Tech service business ideas you can start for up to $5,000

52 ideas

These 53 tech service ideas suit people who are good with devices, patient with customers and happy to sell their skills before they sell anything else. Many start with a toolkit, a few supplies and a bit of marketing rather than a big outlay.

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5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Engineer mounting a CCTV camera on the outside wall of a building.

Home and small business camera installer

Install and set up security cameras and recorders for homes and small shops in your area.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
7,151 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year
Technician repairing a damaged hard drive on a workbench in a data recovery lab.

Home-based data recovery (software-level)

Recover files from failed drives, phones and memory cards using specialist software, and refer physical failures to a partner lab.

  • $600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
18,544 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.7% in a year
Customer tapping a contactless card on a payment terminal at a counter.

Card readers for market and pop-up vendors

Supply, set up and support portable card terminals for farmers market sellers, food trucks and event vendors.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,711 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.4% in a year
A technician opening a desktop computer to upgrade its components.

Mobile computer repair and tune-ups

Fix slow, broken or infected computers at customers' homes and small offices in your area.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year

Small business IT support on retainer

Look after the computers, Wi-Fi and backups of small offices for a monthly fee.

  • $500-3k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
Engineer checking rows of server racks while managing database systems in a data centre.

Freelance database cleanup and upkeep

Fix messy customer, stock and sales records for small businesses, then keep them tidy on a monthly plan.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
68,051 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.0% in a year
Developers working together on code at computers in a modern office.

Custom software for local businesses

Build tailored apps, tools and integrations for small businesses that outgrew spreadsheets.

  • $300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
68,051 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.0% in a year

Small subscription software product

Build and sell a simple online tool for one niche, paid for by monthly subscription.

  • $500-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
68,051 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.0% in a year
Technician repairing a professional video camera with small screwdrivers on a bench.

Home-based video camera repair bench

Fix and service camcorders and mirrorless video cameras for local filmmakers and owners from a home workbench.

  • $1k-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,045 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.5% in a year
A technician connecting network cables to a router in a server rack.

Home Wi-Fi and network setup

Fix dead zones and set up secure home networks, mesh Wi-Fi and wired connections for local households.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
83,342 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
A security specialist analysing code and threat data on multiple computer screens.

Home computer security and virus cleanup

Remove malware and set up safe passwords, backups and protection for families and seniors.

  • $200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
13,275 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.7% in a year

Small business security audits and setup

Review a small firm's devices, email and Wi-Fi, fix the gaps and keep it protected.

  • $500-4k
  • Part-time
  • From home
13,275 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.7% in a year
A technician replacing a smartphone screen with small precision tools at a workbench.

Mobile phone repair service

Fix cracked screens and dead batteries at customers' homes, offices or a coffee shop meetup.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,045 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.5% in a year

Home bench phone repair and mail-in

Repair phones from a home workbench for local drop-offs and mail-in customers.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,045 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.5% in a year
Technician repairing a camera lens with small tools on a workbench.

Home camera and lens repair bench

Fix and service film cameras, lenses and older digital cameras from a home workbench, with jobs arriving by mail.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,045 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.5% in a year
A technician repairing a laptop on a workbench with tools and circuit boards.

Mobile computer repair and tech help

Fix laptops, desktops and tablets at customers' homes and small offices, so they don't have to haul them anywhere.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year

Home-based computer repair bench

Repair customers' laptops and desktops from a bench at home, with drop-off, mail-in or local pickup.

  • $400-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
Technician repairing a phone circuit board at a small repair shop bench.

Home-based electronics repair bench

Fix phones, tablets, laptops and small gadgets from a workbench at home, with drop-off or mail-in jobs.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,615 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Person managing online store orders on a laptop at a desk.

Freelance online store setup and support

Build and maintain Shopify or WooCommerce stores for local small businesses from home.

  • $200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
68,051 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.0% in a year

Online store management for small brands

Run day-to-day store tasks for a few online sellers on a monthly retainer.

  • $300-2k
  • Part-time
  • Online
68,051 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.0% in a year
A technician replacing a cracked screen on a smartphone at a repair counter.

Mobile phone repair at your door

Fix cracked screens and weak batteries at people's homes, offices and workplaces.

  • $800-3.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,726 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.7% in a year
Technician replacing a cracked phone screen at a repair bench.

Mobile phone and tablet screen repair

Fix cracked phone and tablet screens at homes, offices and campuses while customers wait.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,615 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

Home bench screen repair by appointment

Repair phone, tablet and laptop screens from a home workbench with drop-off or mail-in jobs.

  • $300-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,615 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

Freelance GIS mapping and analysis

Make custom maps and location analysis for local governments, businesses and property clients, paid per project.

  • $300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
7,288 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.1% in a year

About these ideas

You might fix screens with mobile phone and tablet screen repair, run a home and small business camera installer service, or work from a bench at home with Home-based data recovery (software-level). Before you choose, think about where you will work, how you will source parts, and whether customers will come to you, visit you or mail items in. Also price your time honestly, including travel and returns, and check what a small proof-of-skill run would cost you before buying stock.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before starting a tech repair or installation business?

Check whether your state or city requires a business license, contractor registration or specific permits, especially for wiring or camera installs. Also look at insurance, how you will handle customer data, and whether parts suppliers are reliable.

Can I really start a tech service business for under $5,000?

Often you can, if you begin with a narrow service and basic tools. List your likely costs first: tools, parts, software, insurance, a website and transport. Then compare them with a realistic price per job to see how many jobs you need to recover your outlay.

Is it better to work from home or travel to customers?

It depends on the service. A home bench keeps costs low but may need local zoning or home-business rules checked. Mobile work can charge for convenience but adds vehicle, time and insurance costs. Consider which suits your schedule and customers.