Trades business ideas you can run from your own premises

79 ideas

These 79 ideas suit skilled tradespeople, and practical people who want to learn a trade, who would rather work from a fixed base than from a van. Some are workshops where you make or repair things, such as a custom glass and mirror workshop or an air compressor repair workshop.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOnline
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
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 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
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 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
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
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.

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
Blacksmith hammering heated iron on an anvil in a forge.

Custom gates and architectural ironwork

Design and forge gates, railings and decorative ironwork on commission from a rented workshop.

  • $8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,827 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Lorry tipping a pile of topsoil onto a construction site.

Small soil yard with screening and blending

Run a small yard that screens and blends soil, selling by the scoop to contractors and homeowners.

  • $40k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,756 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
Large reels of copper electrical cable stored in a supplier warehouse.

Local wire and cable supply counter

Stock popular wire and cable in a small unit and serve local electricians and contractors with same-day pickup or delivery.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
Pallets of cement bags being unloaded from a delivery lorry at a building site.

Local building materials yard

Run a small yard stocking cement, mortar, sand, gravel and rebar, with counter sales and local delivery.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,736 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Stacks of copper and plastic pipes and fittings in a supply warehouse.

Local pipe and fittings supply counter

Stock pipe and fittings in a small unit so local plumbers and contractors can pick up what they need fast.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
6,410 US businesses with employees in this field, -5.0% in a year
Structural steel beams being erected on a building site with cranes.

Small structural steel fabrication shop

Cut, weld and finish beams, frames, stairs and railings in your own shop, then deliver or install for builders.

  • $40k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
A mason carving lettering into a granite headstone in a workshop.

Custom headstone and memorial workshop

Design, carve and install custom headstones and memorials for families and cemeteries from your own workshop.

  • $15k-75k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,163 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.4% in a year
Shelves of paint tins and varnish cans in a trade supply warehouse.

Specialty wood finishes trade counter

Run a small trade supply store for stains, lacquers and finishing products aimed at cabinetmakers, refinishers and painters.

  • $30k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,992 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Stacked timber framing lumber in a yard ready for builders.

Local framing lumber yard with delivery

Stock studs, joists, beams and sheathing from a small yard and deliver to local builders and remodelers.

  • $60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
7,048 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year

Small warehouse tool wholesaler

Rent a small unit, stock tools in volume and supply local contractors, retailers and bulk buyers.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,967 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year

Local lighting supply with stocked warehouse

Keep popular lighting products in stock so local electricians and builders can order today and pick up or get same-day delivery.

  • $20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year

Joinery shop for doors, windows and trim

Rent a small industrial unit and make doors, windows and moldings for builders and homeowners.

  • $20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,445 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.7% in a year

Small countertop fabrication and install shop

Run a small workshop that cuts and finishes stone, quartz and solid surface countertops, then installs them.

  • $30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
32,219 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year

About these ideas

Others are trade counters and shops, such as a lock and key shop or a local pipe and fittings supply counter. Before anything else, think about the space. Check what zoning allows at an address, what the lease or purchase would cost, and whether you need room for stock, deliveries or noisy equipment. Then work out who your regular customers would be, since a fixed location depends on repeat local trade.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a license to run a trades business from my own premises?

It depends on your state, city and trade. Check whether your trade needs a contractor or occupational license, whether you need a business license, and whether the building has the right certificate of occupancy for your use.

Should I rent or buy a workshop or shop space?

Renting keeps upfront costs lower and lets you test demand, while buying gives more control. Compare lease terms, who handles repairs, utility costs, insurance and zoning limits. Read any lease carefully, ideally with a local professional, before you sign.

What should I check before opening a trade supply counter?

Look at whether local contractors already have a supplier they trust, and whether wholesalers will open an account with you. Also check storage needs, delivery vehicles, insurance, rules on stocking certain products, and how much inventory you must carry.