Trades business ideas you can start for under $5,000

28 ideas

These 28 trades business ideas keep startup costs at $5,000 or less, so you can begin with a van, a few good tools or a small home workshop rather than a big loan. Some suit people with hands-on skills, like a weekend interior painter, home workshop small engine repair or mobile pinball and arcade repair.

Swipe through these ideas →

5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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
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
Boxes of LED light bulbs stacked on warehouse shelves.

Online lighting supply store for trade buyers

Sell bulbs and lamps online to contractors and small businesses, with bulk pricing and fast reorders.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
A builder assembling a wooden pergola over a patio in a back garden.

Pergola and carport kit assembly

Assemble ready-made pergola and carport kits for homeowners who don't want to do it themselves.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Rows of red fire extinguishers and fire blankets stocked in a supply warehouse.

Online fire safety supplies store

Sell extinguishers, fire blankets, signs and smoke alarms online to small businesses, landlords and property managers.

  • $800-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,296 US businesses with employees in this field, +18.1% in a year
Carpenter fitting timber deck boards into a frame in a garden.

Deck repair and refinishing service

Repair boards, railings and stairs, then clean and seal existing decks as a lower-cost way into the trade.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Craftsperson shaping a wooden chair leg at a workbench in a workshop.

Handmade wooden goods sold online and at markets

Make cutting boards, shelves and gifts in small batches and sell them online and at local craft markets.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,075 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.4% in a year
A decorator painting an interior wall with a roller in a freshly prepared room.

Weekend interior painter

Paint rooms, trim and cabinets for homeowners on weekends and evenings.

  • $500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
38,280 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Online scale reseller for shops and labs

Sell the right weighing scales to small businesses online, shipped from distributors, with advice on choosing.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,637 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Home workshop power tool repair

Fix and service drills, saws and sanders from a garage or basement workshop for local trades and DIYers.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
22,907 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.1% in a year

Wallpaper hanging on evenings and weekends

Hang wallpaper in homes on your days off, starting with accent walls, powder rooms and referrals from local painters.

  • $300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
38,280 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Online insulation materials supplier

Resell electrical and thermal insulation products online to electricians and contractors, shipped straight from your suppliers.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year

Weekend machine maintenance contracts

Use your trade skills to service one or two local shops' machines on evenings and weekends.

  • $500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
22,907 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.1% in a year

Mobile TV antenna and satellite dish installer

Install and fix TV antennas and satellite dishes at homes for people who want free local channels or better reception.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
8,107 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year

Home luggage and bag repair workshop

Fix zippers, wheels, handles and linings on suitcases and bags from a home workspace.

  • $600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
698 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year

Furniture and small-item paint stripping from home

Strip old paint from furniture, doors and small metal pieces in your garage or workshop space for local customers.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
38,280 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Online water heater supplier for local contractors

Sell water heaters to local plumbers and HVAC crews by phone and online, with units shipped straight from the distributor or manufacturer.

  • $1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • From home
6,410 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.0% in a year

Home workshop small engine repair

Fix lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and generators in your garage for neighbors and local landscapers.

  • $800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,670 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.0% in a year

Online water pump shop with fitting advice

Sell well, sump, irrigation and transfer pumps online, and win customers with clear sizing help.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
6,410 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.0% in a year
Water and transfer pumps displayed on shelves in a supply warehouse.

Online pump reseller (drop-ship)

Sell water, transfer and garden pumps online to contractors and farms, shipped direct from the supplier.

  • $500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
Technician repairing a violin at a workbench in a repair shop.

Home workshop instrument repair

Fix and tune guitars, violins or band instruments from a bench at home for local players and schools.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Technician repairing an antique clock mechanism in a workshop.

Home-based clock repair and restoration

Repair mantel, wall and grandfather clocks from a home workbench for local owners and antique dealers.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A technician repairing a wheelchair wheel on a workbench in a workshop.

Home workshop wheelchair repair

Repair and refurbish wheelchairs and walkers in a garage workshop, with drop-off or mail-in work.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Rain barrel and garden tank seller

Sell and set up rain barrels and small storage tanks for home gardens, with delivery and simple downspout hookups.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

About these ideas

Others, such as an online trade tool and equipment reseller, lean more on sourcing and customer service than on tools. Before you choose, think about what you can already do well, how much of your budget goes to tools, insurance and materials, and whether your area has steady demand. Check whether your state or city requires a license or permit for the work you want to do, since trades rules vary a lot by location.

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. Painting, electrical, plumbing and installation work can be treated differently. Check with your state licensing board and local office before taking paid jobs or advertising your services.

What costs should I plan for within a $5,000 budget?

Look at tools, materials, a vehicle or workspace, insurance, and any licensing or registration fees. Also set aside money for marketing and a cushion for slow weeks. Online resale ideas may need inventory, website costs and shipping supplies instead.

Should I start a trades business part time while I have another job?

Many people test demand on evenings and weekends first, which can lower risk. Check your employment contract for conflict rules, confirm any insurance you need, and make sure you can reliably serve customers before taking on larger jobs.