So you want to start a home service business. Maybe you’ve been handy around the house for years and have always enjoyed working with your hands. Or you’re starting to get interested in home improvement and construction projects. Either way, one of the first things you’ll need to do is put together a portfolio of your work. But where do you start?

Here are ten projects that are perfect for building up your portfolio. These projects are all relatively simple and can be completed over a weekend. And best of all, they’re designed with the average man in mind. So even if you’re new to the world of home improvement, you should be able to handle them easily.

Build a Deck or Patio

Building a deck or patio is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add value to your home. Not only will this provide you with an outdoor space to enjoy, but it will also give potential buyers something extra to appreciate when considering your home.

This is great for building your portfolio if you’re starting your own business. You can take before and after pictures to show off your work and even offer this as a service to others. Just be sure to get all the necessary permits before you start building and that your equipment is up to par.

Paint a Room

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but a fresh coat of paint can brighten up a space. This is a great project to tackle if you’re starting out. It’s relatively simple and doesn’t require any special skills or training.

It would be best to start picking out colors and painting a wall or two in your home. Take this as a practice run and document the entire process. This will come in handy when trying to sell your services to others. Get familiar with the colors and combinations that work well together so you can offer this as one of your services. You must know what works and how to execute it before you can do it for someone else.

Install Crown Molding or Baseboards

This might be one of the more challenging projects, but it’s still something you can handle. If you’re feeling confident in your abilities, then go for it! Crown molding and baseboards can add a touch of class to any room. They’re also relatively easy to install if you have the right tools. Just be sure to measure twice and cut once.

Installing crown molding and baseboards is a great way to show off your skills; seeing the final product is rewarding. And potential clients will definitely appreciate the extra effort you’ve put into making their home look its best. Try learning how to personalize to your client’s taste, so you can give them what they want in the end.

Hang Drywall

You may have learned this skill in high school shop class, but hanging drywall is still a valuable skill to have. Not only will it come in handy when you’re working on your own home, but you can also offer this as a service to others. If you need some refresher, you can ask a friend or family member who knows how to hang drywall to help you out.

You can also find work as a drywall installer if you want to get started in the construction industry. This is a great way to build your portfolio and get some experience under your belt. Even if you know the workaround, it’s still best to learn from the pros to get that portfolio started.

Lay Tile

This seems easy when you watch a lot of videos online, but the truth is, it’s more challenging than it looks. Laying tile is a challenging project, but it’s one that you can definitely handle. You can start by tiling a small space in your home, such as a bathroom or kitchen backsplash. Then, once you’ve got the hang of it, you can move to a larger space.

If you want to offer this as a service, be sure to get some practice first. You can always find tile installation jobs through online classifieds or by word-of-mouth. Make sure you’re confident in your abilities before taking on a job. Remember that once the tile is laid, there’s no going back.

Build a Fence or Gate

One of the most lucrative services you can offer is fence and gate installation. This is a great way to get started in the construction industry, as it’s a relatively simple process. Start in your backyard by installing metal fence panels around your property.

When you have mastered this project, you can offer a solely-based service. Suppose you need more practice and knowledge about this project and service. In that case, there are several ways to get more experience. You can look for installation jobs through classified ads or by networking with people in the industry. You can also take on small projects for friends and family. Ensure you’re confident in your abilities before taking on anything too big.

Put in a Light Fixture

Chances are, you’ve done this before in your own home. But did you know that you can offer this as a service? Many people need to learn how to properly install a light fixture, so this is a great opportunity to showcase your skills.

You can learn how to properly connect electrical wiring if you have mastered this. This is a more complicated process, but it will really impress potential clients. Just be sure to follow all safety precautions when working with electricity.

Refinish Kitchen Cabinets or Bathroom Vanities

If you are a pro at this, you can offer a refinishing service to those who want to upgrade their cabinets or vanities without spending much money. You can do this by sanding down the existing finish, staining or painting the wood, and then adding a new coat of sealant.

If you have done this at home, then you know it’s a time-consuming process. But the results are worth it, and your clients will be very pleased with the result. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the project so you can take your time with it.

Start Building!

There you have it! Ten simple but impressive home improvement and construction projects are perfect for building your portfolio. You’ll be well on your way to starting your own home service business by completing just a few of these projects. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!