Starting a local service business is one of the most practical and profitable ways to earn extra income.
These businesses don’t require a college degree, expensive equipment, or years of experience.
Most of them can be launched in a weekend and start generating revenue in days.
Yes, you read that right…. DAYS.
Whether you’re looking to make an extra $1,000 a month or eventually replace your full-time job, this guide will walk you through 27 of the most profitable side businesses and side hustles you can start locally.
If one of them sounds interesting, they all have step-by-step guides you can click through to further investigate if the business model is right for you.
But first, let’s cover the basics of how to get any local business off the ground.
How to Start a Local Service Business the Right Way
1. Register Your Business
Forming a legal business entity helps protect your personal assets. Most people form an LLC (Limited Liability Company) because it’s affordable and offers liability protection. You can file through your state’s website or use a service like ZenBusiness or Incfile. Expect to pay $50 to $300 depending on your state.
2. Get Any Required Licenses
Some services like junk removal, landscaping, or mobile detailing may require local permits. Contact your county clerk’s office or visit your city’s website to check what’s needed.
3. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep your finances clean by separating business and personal money. Online banks like Novo, Lili, or Bluevine are free and tailored for small businesses.
4. Buy Insurance
General liability insurance protects you in case of accidents or property damage. You can get fast quotes from Next Insurance or Thimble, often for less than $50/month.
5. Set Up Your Online Presence
At minimum, you should claim your free Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Also consider a simple website with your services, phone number, and service area. Tools like Wix or Squarespace make this easy.
6. Market Yourself Locally
Use a combination of free and low-cost methods: Facebook Marketplace, local groups, Craigslist, yard signs, and referrals. The key is consistency and showing up where your neighbors already are.
Now let’s dive into the 25 most profitable local services you can start with little to no experience.
1. Lawn Care and Landscaping
What You Need: A lawn mower (push or riding), string trimmer, leaf blower, gas can, and a vehicle to transport equipment. You can start with residential-grade tools and upgrade later.
Startup Costs: $500 to $3,000 depending on the equipment.
How to Market: Go door-to-door in neighborhoods and leave flyers. Use Facebook groups to post before-and-after photos. Offer first-time discounts to win initial clients.
Why It’s Great: Lawn care is recurring, simple to learn, and you can make $30–$100 per yard. With just a few clients a week, you can hit your income goals quickly.
2. Pressure Washing
What You Need: A good pressure washer (2,500+ PSI), surface cleaner, hoses, and cleaning chemicals. You’ll also need water access, usually from the homeowner.
Startup Costs: $750 to $2,000 depending on quality.
How to Market: Post before-and-after images online. Use Google Business, local directories, and offer deals to HOAs. Build trust with guarantees and referrals.
Why It’s Great: You can charge $150–$500 per job, and most jobs take under 2 hours. The visible results make it easy to sell.
3. House Cleaning
What You Need: Basic cleaning supplies, vacuum, mop, and rags. Optionally, bring green/eco-friendly products for an upsell.
Startup Costs: $200 to $800.
How to Market: Target busy families and professionals. Use Facebook, flyers, and Thumbtack. Ask for referrals and online reviews.
Why It’s Great: Residential cleaning is recurring and scalable. Even one or two homes a week can produce $500–$1,000/month in income.
4. Mobile Car Detailing
What You Need: Shop vac, cleaning products, microfiber cloths, water tank, portable generator (optional), and a canopy for shade.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,000.
How to Market: Post your services near offices, gyms, and large parking lots. Offer workplace detailing. Share transformation videos on social media.
Why It’s Great: High demand, high margins. You can make $100+ per vehicle and upsell premium services like ceramic coating.
5. Gutter Cleaning
What You Need: Ladder, gloves, bucket, leaf blower, and hose. Safety equipment like harnesses is important for taller homes.
Startup Costs: $300 to $1,000.
How to Market: Offer package deals with lawn care or pressure washing. Use yard signs, Google, and door flyers.
Why It’s Great: You can earn $75 to $250 per home. It’s seasonal but in high demand during fall and spring.
6. Junk Removal
What You Need: Truck or trailer, gloves, straps, and dump access. A helper can make jobs easier and faster.
Startup Costs: $1,000 to $3,000.
How to Market: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Google search ads. Build relationships with real estate agents, landlords, and property managers.
Why It’s Great: You can charge by the load—$100 to $600 per job—and the work is constant, especially on weekends.
7. Pet Waste Removal
What You Need: Pooper scooper, bags, bucket, gloves, and disinfectant.
Startup Costs: $100 to $500.
How to Market: Post in pet owner groups and work with vets or pet stores. Offer weekly subscriptions at a flat rate.
Why It’s Great: Extremely low competition. Homeowners happily pay $10–$20 per week to avoid the mess.
8. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
What You Need: Availability, love for animals, and a way to track your schedule.
Startup Costs: $0 to $300.
How to Market: Sign up on Rover or Wag. Pass out business cards at dog parks or pet stores. Join neighborhood Facebook groups.
Why It’s Great: Flexible schedule and high hourly pay. Great for students or anyone home during the day.
9. Furniture Assembly
What You Need: Basic tool kit (drills, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches) and ability to follow instructions.
Startup Costs: $200 to $500.
How to Market: Offer services on TaskRabbit, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Partner with furniture resellers.
Why It’s Great: You can charge $40–$80 per hour and most jobs are less than 2 hours.
10. Handyman Services
What You Need: Variety of tools and knowledge of light carpentry, plumbing, or electrical repairs.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,000.
How to Market: Focus on seniors, realtors, or single moms. Join Thumbtack and HomeAdvisor. Build your Google presence.
Why It’s Great: High demand. You can charge $75+ per hour for skilled but simple tasks.
11. Garage Cleaning and Organization
What You Need: Brooms, bins, labels, gloves, shelving if upselling.
Startup Costs: $200 to $800.
How to Market: Target busy families. Partner with junk haulers or moving companies. Use Craigslist and Google Business.
Why It’s Great: People will pay $200–$500 for this service and it’s easy to offer packages.
12. Dryer Vent and Air Duct Cleaning
What You Need: Vacuum, brushes, camera (optional), air compressor.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,500.
How to Market: Use safety as a selling point—fires start from dirty dryer vents. Target homeowners via Facebook and Nextdoor.
Why It’s Great: You can charge $100–$300 per visit, and it’s easy to bundle services.
13. Painting Business
What You Need: Brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths, ladder.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,000.
How to Market: Word-of-mouth, Google, flyers in new developments. Offer free touch-up guarantees.
Why It’s Great: Simple to learn, high-paying jobs. One room can earn $200–$500.
14. Window Washing
What You Need: Squeegees, buckets, poles, ladders, glass cleaner.
Startup Costs: $300 to $1,000.
How to Market: Target local businesses and restaurants. Offer packages for regular service.
Why It’s Great: Residential jobs take 1–2 hours and pay $100–$250.
15. Holiday Light Installation
What You Need: Lights (if provided), ladders, clips, extension cords, timers.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,500.
How to Market: Start marketing in October. Post yard signs, run Facebook ads.
Why It’s Great: Earn $500–$1,500 per home. Very profitable in a short season.
16. Hauling and Delivery
What You Need: Pickup truck or trailer, dolly, straps.
Startup Costs: $0 to $2,500.
How to Market: Partner with furniture stores, appliance shops, or offer help on Facebook Marketplace.
Why It’s Great: Daily cash flow, strong demand for local deliveries.
17. Minor Home Repairs
What You Need: Tools for drywall repair, faucet replacement, or light fixture installs.
Startup Costs: $500 to $1,500.
How to Market: Realtors, property managers, or seniors need trustworthy help.
Why It’s Great: High hourly rates and constant need.
18. Senior Errand Services
What You Need: Reliable vehicle and people skills.
Startup Costs: $100 to $300.
How to Market: Connect with churches, senior centers, or post on Nextdoor.
Why It’s Great: Meaningful work with strong word-of-mouth growth.
19. Mobile Notary Services
What You Need: Notary license (get from your state), stamps, ID verification forms.
Startup Costs: $200 to $500.
How to Market: Title companies, attorneys, hospitals, and loan officers need mobile notaries.
Why It’s Great: $75–$150 per signing with flexible hours.
20. Event Setup & Breakdown
What You Need: Physical strength, vehicle, and basic supplies.
Startup Costs: $300 to $800.
How to Market: Contact event venues, party planners, or wedding vendors.
Why It’s Great: Weekend work that pays $25–$50 per hour.
21. Yard Cleanup and Leaf Removal
What You Need: Rakes, bags, leaf blower, gloves.
Startup Costs: $300 to $1,000.
How to Market: Offer seasonal cleanups to homeowners, landlords, and flippers.
Why It’s Great: Quick turnaround jobs that pay well.
22. Appliance Installation & Repair
What You Need: Tools for plumbing and light electrical connections.
Startup Costs: $500 to $1,000.
How to Market: Partner with retailers or advertise online.
Why It’s Great: People pay $100–$200 per install, and you can stack jobs.
23. Home Staging and Decorating Help
What You Need: Design sense, decor inventory, transportation.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,000.
How to Market: Partner with realtors or offer consultations on Facebook.
Why It’s Great: Homes sell faster with good staging—realtors are motivated to pay.
24. Furniture or Mattress Flipping
What You Need: Pickup, cleaning supplies, staging space.
Startup Costs: $500 to $2,000.
How to Market: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp.
Why It’s Great: Buy low, clean it, resell high. Fast turnover.
25. Grill or BBQ Cleaning
What You Need: Degreasers, brushes, scrapers, gloves.
Startup Costs: $200 to $800.
How to Market: Target homeowners, especially before summer. Offer package deals.
Why It’s Great: Underserved niche with high demand in warm weather.
26. Mobile Finger Printing Business
What You Need: A fingerprinting kit (ink pads or live scan device), fingerprint cards, gloves, wipes, and a reliable way to travel to clients.
Startup Costs: $500–$5,000 depending on whether you start with basic ink cards or invest in a live scan system.
How to Market: Network with employers, schools, licensing boards, and use local ads or Google Business Profile so people can find you quickly.
Why It’s Great: Low competition, steady demand for background checks, and the flexibility to operate part-time or full-time.
27. Land Flipping Business
What You Need: A computer and a little cash to get started (or a cash partner who can provide the capital)
Startup Costs: $1,000-$25,000 (depends on the type of land you start with which depends on the capital you have available)
How to Market: Zillow, Facebook, Redfin, MLS
Why It’s Great: Low competition compared to flipping houses and there are no fixes you need to do. Just find the deal, buy it, and re-sell it.
** I have made more money with this method than anything else on this list.
Final Tips for Launching a Local Service Business
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Start small and niche down – Don’t try to be a “jack of all trades.” Start with one thing and become known for it.
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Collect reviews early – Ask happy customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile.
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Invest in basic branding – A simple website, branded shirt, and logo can boost trust quickly.
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Outsource smart – As you grow, outsource repetitive tasks like answering phones or managing bookings.
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Never stop marketing – Consistent visibility keeps your pipeline full.
Conclusion
With minimal startup costs and no specialized experience, local service businesses are one of the best ways to create dependable income on the side.
Whether you’re handy with tools, love cleaning, or just want to work outdoors, there’s a profitable path for you.
Pick one that fits your strengths, launch small, and build your way to extra income—or even full-time freedom.
Other Interesting Articles:
How to Flip Money FAST – Best Ways to Flip $1,000
Make Money w/Land Investing: The Ultimate Guide
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Jason and Daniele
