Do you want to start a profitable home improvement business but need help figuring out where to begin? As an experienced artisan, construction contractor, homebuilder, or handyperson, you have many skills to offer — yet turning those skills into profit is easier said than done for business owners.
To help you answer the question “What’s the best home improvement business to start?” we’ve compiled a list of top home improvement business ideas — including salary information and projected industry growth to fuel your small business ambitions.
1. Home automation technician
Annual salary: $53,247
Industry growth: The market for home automation is growing 17% each year, with 46% of consumers saying smart home technology is important in their current or next home.
A home automation technician installs and repairs smart home technology allowing customers to control heating and cooling, lighting, security and more in their homes. Few companies hire for this position, but home automation is one of many home improvement business opportunities. You could grow your own startup by marketing your services to residents in nearby neighborhoods and cities.
2. Fence installation and repair
Annual salary: $37,700
Industry growth: Little or no change expected through 2031
Although the industry will see little change over the next decade, a fence installation and repair business can be rewarding if you like building and working outdoors.
3. Home weatherization
Annual salary: $39,850
Industry growth: 4% - 7% growth expected
A home weatherization company provides sealing, insulating, and waterproofing for homes for both energy efficiency and home security.
4. Interior and exterior house painting
Annual salary: $45,590
Industry growth: 1% growth expected through 2031
Painting houses, walls, doors, and trim are common with a house painting business. You could also expand your offerings to include commercial painting for buildings and bridges.
5. Handyman services
Annual salary: $49,326
Industry growth: 4% - 7% growth expected, with 160,100 job openings through 2031
As a handyperson, you’ll have a variety of home repair and home maintenance projects to keep you from getting bored with your day-to-day tasks. You might start the day with carpentry or woodwork, move into basic plumbing or appliance repair services, and finish the day staining or painting cupboards.
6. Appliance repair
Annual salary: $45,340
Industry growth: Little change expected, with 3,600 job openings through 2031
Specializing in appliance repair and maintenance services can result in more job opportunities. It has the highest employment level compared to electronics and appliance stores or building equipment contractors.
7. Floor installation
Annual salary: $47,310
Industry growth: Annual growth of 4% expected
Improve the look and feel of homes or businesses as a carpet, vinyl, tile, and wood floor installer. A floor installation business is physically demanding but doesn’t require a formal education — you can learn on the job.
8. Construction manager
Annual salary: $98,890
Industry growth: Faster than average annual growth of 8% expected
A construction manager plans, coordinates, budgets, and supervises construction projects from start to finish. Whether you work in an office or a field office, you'll spend most of your time indoors.
9. Garage door installation and repair
Annual salary: $40,485
Industry growth: Very active, with cities in Nebraska, Washington, New York, California, and Massachusetts seeing the highest pay
Working with hand and power tools, you’d install, repair, maintain, and replace garage doors.
10. Interior decorating
Annual salary: $60,340
Industry growth: 1% annual growth expected through 2031
Interior design and decorating services help to make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful. Although the industry will see little growth, interior decorating businesses accounted for 93,300 jobs as of 2021.
11. Deck building
Annual salary: $37,520
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 4% expected
The construction of decks and patios is the focus of a deck-building business. Aside from residential clients, there are also opportunities to work on decks for commercial clients such as restaurants or event facilities.
12. Air duct cleaning
Annual salary: $48,630
Industry growth: Annual growth of 5% expected through 2031
Air duct cleaning is the best way to improve indoor air quality. You could help to eliminate allergens, bacteria, mold, and other pollutants in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and factories in heating and air conditioning ducts.
13. Professional organization services
Annual salary: $48,975
Industry growth: Very active
Professional organizers help people reduce clutter and create order out of chaos in their homes and businesses. You might organize a shoe closet or create storage space in a junk-filled garage.
14. Septic tank cleaning
Annual salary: $44,810
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 4% - 7% expected
It may not be the most glamorous job, but septic tank cleaning is crucial for many homeowners. The industry saw annual growth of 7.5% from 2017 to 2022.
15. Home security consulting and installation
Annual salary: $48,320
Industry growth: 4% - 7% annual growth expected, with 9,400 projected job openings through 2031
Home security can be a lucrative business venture. You could recommend and install home security systems to keep your client’s property and the people inside their homes safer.
16. Furniture assembly
Annual salary: $29,656
Industry growth: Very active, especially in metropolitan areas in Nebraska, California, Texas, Wyoming, and West Virginia
Bookshelves and other home and office furniture are notorious for being difficult to assemble. This service often sees higher demand for businesses near college campuses, senior communities, or military bases.
17. Electrician
Annual salary: $60,040
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 7% expected
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems. You’ll most likely need a electrician license to perform this work. Apprenticeships and technical schools provide training and help with licensing.
18. Plumbing
Annual salary: $59,880
Industry growth: 2% annual growth expected
While growth is slow, the plumbing industry will likely have 48,600 openings each year over the next decade to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire from being a plumber.
19. Carpentry
Annual salary: $48,260
Industry growth: 2% annual growth expected
The work of a carpenter includes constructing, repairing, and installing wood structures and framework. Your carpentry business idea can be either indoors or outdoors, ranging from building or repairing kitchen cabinets to focusing on restoration.
20. Cleaning service
Annual salary: $28,780
Industry growth: 8% - 10% annual growth expected
Maids and housecleaners maintain private households or commercial establishments such as hotels, offices, or hospitals.
21. Historic home restoration
Annual salary: varies by trade
Industry growth: Home remodeling expected 4% annual growth
Historic home restoration focuses on the preservation of older homes, while making them fucntional for modern living. Typically, trades that work on historic homes can command higher salaries because of the complexities of projects.
22. Lawn care
Annual salary: $35,460
Industry growth: 5% annual growth expected
Lawn care and landscaping businesses can have a profit margin ranging from 15% to 45%. Although the industry expects average growth, it will see 61,300 new jobs through 2031.
23. Garage conversion
Annual salary: $37,520
Industry growth: 4% annual growth expected
Opening a garage conversion company allows you to specialize your home remodeling business to transform attached or detached parking spaces into something more. You’d offer homeowners a simple and affordable solution to add a home office, bedroom, kids’ playroom, workshop, or other living space.
NEXT helps your home improvement business succeed
At NEXT, we’re committed to small business owners thrive. That’s why we’ve made it easy to get affordable, customized business insurance to protect your business.
Everything is online, so you can get an instant quote, review options and buy coverage in less than 10 minutes. You’ll have immediate 24/7 access to your certificate of insurance (COI) as soon as you buy your insurance.
