Are you thinking about starting a construction business and looking for profitable ideas you can launch without investing a lot of money?
Or are you an entrepreneur ready to make an investment to find your niche in one of the most lucrative industries in the world?
Either way, these 17 construction business ideas will give you a clue about what kinds of businesses, big or small, can generate a good profit in 2022 and beyond.
In this article...
Exterior Remodeling
The truth is that you can turn any of the ideas we list here into a small, medium, or large business, and each comes with a myriad of factors to consider.
However, for you, it all boils down to your ability to capitalize on either your skills, knowledge and experience, or your money, or preferably all of the above.
This is certainly true for exterior remodeling.
This business can range from, for instance, replacing only windows and doors on houses in your local area to remodeling entire building façades across the country using the latest materials and new technologies.
In the current situation, an increasing number of people find themselves unable to afford to buy or build new homes. Instead, people are opting to renovate and upgrade the one they have.
So, it might be advantageous to offer them a way to spruce up existing structures and get them looking like new.
Basement Remodeling
If you want to focus on just one aspect of interior remodeling and offer a specialized service, basement remodeling might be the right thing for you.
You’re probably wondering why you would give your business such a narrow scope.
Well, if there is a demand for basement remodeling in your area, your niched expertise could make you the go-to person for turning your clients’ cellars into additional living spaces or a separate apartment.
Here is an estimate of how much it costs to start a basement remodeling business in the U.S.
As you can see, expenses can range anywhere from $2,500 to $36,000.
Remember, in niche businesses like this, you can become a top expert quicker. And since this is a construction-related business, you’re sure to have no shortage of clients any time soon.
Painting Business
If you want to start a business that, in a micro context, has possibly the lowest startup costs while being very profitable, then interior/exterior painting could be the right fit for you.
It is an undertaking you could successfully do on your own, or with a small number of employees.
If you decide to start your adventure as a solo act and have no previous experience, consider taking up an apprenticeship or attending a professional painting course.
Naturally, if you’re thinking of starting a large painting company, you’ll also need business or management experience in this field.
If you make it in this business, it could actually be rewarding for you to watch paint dry.
In any case, a painting business is an excellent choice if you’re just getting into the construction business. It’s a job every new homeowner needs done, so it is definitely worth considering.
Cement Manufacturing
While painting is relatively easy to get into, in terms of starting a business, cement manufacturing can be quite a challenge.
Opening your own cement manufacturing plant is a major investment that requires careful consideration of aspects such as size, location, cost of land, labor and raw materials, among other things.
However, if you succeed, the returns could outweigh the investment several times over.
Why?
Because cement is one of the key construction materials and everybody needs it.
Whether we’re talking about loose cement, solid bricks or hollow blocks, clients will look to source it locally.
Here is a capital cost estimation of opening a cement factory in the U.S. calculated in USD per ton.
One thing’s for sure: if you offer a competitive price, you’re not going to have any problems finding buyers.
Concrete Supply Business
Like cement production, starting a concrete supply business, like, for instance, a concrete manufacturing plant, requires prudent planning and a moderate to sizable capital investment.
However, in the case of ready-mixed wet concrete, we’re usually talking about a small to medium-scale business focused on a particular local market.
The reason?
You can’t transport wet concrete too far, so contractors are prompted to look for a local solution.
This means that it’s even more important for ready-mixed concrete to be sourced locally than it is for cement.
You should research the local market and identify the demand and the competition first.
After that, consider that your startup options include both static and mobile concrete production plants.
Once you establish good working relationships with the construction companies in your area, money could be pouring in.
Plumbing Business
Did you know that plumbers are some of the happiest people you can meet?
A survey of employees revealed that plumbers are among the happiest people in the U.K.—55% said they were ‘very happy’ In life.
Add to that the fact that plumbing is another staple of the construction industry and you may have a recipe for success on your hands.
As they say, no house or building is complete without a good plumbing job.
If you’re a plumber, you could either offer your services to local homeowners or focus on working on commercial projects.
One benefit of going local is that, when plumbing accidents happen, people will need your services as quickly as possible and won’t be too nitpicky about the price.
Moreover, if you do your job well, it won’t be long before word of mouth becomes your main form of advertising, as your clients will start recommending you to others.
Pool Service Business
A pool service business is another idea that requires only a small initial investment, yet can be quite profitable.
Of course, it requires training and hands-on experience, usually obtained through apprenticeships.
The scope of training depends on whether you’re providing pool cleaning services only ($55 per hour in 2019) or equipment maintenance and repair as well (up to $200 per hour).
You should be aware that your venture also depends on the climate in your area of operation.
In other words, if it’s conducted in the right area, somewhere hot enough, pool service can be a year-long business—otherwise, it is a rather seasonal one.
So, take that into consideration if you’re thinking about going into this field.
Pool service is a niche business, but the clients are usually quite well-off, so this could be another simple yet lucrative business idea for you to consider.
Paving Business
Let’s first provide some clarity on what paving is.
It is the action of laying or covering a surface with paving material (such as asphalt, concrete, stones, bricks, or tiles).
So, it’s clear that everyone needs some type of paving, whether it’s driveways for family homes or parking lots for large shopping centers.
The startup costs for this business can be relatively low, and it can be combined with other outdoor services such as landscaping, exterior remodeling, etc.
This means you can start small and pave your way to bigger things.
Who knows, you might end up owning a fleet of paving machines working on jobs across the country.
In any case, at a certain point, you will have to start tracking your machinery for improved scheduling and maintenance, as well as higher efficiency overall.
When you get to that stage, it’s a good idea to invest in asset tracking software, like GoCodes, to keep a close eye on all of your valuable equipment.
Sandblasting Business
Sandblasting is a specialized field, but it’s always required for final touches or maintenance.
A lot of materials need sandblasting, from brick houses to large metal constructions like bridges, which means your client pool is diverse.
The Startup costs for a small sandblasting business are quite low and can range between $2,000 and $10,000. Plus, this is a business that can be operated from home and done on a part-time basis.
That’s good to know because it means that you can keep your day job until your sandblasting business becomes self-sufficient.
Running this kind of business also requires specific skills and expertise, so some training might be necessary before you decide to make the leap.
If you decide to do it, consider opting for a mobile sandblasting service, with portable equipment for easy transportation from one location to the next. That way, you’ll have access to a wider circle of clients.
Solar Panel Installation
As alternative energy rises in popularity, installing solar panels can be a lucrative venture. In fact, as solar power gains momentum in the U.S., the need for experts in the field rises accordingly.
What’s more, solar power is incentivized by the government in the U.S. and many other countries.
This has boosted the popularity of solar panels, expanding your potential client base.
In this niche, startup costs can vary significantly depending on your expertise, business plan, and initial investment size.
Therefore, one good option is to look for franchise opportunities. Although solar business franchises usually charge a fee and require a hefty initial investment, they also have a reasonably quick return on investment.
Remember, as time goes on, renewable energy will become increasingly more common around us.
And that means new business opportunities for construction-related companies.
Roofing Services
This business is evergreen because everyone needs a roof over their head.
They also need it maintained, repaired, and eventually replaced.
The range of roofing services is as long as the list of different types of roofs, materials, coatings, systems, etc. In other words, it’s practically endless.
Here are just a few examples, ranked by size:
- Local independent roofing handyman who provides gutter cleaning, repairs and maintenance, shingles restoration, and leak repairs
- Regional roofing company that works as a contractor on commercial projects
- National multimillion-dollar company that installs industrial roofs
You can focus your business on commercial or residential work or do both.
Either way, solar panel installation, which we’ve covered in the previous section, often comes as a natural extension of this business.
Roofing services are one of the most diverse construction businesses out there. So if you like a bit of color in your everyday work, roofing might be a good fit for you.
Floor Maintenance Business
In general, floor maintenance is often one of the more profitable business ideas associated with the construction industry.
This is especially true when it comes to hard floor maintenance.
For example, your company could offer the preventative and restorative maintenance of solid or engineered hardwood floors.
Or you could go the other way and focus on natural stone flooring: marbles and tiles.
As for starting costs, the bare minimum for a solo player can be under $2,000.
Whatever you decide, be mindful of your reputation in this business, and keep innovating, since new materials and technologies are quickly evolving.
After all, just try to remember what the floors in your childhood home looked like compared to the flooring found in modern homes, and it will become clear what level of advancement can be expected in this industry.
The floors are one of the first things you’ll notice whenever you enter a new space. It only makes sense that people will be very particular about their flooring, meaning that for a contractor with a good eye for aesthetics, this is a good field to get into.
Aluminum Products Manufacturing
The manufacturing of aluminum products is so vast and diverse that it’s hard to know where to start.
So, we’ll give you a small-scale and a large-scale example.
Let’s say you’re aiming for a low to modest investment in your business.
The price of lower-end machines for the production and processing of aluminum windows and doors can be anywhere between $1,000 and $100,000.
You will also need several months of training.
Now, let’s say you’ve got expertise and experience in this field and have partners ready to invest a sizeable sum.
Then the price of, for instance, a high-end factory for aluminum profiles and components can run in millions.
All in all, this is another very diverse field to jump into.
However, beware that manufacturing aluminum products is a business dependent on expensive machinery, so be sure your finances can support your dream before you make the leap.
Carpentry Business
When it comes to carpenters, skilled ones are always in demand.
This profession, which includes high levels of physical activity, offers many rewards, both in terms of the variety of work and financial gains.
Carpentry is another construction industry staple that covers almost as many specialized professions as there are types of wood.
To name just a few:
- Cabinet makers. They build custom cabinets for kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
- Rough carpenters. They plan, build and maintain framing, roofing and other wooden structures of a building
- Bridge carpenters. They specialize in building or producing wood components for bridges
What’s more, carpenters are often the masters of their craft, carving incredible forms and structures with a simple set of tools.
Therefore, this is a career path that may take years of training before you become a true master.
So, if this is a niche that interests you, but you haven’t had the opportunity to do much work with wood so far, try to find an apprenticeship and start developing your skills.
If you want to become a master, the sooner you start training, the better.
Door Business
Installing doors is another kind of business that offers almost endless opportunities for making a profit.
Depending on the type of doors you decide to offer, you can combine this business with at least the two ideas mentioned just above.
Namely, in the case of wooden doors, carpentry may come in handy. Wooden doors are quite ubiquitous in private homes and are sometimes incredibly ornate and intricate.
These are the types of doors that can fetch a pretty handsome profit for the right contractor.
On the other hand, manufacturing and installing aluminum doors and gates can be a great add-on to your aluminum profile business.
Currently, booming niches include security doors, uPVC doors and sliding doors in the U.S., wood-based doors in Europe, and hinged doors in the Asia Pacific region.
As you can see, in this business, a lot depends on the materials used and the needs of the client.
This also means that, as long as you define your target market and your preferred materials, it shouldn’t be very hard to carve out your own niche and make a name for yourself.
Borehole Drilling Business
Yes, drilling water wells can be a lucrative business.
For example, drilling is done in areas where there is a need for drinking or irrigation water, or as a part of construction site preparations for large commercial projects.
Therefore, it isn’t hard to imagine how much business could be coming your way if you start a borehole drilling company.
After all, grand-scale construction projects are common everywhere you turn and borehole drilling isn’t as competitive as some of the other items on our list.
The big bucks are actually in the residential sector of this industry.
It would be impossible to build residential areas without access to water, and well-drilling companies are often among the first to break the ground on new projects, so to speak.
Additional options include geothermal system installation, environmental drilling and site remediation.
Keep in mind that, if you’re going to do the drilling, this job requires professional training. You can add that to the minimum starting costs, which can be between $3,000 and $36,000.
Site Clearing
We’ve come to the end of our list, and it’s time to clear the slate: site clearing may just be the most profitable idea here.
With sustainability and recycling rapidly coming into focus around the world, the construction industry has received a lot of attention (and criticism) due to improperly recycling waste and debris left on construction sites.
This is where you come in.
You can offer site clearing services before or after a construction job, or daily, after the other activities on the worksite are done.
Furthermore, a lot of the materials that are a part of a construction site can be recycled. This means that you can separate waste and sell it in recycling markets.
That way, you can create a second source of income, on top of the money you’re making offering your clearing services.
This business usually requires a moderate investment in equipment and workforce.
If you think it could work out, don’t waste this opportunity.
Conclusion
The business ideas we’ve listed here are varied and cover all aspects of the construction industry. And yet, they’re just a taste of what this industry offers.
With the expected growth of 42% in this decade and the rise of new materials and technologies, the future of the global construction industry looks very promising.
Naturally, there is a big difference between, let’s say, starting a pool cleaning service, investing in solar panel installation, or building a cement factory.
Our goal with listing these ideas was to give you food for thought, ignite your curiosity and provoke further research.
Your choice will depend on a number of factors, ranging from the needs of your target market and your available budget, to your affinities.
However, whichever of these options you choose, your chances of succeeding are high.
Good luck!
