Full Throttle Start-Up Newsletter

Challenges and Opportunities for 2025:
Exciting Times for Home Services

For our second issue, we’re exploring what 2025 might hold for starting or growing a home services business. Whether you’re building fences, power-washing driveways, or doing handyman work, 2025 will bring lots of opportunities and a few bumps along the way.

The Challenges Coming Our Way

1. Rising Costs of Materials and Equipment.

It seems like the things we need to buy are getting more expensive daily. That is the same with the items we need to purchase as small business owners. Tools, materials, and gas prices will most likely keep increasing.

Here’s what you can do about this

• Get friendly with local suppliers and ask about bulk discounts. If you have room and the budget, stocking up on common supplies can help reduce the overall cost by taking advantage of bulk discounts and paying today’s price on something you will need later this year, saving you some money.

• Take good care of your equipment to make it last longer. Maintaining your tools and keeping the oil changed and air filters clean on motorizd equipment may seem like a small thing but it can go a long way in preventing you to have to replace in sooner than you would have otherwise had to.

• Be smart about pricing your jobs—cover your costs, but don’t scare off customers. Inflation is real and you shouldn’t be expected to eat the cost. As your materials and labor costs go up, your prices will also have to go up. As long as you keep the quality of your work high and your customer relationships are strong, most people will understand the increase.

2. Higher Customer Expectations

Speaking of keeping your relationship with the customer strong, homeowners do their homework these days. They’ll ask about your materials, your process, and even how you’re handling waste. Customers want quality, eco-friendly solutions and good communication.

How to Tackle Rising Costs

• Go green! When possible, use eco-friendly products and show you’re serious about sustainability. In coming issues, I will discuss some great eco-friendly businesses to start, including a completely battery-powered lawn care business—from trucks to mowers to Blowers, they are all electric. Another example is home cleaning services that only use eco-friendly, low- or no-VOC, and pet-friendly chemicals to clean the home.

• Keep customers in the loop—text updates, clear timelines, and before-and-after photos of each job can go a long way in gaining your customers' trust. I would always recommend them to help you in the future if any of your work is brought into question. Photos also go a long way in promoting your work to future clients.

• Always ask for feedback. When you're finished and you know the client is happy, ask for a Google review. They go a long way and help you gain new clients. It’ll help you improve and show customers you care.
  I am working on a detailed newsletter covering all the details of how to use Google best to help promote and build your business.

Opportunities Worth Going After

Homes in the U.S. and Canada are getting older. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the median age of houses in the U.S. is over 40 years old. As these homes age, the need for maintenance and upgrades is growing fast; That’s the bad news for homeowners. The good news for you is that that means business opportunities abound!

1. Eco-Friendly Services

People love businesses that care about the environment. Electric tools, water-saving practices, and even offering to recycle old materials can make your business stand out.

2. Seasonal Services

There’s always something homeowners need, depending on the season. Think gutter cleaning in the fall, snow removal in winter, or lawn care prep in the spring. Timing is everything.

3. Senior-Focused Services

As the population ages, there’s a growing demand for services like accessibility upgrades, downsizing help, and routine maintenance tailored to older homeowners.

What’s New for 2025?

Here are just a few service businesses that are trending up and looking to be very profitable in the coming years.

1. Drones for Inspections

Everything costs more money these days, especially home ownership. It is vital to avoid costly mistakes when purchasing a home, and as a result, many people are opting for full home inspections before purchasing.

Imagine inspecting a roof or tall tree with a drone instead of a ladder. Drones are safer and quicker and can impress customers with their detailed views.

2. Smart Tech Installations

With smart homes becoming the norm, offering services like device installations and troubleshooting could be a game-changer as a business. Everything is becoming connected these days, from your thermostat and doorbell camera to your kitchen appliances and even hot water leak detection; there are so many options today that homeowners are looking for help with selection and installation.

We will be exploring this business opportunity in some upcoming issues.

3. Aging In-Place Services

With the increasing desire for seniors to age comfortably in familiar surroundings and the rising costs of assisted living facilities, demand for these services is projected to grow significantly.

This business focuses on helping older adults live independently and safely in their homes by providing accessibility upgrades like wheelchair ramps, grab bars, stair lifts, and walk-in tubs, as well as consulting on home modifications to enhance mobility and safety.

This is another business that could actually branch off into several smaller, more niche ideas and still provide a full time income. We will be going deep into this one as well.

Looking Ahead

Although it has it’s challenges, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for home services. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your business, staying flexible and open to new ideas is key. There are plenty of opportunities for those willing to adapt and put in the effort.

Here’s to making 2025 your best year yet!

Tim