Are you a skilled tradesperson looking for a way to boost your income outside of your day job? Whether you’re an electrician, plumber, carpenter, or HVAC technician, there are countless opportunities to start a side hustle and earn extra cash. Below are five easy side hustles you can start today to add to your bottom line.
1. Offer Home Inspections
Home inspections are a critical step in the home buying process, and many homebuyers will pay good money to have a trusted professional conduct a thorough inspection. If you’re a skilled tradesperson with experience in plumbing, electrical systems, or HVAC, you can offer your services as a home inspector on the side. Home inspection fees can vary depending on the size and complexity of the home, but the average cost is around $350. And with over 7 million homes sold in the US in 2020 alone, there’s no shortage of potential clients.
2. Start a Handyman Business
Another great way to earn extra income in skilled trades is to start a handyman business on the side. As a skilled tradesperson, you likely have the skills and expertise to tackle a variety of small repair and maintenance jobs around the house, such as fixing leaky faucets, patching drywall, or replacing light fixtures. By marketing yourself as a handyman, you can tap into a vast market of homeowners looking for reliable, trustworthy help with their household chores. Depending on the job, you can charge anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour.
3. Offer Consultations
If you’re a skilled tradesperson with years of experience under your belt, you can also offer consultations to people looking to learn more about your trade. For example, if you’re an electrician, you could offer consultations to homeowners looking to upgrade their home’s electrical system. Or if you’re a carpenter, you could offer consultations on woodworking techniques or custom furniture design. The opportunities are endless, and you can charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour for your expertise.
4. Sell Crafted Goods
Many skilled tradespeople also have a creative side and enjoy crafting goods in their spare time. If that sounds like you, consider selling your handmade items on a platform like Etsy. Some popular crafts for skilled tradespeople include woodworking, pottery, and metalworking. With over 82 million active buyers on Etsy, there’s a huge market for unique, hand-crafted items, and you can set your prices according to your materials and time spent.
5. Start a YouTube Channel
Finally, if you enjoy teaching others and have a knack for video production, starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to share your expertise and earn extra income. You can create videos on a variety of topics related to your trade, from tutorials on specific techniques to reviews of new tools and equipment. As your channel grows and you gain more subscribers, you can monetize your videos through advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Bottom Line
As a skilled tradesperson, there are countless opportunities to earn extra income on the side. Whether you choose to offer consultations, start a handyman business, sell crafted goods, or start a YouTube channel, the key is to tap into your unique skills and expertise and market yourself accordingly. With a little effort and dedication, you can build a successful side hustle and add to your bottom line.
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> Inaccuracies with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data: Many of our blog posts will quote BLS data. SkilledTradeRescue.com has been able to identify that data quoted specifically for Skilled Trades can be as much as 50% LOW in many USA labor markets. For more information on these inaccuracies please visit the STR national labor survey page at the link below. On this page there is a video containing the latest information at the top of the page as well as other information. If you currently work in skilled trades, PLEASE consider participating in our national labor survey.
