Start a small-job home remodeling business
Take on bathroom refreshes, flooring, tile and small kitchen updates for homeowners in your area, mostly working on your own.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
135,337 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
NAICS 236118 “Residential remodelers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Smaller remodeling jobs done mostly by you: updating a bathroom, retiling a backsplash, laying new flooring, replacing cabinets or refreshing a single room. You subcontract specialist work such as electrical or plumbing to licensed pros.
Your first three steps
- Check your state's contractor licensing board for the job size limit that applies to unlicensed work, and what license you would need
- Get general liability insurance, a written contract template and an estimate template with a deposit and payment schedule
- Finish two or three jobs for friends, family or neighbors at fair prices and collect photos and reviews
Who pays
Homeowners updating a home they live in, plus landlords and people getting a house ready to sell.
How it makes money
Fixed quote per job or a price based on labor and materials, usually with a deposit up front and payments at set stages. A markup on materials and subcontractors is common.
Skills that help
- Hands-on carpentry, tiling or finishing skills
- Measuring and pricing jobs accurately
- Clear communication with homeowners
- Managing subcontractors and schedules
Watch out for
- Many states require a contractor license above a certain job value, and rules differ by state, so check before quoting
- Building permits are often required for structural, electrical and plumbing work, check with your city or county
- General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
- Underpricing jobs and unexpected problems behind walls, build a contingency into quotes
- Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, check EPA lead-safe renovation rules and certification requirements
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: small-job home remodeler
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a small-job remodeling business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, insurance and how much work you subcontract. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many jobs you take on and their size.
Do I need a contractor license to do remodeling work?
Many states require a contractor license above a certain job value, and rules differ by state, so check before quoting. Also check whether your city or county requires building permits for structural, electrical and plumbing work, and what insurance you need.
Do I need to worry about lead paint in older homes?
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, so check EPA lead-safe renovation rules and certification requirements before starting work. Also build a contingency into your quotes for unexpected problems behind walls.
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Photo: 23555986 on Pixabay