Consumer services

Aerial installers install, upgrade and repair domestic and commercial aerial systems, frequently working at height in all weathers. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own aerial installation business.

Beauty salons offer a range of treatments including sunbeds, hair removal, weight loss, facials and manicures. Some therapists work from home or are mobile. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own beauty business.

Boarding kennels offer pet boarding services to owners that are going on holiday or who want their animals cared for during the day when they're at work. Check out our guide for starting and running your own animal boarding business.

Theft is still a big problem in many areas and home and business owners are willing to invest in security devices to protect their property. Our guide gives you the essentials for starting up and running your own alarm fitting business.

Childminders care for young children in their own homes and there are strict rules covering the number of children they're allowed to look after. Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own childminding business.

Sweeping chimneys and providing related chimney services is an important safety service, demand for which has been boosted by the popularity of log burners. Read our guide to help you to start up and run your own chimney sweeping business.

Clothing hire businesses supply formal wear, work wear, sports wear and even fancy dress to a range of different customers. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own clothes hire business.

Demand for day nurseries is steadily growing, boosted by more people working and by tax breaks to make childcare more affordable. Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own day nursery.

As a skilled dressmaker you are likely to offer a range of services, from creating bespoke outfits for weddings and other occasions to repairs and alterations. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dressmaking business.

Driving instructors train learner drivers to pass their driving tests and may also provide other post-test services like motorway driving tuition. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own driving school.

Dry cleaning businesses clean textile items that can't be wet washed. Some position themselves as 'multi-service' outlets to attract as many customers as possible. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own dry cleaners.

Estate agents earn commission from selling houses and may also generate extra fees from other services like lettings, valuations and surveys. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own estate agency.

Funeral directors take on the responsibility of organising every element of a person's funeral, including dealing with the relevant authorities. Read our practical guide to starting up and running your own funeral business.

If you're practical and knowledgeable about antiques, setting up as a furniture restorer could be right for you. Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own restoration business.

Garden services businesses offer a wide range of different services from lawn mowing and other maintenance work to full garden design and landscaping. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own garden services business.

Hairdressers typically work from their own salon but may also rent a chair in an existing salon or operate as an exclusively mobile hairdresser. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own hairdressing business.

Key cutters produce duplicate keys from originals or codes, mostly for domestic customers but sometimes for trade customers too. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

Language schools teach English to foreign students and schools with students from all over the world are more heavily regulated than those with only EU students. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own school.

Running a launderette could be a success if you're located in an area with lots of potential customers like students. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

Our stressful lives mean lots of people need professional help to achieve their goals. If you've got good people skills, life coaching could be for you. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own business.

Thinking of setting up as a locksmith? You'll need good practical and mechanical skills and be prepared to work in different business and domestic settings. Check out our practical guide for starting and running your own business.

The growing male grooming market could make this the ideal time to set up your own salon. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

You'll need plenty of working capital if you want to sell new motorcycles so many dealers choose to only sell second hand machines. Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own motorcycle retailing business.

Operating as a pawnbroker can be complex and you'll need plenty of capital when you first start up. Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own pawnbroking business.

As a qualified and experienced fitness instructor you might decide to set up as a personal trainer, helping clients to achieve their fitness goals. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

They say there are more rats than humans and this means plenty of work for businesses offering pest control services! Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your own pest control business.

People look on their pets as one of the family and are prepared to spend a lot of money on them. This is good news for the pet grooming sector. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own pet grooming business.

If you're a trained and experienced photographer you might decide to set up in business on your own, for example specialising in weddings. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

You'll need practical skills to set up as a picture framer and you might also have a specialist picture framing qualification. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own picture framing business in our practical guide.

The difficulties for first time buyers trying to get on the property ladder have boosted the residential lettings market. Read our in-depth practical guide to starting up and running your own residential lettings business.

The shoe repair market is very competitive and independents may need to offer other services like key cutting. If you're thinking of setting up your own shoe repair business, read our guide for practical help and guidance.

Thinking of running a tanning centre? Remember that the focus now is on safe tanning and under-18s can't use commercial sunbeds. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tanning business.

Tattoos are very fashionable, so if you're interested in tattoos and have good artistic skills running a tattoo studio might be a good choice for you. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tattoo business.

If you're thinking of setting up as an upholsterer will you focus on antique or modern furniture? Our guide gives you all the essentials for starting up and running your upholstery business.

Working safely at height is very important if you're planning to offer window cleaning services and it's a good idea to get some training. Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your window cleaning business.