Trades business ideas with a startup cost over $20,000

195 ideas

These 197 trades ideas suit people who have savings, equipment financing, or a partner to back a bigger launch. Higher budgets usually pay for vehicles, tools, a workshop, inventory, or insurance.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
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.

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
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

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
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

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

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

Local door and hardware showroom

Open a small showroom and stockroom supplying doors, frames and hardware to local builders and homeowners.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
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.

Business and fleet EV charging contractor

Install and maintain charging stations for workplaces, apartment buildings, retailers and delivery fleets.

  • $45k-180k
  • Full-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.

Online fastener supplier for manufacturers and shops

Sell bulk fasteners online to small manufacturers and workshops, shipped from a rented unit or storage space.

  • $8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Online
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 supply and install company

Supply, deliver and build play equipment and safety surfacing for schools, parks and childcare centers.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
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.

Cabinet shop in a small rented unit

Rent a small workshop and take on kitchen, bath and built-in jobs for remodelers, builders and homeowners.

  • $15k-70k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
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.

Key cutting kiosk or small shop

Run a small counter, kiosk or storefront cutting keys and selling basic locks to walk-in customers.

  • $8k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,961 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.8% in a year
Carpenter building a wooden garden shed in a back garden.

On-site backyard shed builder

Build custom sheds and small outbuildings in homeowners' yards, from a simple foundation up.

  • $12k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
135,337 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year

Prefab shed builder with a small workshop

Build shed kits or panels in a workshop, then deliver and assemble them on site in a day or two.

  • $8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
135,337 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
Jeweller working on a gold ring at a bench with magnifying lamp and small tools.

Trade bench: repairs for local jewelry stores

Do resizing, repairs and custom casting work for local jewelers and pawn shops that have no bench jeweler on site.

  • $20k-70k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
1,844 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year

About these ideas

Examples include a home standby generator installer, an asphalt driveway and small parking lot paving business, and a custom metal railings and gates workshop. Others, like a local lock and hardware supplier with delivery, depend more on stock and a good location. Before you choose, work out where the money goes: equipment, a lease, a deposit on a truck, or materials you must buy before the first job is paid. Then check which licenses, bonds, and insurance your state and city expect for that work, and whether you have the experience to win customers.

More ideas

Questions

What does a trades business over $20,000 usually pay for?

Costs typically go to vehicles, specialized tools, workshop or yard space, inventory, and insurance. Make a line-by-line list for the idea you like, get real quotes, and check whether leasing or used equipment could lower your upfront spending.

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

Often, but it varies by state, county, and trade. Electrical, gas piping, and some paving or contracting work may require a license, bond, or certified staff. Check with your state licensing board and local city or county office first.

How can I fund a trades business that costs over $20,000?

Common options include savings, equipment financing, a small business loan, or a partner. Compare terms carefully, check what lenders ask for, and consider whether starting smaller or buying used gear could reduce how much you need to borrow.