Business services ideas you can start from home

128 ideas

These 130 business services ideas are built around helping other businesses and households with work they would rather not handle themselves. They suit people with professional experience, a good network or a talent for organizing, who want to work from a spare room instead of renting an office.

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Under 1k 1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises Online

Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Home-based envelope reseller

Sell envelopes in bulk to local printers and offices, with orders shipped straight from a wholesaler.

$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year

Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Home-based answering service for local businesses

Answer calls and book appointments for local trades and small offices that can't pick up the phone.

$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

3,106 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.8% in a year

Accountant reviewing tax forms and using a calculator at a desk.

Home-based tax return preparer

Prepare personal and simple self-employed tax returns for neighbors and local workers from your home office.

$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

47,699 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.7% in a year

Two people shaking hands over documents during a company sale agreement.

Business broker with an established firm

Help local owners sell their businesses under a brokerage's name, training and listing network. Paid by commission.

$5k-30k
Part-time
From home

163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year

Independent business brokerage in one niche

Run your own small brokerage selling one type of local business, such as landscaping, HVAC or restaurants.

$3k-15k
Full-time
From home

163,894 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year

Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Solo executive recruiter in one niche

Find senior hires for employers in an industry you know well and earn a fee when they accept an offer.

$1k-6k
Part-time
From home

5,897 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.5% in a year

Large technical blueprints being printed and laid out on a table.

Home-based plan printing with delivery

Print large plan sets for local builders and architects from a home workspace and deliver them to job sites.

$4k-15k
Side hustle
From home

15,140 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year

Person typing information from paper documents into a computer at an office desk.

Freelance data entry from home

Type or enter information from documents into spreadsheets and databases for small businesses, paid by the hour or project.

$0-800
Side hustle
From home

4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year

A small team planning sales growth and client partnerships around a table.

Freelance business development consultant

Help small companies find new customers and partners, paid by a monthly retainer or a share of deals won.

$300-2k
Side hustle
From home

52,258 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.5% in a year

Outsourced business development agency

Run a small team that handles outreach, lead generation and partnerships for several clients on retainer.

$2k-10k
Full-time
From home

52,258 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.5% in a year

Accounting team reviewing financial reports together in a modern office.

Home-based bookkeeping and tax practice

Handle books, payroll and tax returns for local small businesses and individuals from your home office.

$800-4k
Side hustle
From home

55,052 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year

Staff packing and labelling parcels at a busy mailing counter.

Home-based packing and shipping for sellers

Pack and post orders from home for online sellers and crafters who have no time for the post office.

$300-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

7,614 US businesses with employees in this field, +35.9% in a year

A worker printing large colourful promotional banners in a print shop.

Home-based banner maker

Design and produce vinyl banners for local events, shops and parties from a spare room or garage.

$500-5k
Side hustle
From home

5,895 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.2% in a year

Consultant reviewing budget charts with a client on a laptop in an office.

Small business cash flow and budget consultant

Help local owners get on top of budgets, cash flow and funding plans, working from home.

$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

14,568 US businesses with employees in this field, +11.9% in a year

Staff at desks processing data on computers in a shared administrative office.

Back-office support for small businesses

Take over data entry, inbox admin and invoicing follow-up for small companies on a monthly contract.

$300-2k
Side hustle
From home

36,864 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year

A worker processing healthcare invoices and claim forms at a desk with a computer.

Home-based medical billing for small practices

Submit claims and chase payments for a few small clinics from your home office.

$500-4k
Side hustle
From home

3,628 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year

A consultant presenting a branding strategy chart to a client in a meeting room.

Freelance marketing consultant for local businesses

Help local small businesses plan their marketing, from branding to promotion, on a monthly retainer or project fee.

$300-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

52,258 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.5% in a year

Boxes of desk accessories and stationery stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Online desk accessories wholesaler

Sell desk accessories and stationery in bulk to small shops and offices from home, with a simple online ordering page.

$2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year

Branded branded gift boxes and merchandise arranged for corporate giving.

Home-based corporate gift reseller

Source branded gifts and merch from suppliers and sell them to local companies for staff, clients and events.

$300-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

7,395 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.3% in a year

Curated corporate gift box business

Assemble and ship branded gift boxes for client thank-yous, employee milestones and holiday gifting.

$1.5k-7.5k
Part-time
From home

7,395 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.3% in a year

Recruitment consultant meeting a job candidate across a desk in an office.

Independent niche recruiter

Find and place candidates for local employers in one field you know well, working from home and paid when a hire starts.

$500-3k
Side hustle
From home

7,679 US businesses with employees in this field, +9.2% in a year

Pallets of paper reams stacked in a distribution warehouse.

Home-based paper reseller (drop-ship)

Sell paper to local printers and offices from home, with orders shipped straight from a larger supplier.

$1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

643 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.3% in a year

Architect reviewing building design drawings and plans at a drafting desk.

Home design and remodel plans

Draw floor plans and permit-ready drawings for homeowners planning additions, remodels and small builds.

$2k-8k
Part-time
From home

22,805 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Plan drafting for builders and remodelers

Turn contractors' sketches and site notes into clean drawings and plan sets, working remotely in your spare time.

$1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

22,805 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

About these ideas

You could look at a small business loan broker, a home-based answering service for local trades or a home-based independent insurance agent. Start by deciding which clients you already know how to reach, and whether you need a license, appointment or registration to serve them. Many services in this sector are regulated at the state level, so check your state's rules early. Then work out how you will find your first few customers, since most of these businesses grow through trust and referrals more than advertising.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a license to run a business services company from home?

It depends on the service and your state. Insurance sales, public adjusting and loan brokering often have licensing rules, while consulting or mailing services may not. Check with your state's licensing department and your local government before taking clients.

Can I legally run my business from my home address?

Often you can, but it is worth checking. Look at local zoning rules, any home occupation permit requirements, and your HOA or lease terms if they apply. Some cities also require a general business license, even for home-based work.

What should I check before choosing a business services idea?

Check who your first customers would be and how you would reach them. Then look at licensing, insurance such as errors and omissions cover, and startup costs. Talking to a few potential clients first can show whether the demand is real.