Home service business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
63 ideas
Home service businesses earn money by solving practical problems for homeowners, and many can be started with a vehicle, tools and a modest budget. This page lists 63 ideas with startup costs up to $20,000.
Residential lawn mowing route
Mow, edge and tidy lawns for homeowners on a weekly or biweekly route in your neighborhood.
- $2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Awning reseller and installer
Sell and fit retractable and fixed awnings for patios and decks, ordering from a manufacturer.
- $1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based carpet supplier to flooring shops
Sell carpet and pad to local flooring stores and installers, shipped straight from mills and distributors to their door.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home workshop shoe and boot repair
Repair shoes and boots from a garage workshop, taking orders by drop-off, local pickup or mail.
- $3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online flooring seller with drop-ship
Sell wood and laminate flooring online to homeowners and installers, shipped straight from the manufacturer or distributor.
- $2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile alarm installer and dealer
Sell and install home and small business alarm systems at customers' properties, working from a van and a home office.
- $2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Residential sprinkler system installer
Design and install lawn and garden sprinkler systems for homeowners and new builds.
- $4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Sprinkler repair and seasonal service
Fix leaks and broken heads, then service systems each spring and fall for repeat clients.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Junk and debris hauling with a truck
Load up and haul away unwanted items and household debris for homeowners, landlords and small businesses.
- $1.5k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Construction site and renovation debris cleanup
Clear rubble, offcuts and demolition waste for contractors and remodelers on a regular basis.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile lawn mower repair and tune-ups
Fix and service mowers and garden tools at customers' homes or landscaping yards.
- $2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Recurring yard and garden maintenance
Mow, weed, prune and tidy yards for homeowners on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule.
- $1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Shoe shine stand in a busy spot
Run a shoe shine chair or stand in a barbershop, hotel, mall or business district where smartly dressed people pass.
- $1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Siding repair and small-job specialist
Fix storm-damaged, rotted or loose siding and re-side small areas for local homeowners.
- $2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Landscape designer with project management
Design the yard, then hire and oversee local crews to build it for a managed project fee.
- $2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile emergency locksmith
Drive to homes, businesses and cars to open lockouts and replace locks, day or night.
- $5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Evening and weekend lockout and rekey locksmith
Handle home lockouts and rekeying outside your day job, working from your car with a compact tool kit.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Kitchen cabinet and countertop installer
Install new kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances for homeowners, working as a solo or two-person crew.
- $3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Solo tile installer for home remodels
Tile bathroom floors, shower walls and kitchen backsplashes for homeowners in your area.
- $2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Residential landscape lighting designer
Design and install low-voltage outdoor lighting for homeowners' yards, paths, patios and house exteriors.
- $2.5k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Bulk mulch and bark delivery
Buy bulk mulch and bark from local producers and deliver it by truck or trailer to homeowners and landscapers.
- $3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Delivered tool rental from your garage
Rent out pressure washers, tile saws and other DIY tools from home, with delivery and pickup.
- $4k-20k
- Side hustle
- From home
Water softener sales and installation
Sell, install and service water softeners for homes on hard water in your area.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Water softener servicing and salt delivery
Keep existing softeners running with repairs, tune-ups and regular salt delivery.
- $1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Some are hands-on trades, such as a mobile appliance repair technician or a mobile emergency locksmith. Others lean on inspection skills, like a home inspection business for home buyers, or on equipment, like lawn equipment rental from your garage. These ideas suit people who are comfortable working in customers' homes, can handle a varied schedule and want to build a local reputation. Before choosing, think about which skills you already have, what training or certification the work may require, and whether your area has steady demand. Check licensing and insurance rules for your state and city early, since they differ widely.
More ideas
- Asbestos testing for homeowners and renovators
- Asbestos surveys for contractors and property managers
- Home water treatment dealer and installer
- Residential pest control service
- Pest control for local businesses
- Mobile washer and dryer repair
- Home and shop bird proofing
- Patio enclosure dealer using subcontract installers
- Lawn equipment rental from your garage
- Home fridge and freezer repair
- Skylight repair and leak-fix specialist
- Mobile chimney sweep and inspection
- Stucco repair and patching specialist
- Manufactured home rental management company
- Stair installer for builders and remodelers
- Subcontract water damage drying technician
- Home inspection business for home buyers
- Part-time pre-listing and landlord home inspector
- Plant design, install and upkeep
- Mobile appliance repair technician
- Mobile microwave repair
- Basement and foundation leak repair
- Deck, balcony and shower waterproofing
- Lawn and garden maintenance route
- Subcontract vinyl window installer
- Carpet installer for flooring stores
- Mechanical watch and clock repairer
- Mobile radiator repair and replacement
- Rental property maintenance for small landlords
- Mobile hot tub service and care
- Full-time handyman service with a work van
- Mobile sewing machine repair
- Mobile gas log installer and supplier
- Smoke and soot cleanup specialist
- Full-service house sitting agency
- Countertop supply and install, no workshop
- Commercial gutter cleaning contracts
- Online furnace parts store
- Home-based stove dealer and consultant
Questions
Do I need a license to start a home service business in the US?
It depends on the trade and where you work. Electrical, plumbing, locksmith and home inspection work are often regulated at the state or local level. Check with your state licensing board and city or county office before taking paid jobs.
What insurance should I look into before taking on home service work?
Many home service owners look at general liability coverage, commercial auto insurance if they use a work vehicle, and workers' compensation if they hire help. Ask an insurance agent what your trade and state may require, and what customers or suppliers expect.
How can I keep startup costs under $20,000 in home services?
Compare what you must buy new against what you can buy used, rent or subcontract. Price tools, a vehicle, insurance, licensing, training and basic marketing together. Starting with one narrow service can keep spending down while you learn what local customers want.