Trades business ideas you can start from home

47 ideas

These 47 trades ideas suit people who already have a skill with their hands, or are willing to build one, and want to work from a garage, shed or spare building instead of renting a unit. You might look at home workshop small engine repair, custom doors and built-ins from a home workshop, or a home forge for custom and craft pieces.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craftsperson shaping a wooden chair leg at a workbench in a workshop.

Custom furniture maker from a home workshop

Build tables, shelves and cabinets to order from a garage or backyard shop for local customers.

$3k-12k
Side hustle
From home

2,075 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.4% in a year

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

Construction workers and tradespeople working together on a building site.

General contractor who manages subcontractors

Run home projects from a home office: sell the job, hire licensed trades, and keep schedule, budget and inspections on track.

$4k-20k
Part-time
From home

39,072 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year

Stacked timber framing lumber in a yard ready for builders.

Framing package supplier, no yard needed

Quote framing packages from plans and have lumber delivered straight from suppliers to builders and self-build sites.

$5k-25k
Side hustle
From home

7,048 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Home-based lighting distributor to local trades

Sell lighting from manufacturers to electricians and contractors, shipped straight to the job site with no warehouse.

$1.5k-7.5k
Side hustle
From home

13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year

Custom millwork from a home workshop

Build custom trim, moldings and interior doors to order from a garage or backyard shop.

$4k-20k
Side hustle
From home

1,445 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.7% in a year

Custom glass and mirror cutting from a home workshop

Cut glass and mirrors to size from your garage for DIYers, framers and local contractors.

$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

955 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.1% in a year

Niche online electrical supplier for the trade

Sell a focused range of electrical products to electricians and contractors online, with a small stock at home and drop-shipping.

$2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year

Home-based sprinkler parts supplier

Sell sprinkler and fire suppression components to local installers, with orders shipped direct from manufacturers or distributors.

$3k-15k
Part-time
From home

6,410 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.0% in a year

Bench scale repair workshop

Repair and calibrate smaller scales in a home garage or small unit, by drop-off or mail-in.

$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

3,045 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.5% in a year

Retaining wall materials dealer (no yard)

Take orders for wall blocks and materials and have them delivered to the job site, without a yard.

$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

3,736 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year

Special-order window dealer for local contractors

Quote and order windows from manufacturers for builders and remodelers, with no warehouse or stock needed.

$1.5k-7.5k
Side hustle
From home

3,756 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year

Online commercial refrigeration dealer

Sell walk-in coolers, reach-ins and prep tables to local restaurants and shops, with units shipped direct from manufacturers.

$1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

1,262 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.3% 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

Custom stone cutting for gardens and memorials

Cut and shape stone for garden features, steps, benches and small memorial pieces from a home workshop.

$2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

2,163 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.4% in a year

About these ideas

Before you choose, think about space, noise, dust, fumes and deliveries, because they affect both your neighbors and your day-to-day routine. Check what tools and materials you need up front, and whether customers will bring work to you or you will ship it. Price your time honestly, not just the materials.

More ideas

Questions

Can I run a trades business from my home in the US?

Often, but it depends on where you live. Check local zoning rules, any homeowners association restrictions, and whether noise, fumes or customer visits are limited. Your city or county office can tell you whether you need a home occupation permit.

Do I need a license or insurance for a home workshop business?

Requirements vary by state and trade. Some trades need a contractor or occupational license, especially if you work on customers' property. Check with your state licensing board, and ask an insurer whether home policies cover business tools, stock and liability.

How much does it cost to start a trades business at home?

Costs vary widely by trade. Tools, materials, safety equipment and workshop upgrades are usually the biggest items. Start by listing what you already own, price the essentials, and consider starting with a narrow service so you can build up equipment as income arrives.