Trades business ideas you can start for up to $20,000

134 ideas

These 135 trades business ideas are for people who already have a skill, or are willing to train, and want to work for themselves without taking on heavy debt. Options range from mobile window and glass repair and railing installation and repair to a custom furniture maker from a home workshop.

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1k to 5kOver 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 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
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

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
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
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
Joiner fitting a wooden door into its frame in a workshop.

Online door and hardware dealer (drop-ship)

Sell interior and exterior doors, frames and hardware to contractors and homeowners, shipped direct from suppliers.

  • $1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,048 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
Electrician mounting a wall-mounted electric vehicle charging point on a house driveway.

Home EV charger installer

Install Level 2 car chargers in garages and driveways for local EV owners.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
83,342 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Bins of bolts, screws and nails stacked in a supplier warehouse.

Home-based fastener supplier for local contractors

Buy screws, bolts and anchors in bulk from distributors and resell to local builders and shops, run from a home office and garage.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
5,967 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year
Workers assembling a new play structure in a school playground.

Playground equipment dealer (home-based)

Sell commercial play equipment to schools, towns and daycares, and hire local crews to install it.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • From home
5,355 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.9% in a year
A cabinetmaker shaping wood on a workbench to build a fitted furniture unit.

Custom cabinets from a garage workshop

Build made-to-measure cabinets, built-ins and furniture for local homeowners in your garage or backyard shop.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
6,055 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
A locksmith cutting a copy of a house key on a machine at a counter.

Mobile key cutting service

Take a key duplicating machine to apartment complexes, offices and rental hosts and cut copies on the spot.

  • $2k-9k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,961 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.8% in a year
Installer fitting rows of commercial seating in a public venue.

Commercial seating installation crew

Assemble and install seating on site for dealers, venues and offices as a subcontract installer.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
5,023 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year
Jeweller working on a gold ring at a bench with magnifying lamp and small tools.

Home studio custom jewelry and repairs

Make custom gold and silver pieces and handle resizing and repairs from a small home workbench.

  • $3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,844 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year
Locksmith fitting a new lock on a residential front door.

Mobile locksmith for homes and businesses

Drive to customers to open locked doors, change locks and fit security hardware, paid per call-out or job.

  • $3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,961 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.8% in a year
Boxes of LED light bulbs stacked on warehouse shelves.

Local light bulb supplier with delivery

Stock popular bulbs and lamps and deliver them to local electricians, property managers and shops.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
Excavator levelling earth on a building site with a worker nearby.

Site prep subcontractor with rented equipment

Start with little capital: rent machines by the day and take small digging and grading jobs from landscapers and builders.

  • $3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
41,777 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.3% in a year
Workers pouring and levelling wet concrete for a new driveway slab.

Concrete patios, walkways and small slabs

Pour and finish patios, walkways, shed pads and small driveways for homeowners in your area.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
23,350 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.9% in a year
Blacksmith hammering heated iron on an anvil in a forge.

Home forge for custom and craft pieces

Forge hooks, knives, fireplace tools and small decorative pieces in a backyard shop and sell them online and at markets.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,827 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
A builder assembling a wooden pergola over a patio in a back garden.

Pergola and carport builder

Build custom wood pergolas and carports for homeowners in your area, working mostly on your own.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Tradesperson laying flooring planks across a room in a renovated home.

Solo flooring installer

Install vinyl plank, laminate and carpet for homeowners and landlords, working alone with a small tool kit.

  • $2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
17,989 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Stacked vehicle and industrial batteries in a wholesale warehouse.

Specialty battery supplier for trade customers

Sell one niche, such as golf cart, mobility or forklift batteries, to businesses online and by phone, shipped from a supplier.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
A craftsman shaping a copper vessel with hammer and anvil in a workshop.

Custom copper maker from a home workshop

Hand-make and repair copper pieces like range hoods, sinks, planters and decor in your garage or shed.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,652 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.0% in a year

About these ideas

Start by deciding whether you want to work on site with customers or from a workshop, since that shapes your van, tool and insurance needs. Then look at which work needs a license in your state or city, and which does not. Price a realistic first set of tools and materials, and think about how you will find your first few customers before you spend money.

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. Electrical, plumbing and some contracting work often have licensing rules, while other jobs may not. Check with your state licensing board and local authorities before you take on paid work.

What costs should I plan for besides tools?

Think about a work vehicle, liability insurance, any required bonding, software for quotes and invoices, and a cash buffer for materials. Ask a local insurance broker what cover customers or general contractors may expect for the type of work you plan to do.

Can I start a trades business while keeping my current job?

Many people begin part-time with evening and weekend jobs, but check your employment contract for conflict or moonlighting clauses. Also confirm any licensing, insurance and tax requirements apply from your first paid job, not only once you go full-time.