Starting a Trades Side Hustle In The Greater Toronto Area: From Extra Income to Full-Time Business

Staring your own business in the trades doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A side hustle is an excellent way to test the waters, leverage your skills, and create additional revenue streams. From there, you can decide whether to grow your side hustle into a full-time business or continue it as a valuable addition to your primary job. We’ve put together this blog and our Small Business Starter Guide For The Trades to help you get started.

How To Start Your Side Hustle

Assess Your Skills and Interests

What skills do you currently have in the trades? What do you enjoy doing? Whether its carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, or landscaping, identifying your niche will help you focus your efforts and attract the right customers.

Research the Market

Conduct research to understand the demand for your services. Look into your local area to see what kind of trades services are needed and what the competitors are offering. This will help you identify gaps that your new side hustle/business can fill!

Create A Plan & Get Started!

Outline you goals, target market, pricing strategy, and how you’re going to generate customers. Determine how many hours a week you can dedicate to your side hustle and set realistic goals. Ensure you have all the required licenses and insurance for your trade. Check with local regulations to ensure you’re compliant with everything necessary. Once you know you’re all set, it’s time to dive in and begin your first project!

How To Turn Your Side Hustle Into A Full-Time Business

Transitioning your trades side hustle into a full-time business is an exciting journey. Here are a few tips on getting the process started.

Evaluate Your Readiness

Financial stability and business demand are two key components to determining if your side hustle is ready to replace your primary job. Before making the transition, calculate your monthly expenses and compare them to your business earnings. In addition, assess the current demand and potential future demand for your services. Continuous customer inquiries, repeat clients, and customer referrals are all positive signs for expansion.

Create a Comprehensive Business Plan & Secure Funding

A detailed business plan is essential for guiding your full-time venture. Creating a business plan can sound challenging, but there are great government services in the Greater Toronto Area that will provide you with assistance in developing one. In addition, you may need funding in order to properly scale up your business. There are also several business grants/loan options for small businesses. Check out our Small Business Starter Guide for a list of these valuable resources that can help you with the develop of your business plan and securing funding.

Scale Your Operations

As a full-time business, you’ll likely need additional hands and more equipment to help with the increased workload. Hiring more tradespeople and investing in quality equipment can improve your efficiency and allow you to take on more projects and earn more money. Increasing your marketing efforts by utilizing social media, paid advertisements, and local networking can help generate leads and scale your business. Using software and apps can help streamline business processes so you can save time and focus on your on-site projects. Check out our Small Business Starter Guide for marketing/branding resources and useful tech suggestions for trade businesses.

Avoiding Common Problems When Starting And Growing A Side Hustle

Set yourself up for success and avoid these common problems when starting and growing a side hustle.

Time Management

Balancing a side hustle with a primary job and your personal life can become overwhelming. Many people feel there are already not enough hours in the day with one job! It’s important to create a schedule and develop efficient work habits that allow you to manage your time effectively. For example, set realistic deadlines for your side hustle projects and don’t overcommit to avoid burnout. In addition, use apps like Biiibo, that can help maximize your on-site productivity by saving you the time it would take to run to the hardware store.

Access to Equipment

Having the right tools is essential for delivering high-quality work. Investing in the proper equipment you need to complete the job on-site is crucial to running the side hustle/business. If you don’t have the upfront funds to purchase equipment, consider including the cost of rentals in your job pricing. Obtaining larger equipment like a truck for transporting your building materials can be challenging, especially when prioritizing spending on essential tools. As a solution, Biiibo can deliver your building materials directly to your job site, ensuring you have everything you need without the hassle of arranging the transport.

Procuring Building Materials

Developing a materials cost list, sourcing materials at good prices, and transporting those materials to your job site takes time, which costs money. When running a side hustle or small business, time and money are two things that most are usually short on. It is important to establish relationships with reliable suppliers who offer quality materials at competitive prices. Biiibo is a building materials supplier that can have your materials delivered directly when you need it. Plus, we also offer convenient Blueprint Takeoff Services, eliminating your need to develop a materials cost list, saving you a lot of time. Let us handle the material procurement and delivery so you can handle the building.

Pricing Your Jobs

Accurately pricing your jobs is necessary to turn a profit and ensure customer satisfaction. Take into account the cost of materials, labour, overhead, and any additional expenses when preparing estimates. It is important to provide competitive rates while ensuring there is wiggle room for price changes in materials throughout the project. Once you establish your pricing, it is wise to communicate it clearly to the client and make it clear that the pricing may change as the job evolves. There are a couple of great resources on how to price your jobs in our Small Business Starter Guide, download it now to check them out!

Sneak Peak Of Our Business/Side Hustle Ideas

A business or side hustle? They can be both! Here’s a sneak peak of some successful trade businesses that can be started through a side hustle. Check out the full list in our Small Business Starter Guide For The Trades.

Handyman Services

Perfect for those skilled in various trades, offering general repair and maintenance services can cater to a wide range of customer needs. The diversity also allows you to choose jobs that fit into your current life and job.

Ideas for Handyman(and woman) Side Hustles

1. Furniture Assembly: Assembling furniture for clients who purchase items that require home assembly.
2. Home Repairs: Offering minor home repairs such as fixing leaky faucets, patching drywall, and repairing doors and windows.
3. Painting Services: Providing interior and exterior painting services, including wall preparation and cleanup.
4. Gutter Cleaning and Repair: Cleaning out gutters and making necessary repairs to ensure proper drainage.
5. Power Washing: Cleaning driveways, sidewalks, decks, and siding with a power washer.
6. TV Mounting: Installing and mounting TVs on walls, along with setting up home entertainment systems.
7. Smart Home Device Installation: Setting up smart home devices such as thermostats, security cameras, and smart locks.
8. Carpentry Projects: Building custom shelves, cabinets, and other small carpentry projects.
9. Plumbing Fixes: Handling minor plumbing tasks like unclogging drains, fixing toilets, and installing fixtures.
10. Electrical Work: Performing basic electrical work such as installing light fixtures, ceiling fans, and outlets.
11. Tile and Grout Repair: Repairing or replacing damaged tiles and re-grouting as needed.
12. Deck and Fence Repair: Fixing or building decks and fences, including painting or staining.
13. Window and Door Installation: Installing or replacing windows and doors to improve home energy efficiency and security.
14. Home Energy Audits: Conducting home energy audits and providing recommendations for energy-saving improvements.
15. Garage Organization: Helping clients organize and declutter their garages, including installing storage solutions and shelving.

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Landscaping & Lawncare

Ideal for those who enjoy outdoor, seasonal work. During the warmer months, landscaping is in high demand, so it can be a great business idea and side-hustle. There is also a large range of tasks within landscaping that take different amounts of time so you can choose which fits in with your current schedule.

Ideas for Landscaping Side Hustles

1. Lawn Mowing and Maintenance: Offering regular lawn mowing, edging, and trimming services.
2. Garden Design and Planting: Creating garden designs and planting flowers, shrubs, and trees for clients.
3. Yard Cleanup Services: Providing seasonal yard cleanup, including leaf removal, debris clearing, and gutter cleaning.
4. Lawn Aeration and Seeding: Offering lawn aeration and overseeding services to improve lawn health.
5. Landscape Lighting Installation: Installing outdoor lighting to enhance the aesthetic and security of properties.
6. Hardscaping: Designing and building patios, walkways, retaining walls, and other hardscape features.
7. Irrigation System Installation and Repair: Installing and maintaining sprinkler and drip irrigation systems.
8. Pest Control and Fertilization: Offering pest control services and applying fertilizers to lawns and gardens.
9. Tree Trimming and Removal: Providing tree pruning, trimming, and removal services.
10. Snow Removal: Offering snow shoveling and plowing services during winter months.
11. Composting and Mulching Services: Setting up composting systems and applying mulch to gardens and flower beds.
12. Landscape Photography: Capturing professional photos of landscapes and gardens for clients or real estate listings.
13. Outdoor Furniture Assembly and Installation: Assembling and installing outdoor furniture and structures like pergolas and gazebos.
14. Holiday Decoration Services: Setting up and taking down holiday lights and decorations.
15. Garden Tutoring and Workshops: Teaching clients about gardening and hosting workshops on various landscaping topics.

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Fence/Deck Building

Decks and fences are built in all different sizes, which makes it a great side hustle/business idea. A smaller deck or fence project can be built over a weekend, making you some extra cash. This is also a side hustle that can transition into a full-time business very smoothly as you can begin working on larger deck or fence projects overtime and build up your referrals.

Ideas for Fencing and Decking Side Hustles

1. Fence Installation: Installing various types of fences, including wood, vinyl, chain-link, and metal.
2. Deck Building: Constructing custom decks using materials like wood, composite, or PVC.
3. Fence Repair and Maintenance: Repairing broken or damaged fences, including replacing panels, posts, and gates.
4. Deck Repair and Refinishing: Fixing damaged deck boards, railings, and steps, and offering refinishing services such as staining or painting.
5. Custom Gate Installation: Designing and installing custom gates for driveways, gardens, and yards.
6. Pergola and Gazebo Construction: Building pergolas, gazebos, and other outdoor structures to complement decks and patios.
7. Privacy Screen Installation: Installing privacy screens or panels for decks and patios to create a more secluded outdoor space.
8. Deck Cleaning and Sealing: Power washing and sealing decks to protect them from the elements and extend their lifespan.
9. Fence Staining and Painting: Providing staining or painting services for fences to enhance their appearance and durability.
10. Fence and Deck Design Consulting: Offering design consultation services to help clients choose the best fencing or decking options for their needs and aesthetics.
11. Temporary Fencing Solutions: Providing temporary fencing solutions for events, construction sites, or pet containment.
12. Outdoor Lighting Installation: Installing lighting for decks and fences to enhance nighttime use and improve security.
13. Railing Installation and Repair: Installing or repairing deck railings, including wood, metal, glass, or cable railings.
14. Composite Decking Installation: Specializing in the installation of low-maintenance composite decking materials.
15. Tree and Shrub Removal for Fence/Deck Projects: Offering tree and shrub removal services to prepare areas for new fence or deck installations.

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Custom Woodworking

Crafting handmade furniture and home decor items are perfect for those handy in woodworking. Refurbishing and reselling old furniture is another great way to use those skills while making some extra money.

Ideas for Woodworking Side Hustles

1. Custom Furniture Making: Creating bespoke pieces of furniture such as tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets.
2. Wooden Home Décor: Crafting home décor items like picture frames, wall art, shelves, and decorative boxes.
3. Carpentry Services: Offering general carpentry services including trim work, crown molding, and wainscoting.
4. Restoration and Refinishing: Restoring and refinishing old or antique furniture to give it a new life.
5. Wooden Toys and Games: Designing and making wooden toys, puzzles, and board games.
6. Cabinet Making: Building custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and built-in storage solutions.
7. Cutting Boards and Kitchen Utensils: Crafting cutting boards, spoons, spatulas, and other kitchen utensils from wood.
8. Outdoor Furniture: Making durable outdoor furniture such as benches, picnic tables, and garden planters.
9. Wooden Signs and Plaques: Creating personalized signs, nameplates, and plaques for homes, businesses, and events.
10. Pet Furniture and Accessories: Building pet beds, feeding stations, and other accessories for pets.
11. Jewelry and Trinket Boxes: Designing and crafting small boxes for jewelry, keepsakes, and trinkets.
12. DIY Woodworking Kits: Assembling and selling kits that allow customers to build their own woodworking projects at home.
13. Woodturning: Producing turned wood items such as bowls, vases, and pens using a lathe.
14. Custom Closets and Storage Solutions: Designing and installing custom closet systems and other storage solutions.
15. Educational Workshops and Classes: Teaching woodworking skills through workshops, classes, or online tutorials.

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Electrical/Plumbing Repairs

Electrical and plumbing are essential services that are always in demand. Once trained in these areas, you can offer quick fixes in the evenings and weekends without taking up too much of your free time.

Ideas for Electrical and Plumbing Side Hustles

1. Lighting Installation: Installing indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, including chandeliers and recessed lighting.
2. Fixture Installation: Installing plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, faucets, and showerheads.
3. Outlet and Switch Installation: Adding or replacing electrical outlets, USB outlets, and switches.
4. Leak Detection and Repair: Finding and fixing leaks in pipes, faucets, and fixtures.
5. Drain Cleaning: Clearing clogged drains and sewer lines using professional equipment.
6. Ceiling Fan Installation: Setting up and wiring ceiling fans in homes and businesses.
7. Water Heater Installation and Repair: Installing, repairing, and maintaining tankless and traditional water heaters.
8. Troubleshooting and Repair: Diagnosing and fixing electrical issues such as faulty wiring, tripping breakers, and flickering lights.
9. Water Filtration System Installation: Setting up whole-house water filtration and softening systems.
10. Pipe Insulation: Insulating pipes to prevent freezing and improve energy efficiency.
11. Home Automation Setup: Installing smart home devices such as thermostats, lighting controls, and security systems.
12. Sump Pump Installation and Maintenance: Installing and maintaining sump pumps to prevent basement flooding.
13. Surge Protector Installation: Installing whole-house surge protectors to protect appliances and electronics from power surges.
14. Electrical Maintenance Services: Offering regular maintenance services to ensure electrical systems are functioning properly.
15. Water Pressure Adjustment: Diagnosing and fixing water pressure issues to ensure optimal performance.

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Each of these side hustles start small and scale up as demand grows, paving the way for a successful transition into a full-time trades business. By leveraging your skills and passions, you can create additional income streams and explore the potential for growth. Whether you aim to eventually replace your primary job or want to diversify your income, a side hustle offers flexibility and opportunity.

Ready to start your side hustle or take your business to the next level? Download our Free Small Business Start Guide For The Trades packed with essential tips and resources to help you get started.