Trades Business Ideas You Can Start in the US

357 ideas

This page collects 360 trades business ideas for people who like practical work and want to be their own boss. Some are hands-on building and repair jobs, such as asphalt driveway and small parking lot paving, Solo climbing arborist (pruning and small removals), or stone countertop cutting and fabrication.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
A bricklayer laying bricks with mortar on a wall at a building site.

Brick repair and repointing

Fix cracked brick, crumbling mortar joints and damaged chimneys for homeowners in your area.

  • $3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
18,258 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
A bricklayer laying bricks with mortar on a wall at a building site.

Subcontract bricklayer for builders

Lay brick for new homes, extensions and commercial jobs as a subcontractor to general contractors.

  • $5k-25k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
18,258 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Carpenter assembling a timber gazebo in a back garden.

Gazebo and pergola kit installer

Assemble and install gazebo and pergola kits for homeowners who don't want to do it themselves.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Carpenter assembling a timber gazebo in a back garden.

Custom gazebo and pergola builder

Design and build custom wood gazebos and pergolas, prefabricated in your shop and finished on site.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
A builder working on a home renovation with tools and building materials.

Home remodeling contractor

Manage kitchen, bath and room renovations for local homeowners, hiring trade subcontractors.

  • $6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
39,072 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year
A builder working on a home renovation with tools and building materials.

Solo small-jobs contractor

Take on repairs and small building jobs yourself, such as decks, drywall, doors and flooring.

  • $1k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
39,072 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year
Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Custom gates, railings and metal frames shop

Make and install gates, railings and steel frames for homeowners and builders from a small rented shop.

  • $12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Mobile welding and metal repair

Take a truck-mounted welder to homes and job sites to build, fix and install railings, gates and frames.

  • $8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
Workers stacking solar panels and inverter boxes in an equipment warehouse.

Local solar supply counter for installers

Stock panels, inverters and racking in a small warehouse so local installers and homeowners can buy fast.

  • $120k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
Installer fixing a new window into a home's exterior wall opening.

Replacement window and door installer

Sell and install replacement windows and doors for homeowners and landlords in your area.

  • $4k-18k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,945 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
Installer fixing a new window into a home's exterior wall opening.

Subcontract window installer

Install windows and doors for dealers and remodelers who need skilled hands, with no selling needed.

  • $2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,945 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
Craftsperson cutting and polishing a gemstone on a lapidary wheel in a workshop.

Home gemstone cutting studio

Cut and polish gemstones on commission for jewelers, collectors and people with stones to recut.

  • $2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,844 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year
Craftsperson cutting and polishing a gemstone on a lapidary wheel in a workshop.

Lapidary studio with shop and classes

Run a small studio cutting stones for trade and retail customers, and teach beginner lapidary classes.

  • $10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,844 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Residential electrician for home installs and upgrades

Install wiring, lighting, outlets and panel upgrades for homeowners as a licensed solo electrician.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
83,342 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Electrician installing wiring in a fuse box inside a home.

Electrical subcontractor crew for builders and remodelers

Lead a small crew wiring new builds, additions and tenant fit-outs for contractors and property owners.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
83,342 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Decorative glass blocks being stacked into a partition wall by a builder.

Local glass block supply yard

Stock glass blocks and install materials in a small unit and supply local builders, masons and remodelers.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,756 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
A newly built custom home under construction with builders on site.

Custom home builder (general contractor)

Build one-of-a-kind homes on clients' lots, managing the design team, subcontractors and schedule.

  • $15k-75k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
60,635 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
A newly built custom home under construction with builders on site.

Hands-on custom builder, small crew

Build one or two custom homes a year yourself, doing the carpentry with a small crew and a few trusted trades.

  • $10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
60,635 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Mobile hose and fittings service van

Drive to farms, shops and job sites with hoses and fittings, cut to length and made up on the spot.

  • $15k-60k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
9,605 US businesses with employees in this field, +6.0% in a year
Coils of rubber hoses and brass fittings are stacked in a supplier's warehouse.

Online hose and fittings reseller

Sell hoses and fittings online and by local delivery to tradespeople and farms from a small stock room.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,605 US businesses with employees in this field, +6.0% in a year
A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Home leather repair studio

Fix scuffed bags, jackets and shoes from a home workspace, with local drop-off and mail-in orders.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
698 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
A craftsperson repairing a leather bag at a workbench with tools.

Leather and shoe repair shop

Open a small shop repairing bags, jackets and shoes for walk-in customers and local partners.

  • $10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
698 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
Arborist working at height in a tree using ropes and a harness.

Tree trimming and pruning service

Climb, prune and remove trees for homeowners and property managers with a small crew.

  • $25k-100k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
117,969 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year
Arborist working at height in a tree using ropes and a harness.

Roof and gutter access services

Clear gutters, remove roof debris and inspect roofs safely for property owners.

  • $2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
117,969 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year

About these ideas

Others lean on a specialty skill, like mobile scale repair and calibration, or on supplying the trades rather than doing the work yourself. Before choosing, think about the training you already have, the tools and vehicle you would need, and how physically demanding the work is. Check what licensing, bonding and insurance your state and city may require, since trades rules vary a lot by location and by the size of the job. Start with one service you can do well, then grow from there.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a license to start a trades business in the US?

It depends on the trade, your state and sometimes your city or county. Check with your state licensing board and local building department about contractor licenses, job value limits, and any exam or experience requirements before taking paid work.

What insurance should I check on before taking trades jobs?

Ask an insurance broker about general liability, commercial vehicle cover, tools and equipment cover, and workers' compensation if you hire help. Some clients, builders and local authorities may require proof of coverage before you start work.

How do I choose between a trades idea that needs a crew and a solo one?

Consider your budget, your physical stamina and how much management you want to do. Solo work usually costs less to start and is simpler to run, while crew-based work can take bigger jobs but adds payroll, scheduling and insurance duties to check.