting small can lower risk, but some trades need space, heavy machinery or customer access. Check whether your home's use, insurance and neighbours allow it. If not, a short, flexible rental may be a safer first step.