Home service business ideas with a $20,000+ startup budget
39 ideas
These 39 home service ideas suit people who have meaningful savings or financing and want a business built on equipment, vehicles, trained crews or a physical shop. A bigger budget opens up options like a full-house siding installation crew, a prefab sunroom installer or a smart home installation company, where tools, insurance and materials add up quickly.
Commercial lawn maintenance crew
Keep lawns tidy for offices, HOAs and retail properties on a contract, with a small crew.
- $8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Commercial awnings for cafés and shops
Supply, fit and repair awnings for restaurants, cafés and storefronts from a small unit.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Furniture restoration and upholstery workshop
Restore, refinish and reupholster furniture in a rented workshop for households, businesses and retailers.
- $6k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small business security system installer
Install wired cameras, access control and alarms for shops, offices and warehouses in your area.
- $5k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Local carpet and pad warehouse for flooring trade
Stock popular carpet rolls and pad in a small unit and deliver quickly to flooring shops and installers in your region.
- $40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighborhood shoe repair shop
Fix heels, soles, zippers and straps for locals from a small storefront or shared retail space.
- $10k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local flooring supply for installers and builders
Stock popular wood and laminate flooring in a small warehouse and deliver to installers, builders and homeowners nearby.
- $25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Commercial lot plowing and salting
Win seasonal contracts to plow and salt small business parking lots and sidewalks.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local alarm and security shop
Open a small shop selling alarm kits and fitting systems for homes and businesses in your area.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Full-service home stager with inventory
Own a stock of furniture and decor, and style empty or occupied listings for agents and sellers.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Full-house siding installation crew
Lead a small crew that re-sides whole homes and small commercial buildings.
- $12k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Commercial and seasonal exterior lighting designer
Light storefronts, offices and HOA entrances, and add seasonal holiday lighting to fill the year.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Blinds and shutters showroom
Open a small local showroom selling and fitting blinds, shades and shutters.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Smart home installation company
Design and install whole-home lighting, heating and security systems for homeowners and builders.
- $5k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Bark and mulch supply yard
Run a small yard selling bark, mulch and soil by the scoop or the load to landscapers and local gardeners.
- $25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Home theater design and install company
Plan and build full dedicated theater rooms for homeowners, with a small crew and trusted subcontractors.
- $8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Neighborhood tool rental shop
Open a small counter and yard where homeowners and contractors rent tools and equipment by the day.
- $30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Commercial bird control contractor
Protect warehouses, solar arrays and food sites from nuisance birds with larger installs and ongoing service contracts.
- $8k-30k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Patio cover and screen room installer
Supply and install aluminum patio covers, screen rooms and sunroom kits for homeowners in your area.
- $8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Lawn equipment rental with delivery
Deliver mowers, aerators and larger garden machines to the door by the day or week, then collect them when the job is done.
- $10k-35k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Skylight installation and replacement crew
Install and replace skylights in homes and small commercial buildings with a small crew, a truck and a licensed contracting setup.
- $25k-70k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Vacuum repair and sales shop
Run a small shop that repairs vacuums and sells bags, belts, filters and refurbished machines.
- $8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Stucco contractor crew for new and full-wall jobs
Lead a small crew applying new stucco and full recoats on homes, additions and small commercial buildings.
- $8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Emergency water damage drying service
Respond to floods and leaks, extract water and dry out homes with your own equipment and van.
- $15k-45k
- Full-time
- Out and about
About these ideas
It also supports shop-based ideas such as a neighborhood tool rental shop. Before you commit, work out what you would spend on equipment, a vehicle, insurance and your first few months of materials, and how many jobs you need to cover them. Check which licenses, permits and bonding your state and city may require for the trade, and decide whether you will do the work yourself or hire from day one.
More ideas
- Private-pay home help agency
- Prefab sunroom installer
- Custom sunroom design-build
- Neighborhood electrical repair shop
- Landscape design and installation
- Small appliance and vacuum repair shop
- Replacement window and door company
- Cast-iron radiator restoration workshop
- Maintenance crew for property managers
- Mobile knife and tool sharpening
- Lamp repair and restoration shop
- Small fire restoration company
- Small countertop shop with showroom and fabrication
- Local furnace and heating parts shop
- Stove and fireplace showroom
Questions
Why do some home service businesses cost more than $20,000 to start?
Costs usually come from vehicles, specialized equipment, insurance, inventory and sometimes a leased shop or showroom. Crew-based trades also need payroll before customers pay. Build a line-by-line startup budget and add a cushion for slow early months.
Do I need a license to start a home service business in the US?
Often, but it depends on the trade, state and sometimes the city. Electrical, roofing and similar work may require a contractor or trade license. Check with your state licensing board and local office, and confirm insurance and bonding requirements too.
How should I fund a home service business that costs over $20,000?
Common options include personal savings, equipment financing, SBA-backed loans, or buying used gear first. Compare interest rates, repayment terms and collateral requirements. Check what each lender expects, and make sure monthly payments are manageable if jobs come in slowly.