On-Site backyard shed builder

Homeowners who want storage, a workshop or a garden building, plus some small landlords and rural property owners.

A fixed quote per shed based on size and finish, with extras for upgrades like electrical rough-in (done by a licensed electrician), shelving, windows and paint. Materials are usually billed with a deposit up front.

• Basic carpentry and framing
• Reading plans and measuring accurately
• Quoting and pricing jobs
• Customer communication

• Startup costs depend on what you already own: a full set of power tools, a work truck or trailer for hauling lumber, insurance and the materials you pay for before the deposit clears can add up quickly
• Contractor licensing: some states require a license once a job passes a dollar amount, check your state's contractor board
• Building permits, size limits, setbacks and HOA rules often apply to sheds, check locally before quoting
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation if you hire help
• Call 811 before digging and take care with utility lines
• Take deposits carefully and write a simple contract to avoid disputes over materials and delays

Startup costs are typically around $12,000 to $40,000, depending on the tools and truck or trailer you already own, insurance, and the materials you pay for before a customer's deposit clears.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many jobs you take, the size of each build and your pricing. These are estimates, and materials and other costs come out of that.

Things to check: whether your state's contractor board requires a license above a certain job value, local building permits, size limits, setbacks and HOA rules, insurance, calling 811 before digging, and a written contract covering deposits.