7 LOW COST Home-Based Businesses To Start ($1000 or Less)

Let’s say you want to start a home-based business and you have a thousand dollars to invest. You want a work-from-home business with the time freedom and opportunity to succeed owning a business affords. But you just have no idea where to start. Don’t worry we have got you covered.

I want to tell you about 7 home-based business ideas – one of which may be perfect for you to start with a thousand dollars. With some basic legwork at the beginning, one of these businesses could be your gateway to break the 9-to-5 cycle.

I’ve had a successful remote business for over a decade now. It’s given me the luxury to pursue my interests in a way that wouldn’t have happened in a traditional job. And you may want what a home-based business can give you to you and your family.

#1 Lawn Mowing

The startup costs for a lawn mowing business are very low but it has the potential to generate great revenue. As soon as you start making money, you can reinvest it into your business to buy a better mower, a truck, a trailer, and additional equipment. Lawn care is easy and inexpensive to start, which makes it a good business investment. To succeed, you need an advertising plan (think flyers in a local neighborhood), a small investment for equipment, and a passion for providing a good service.

According to UpFlip, the first year of running a lawn care business can earn about $5,000 to $50,000, and after a few years, owners can earn as much as $160,000 to $250,000. Long-term, this seems like a pretty good investment for you considering how much you’re starting with.

Lawn Mowing Sample Startup Budget

Lawnmower: $250-$500
Weedeater: $100
Leaf Blower $100
Various Hand Tools $100
Business Registration: $250
Total: $800-1050

#2 Website Design

If you know how to build websites, you can start a website design business from home. What makes website creation profitable? First and foremost, websites are always in demand. New companies launch every month and existing businesses want to improve their own websites. Moreover, as you gain expertise in web design and expand your business by offering complimentary services.

According to Editor X, experienced website designers often charge between $50 to $80 per hour – that’s good money. As for where to pick up clients, many new website designers start on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Once you get established and are good at what you do, you can charge more and get more gigs.

Website Design Sample Startup Budget

Computer: $450
Software: $200
Internet: $50/mo
Business Registration: $250
Total: $950

#3 Cleaning Houses

The cleaning business can be very lucrative. There’s always homes to be cleaned and you can usually find people to do it. The best part is that your upfront investment is very low, especially if you’re willing to do a lot of the work yourself. Rags, bags, scrub brushes, and cleansers are the only tools you’ll need to get the job done. Similar to lawn mowing, your business will require marketing to attract the right clientele. You can get started in residential cleaning much more easily than in commercial cleaning – but you can expand to commercial businesses in the future. For those who want to invest their first thousand dollars on something easy and profitable, this might be a good option.

House Cleaning Business Sample Startup Budget

Cleaning equipment and products $250
Business Insurance $500
Business Licenses $250
Total: ~$1000

#4 Custom Photography

If you have experience with photography, maybe you should start a home-based photography business. According to PetaPixel, annual revenues from the photography industry amount to $10 billion! If you’re just starting out, you may need to decide whether you’ll specialize in one niche or be a jack of all trades. When you specialize, you can focus your marketing efforts more easily and land follow-up assignments outside of your niche as well. Starting out as a custom photographer will require a camera and some basic equipment. For clients, you could advertise with friends and family and ask for referrals after that.

Photography Business Sample Startup Budget

Camera bundle: $600
Business Licenses $250
Total: $850

#5 Tech Consulting

The IT consulting industry can be lucrative. According to IBISWorld, this industry is expected to generate $546.9 billion in revenue in 2022. It is also a professional route that allows for customization and freedom. Your IT consulting business can focus on a number of different areas. It doesn’t matter whether you offer managed IT services, hardware repair, software consulting, or cloud services. Hardware or software is the first investment you need to make if you want to invest your money. A computer and some basic office supplies are essential, as are insurance policies in case of an emergency. The first step to growing your business is to market it. You need to build relationships with key decision makers at companies in order to scale your tech consulting business. Meet decision makers. Connect with people at conferences and events by helping a few startups. Once you build your network, you’ll see how your one thousand dollars is well spent.

Tech Consulting Business Sample Startup Budget

Business Insurance: $500
Business Registration: $250
(Budget assumes you own a computer already.)
Total: $750

Read more on: starterstory.com

#6 Mobile Game Developer

Many people may be unaware that mobile game development is an extremely profitable niche. According to the Business of Apps, annual app and game revenues were $133 billion in 2021. That’s billion with a “b.” Of course, developing a high-quality mobile app will require start up capital. Even with only a thousand dollars, you can start developing a small mobile game with microtransactions and grow your business from there. Or better yet to keep your expenses low (under $1000), you can get started as a freelancer building apps for other companies. Search on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr to find well-paying mobile app development gigs.

Mobile Game Developer Sample Startup Budget

Computer: $450
Business Licenses $250
Total: $700

#7 Dog Walking

There are many types of pet care like grooming, boarding, and doggie day care. All of those can be profitable, home-based businesses. But the one that’s really taking off and is easy to get started is dog walking. Depending on where you live (you need to be in an urban or suburban area), you sign up on one of the dog walking services like Rover or Wag! And you could get started as soon as you’re approved. And the nice thing is the startup cost will be a mobile phone and phone service to book jobs on the app.

Dog Walking Business Sample Startup Budget

Mobile phone: $200
Phone service: $50/mo
Total: $250 (or less)