The 25 Best Boring Businesses That Make Money In 2024

Setting up a company can be fraught with challenges, but the best boring businesses avoid many common pitfalls to deliver a consistent cash flow.

Whether managing residential and commercial properties or running pest control services, most boring businesses allow for a hands-off approach with a steady income.

This guide covers 25 of the most popular boring businesses in 2024, breaking down everything from startup costs to profit margins.

The 25 Best Boring Businesses That Make Money In 2024

Boring businesses are widespread in most economies, delivering tried-and-trusted essential services that cater to a wide range of industries.

With potentially low startup costs and constant demand from customers, boring businesses offer investors financial freedom and long-term growth.

So, to help you invest your time and energy, here are the 25 best boring businesses you can set up to make money in 2024:

What Are Boring Businesses?

The term “boring business” might seem off-putting on the surface, but dig a little deeper, and it offers many advantages for generating a steady income.

Put simply, boring businesses offer a range of services that can be easily set up and scaled over time with minimal interaction.

These core services are typically in high demand, from commercial cleaning services to waste management companies.

Like the best businesses that run themselves, they offer opportunities for expansion by adding more locations in local and national territories.

While setting up a cutting-edge tech startup might be more appealing to some, boring businesses can be established and operated with fewer headaches.

They also offer minimal risks, operating in proven, tried-and-tested industries known for recurring revenue and a loyal customer base.

Likewise, many successful boring businesses are immune to broader economic trends and less likely to take a hit when the markets take a downturn.

This consistency makes them ideal for those looking to set up their own business and avoid both short- and long-term stability, regardless of economic trends.

Why Choose A Boring Business?

There are several good reasons why people choose to invest in a boring business, whether managing residential and commercial customers or establishing a cleaning business.

We’ve touched briefly on their relative immunity from the economy’s uncertainties and how they always maintain steady demand.

A boring business idea is one that also functions within a standardized framework of operations, reducing uncertainty and approaches to business processes.

This allows people to set up boring businesses without any ambiguity about the requirements and also makes the target market clear.

With plenty of competitor companies to research, approaching boring business opportunities can be done with a firm footing in established strategies.

Affordable resources to help set up boring businesses are also available to reduce uncertainty and keep initial startup costs as low as possible.

There are plenty of budget-friendly website builder templates that can be used to get an online presence up and running for marketing purposes.

This can be used to drive promotional campaigns for local businesses, allowing business owners to scale over time and generate passive income.

Likewise, boring businesses can be run with a hands-off approach, with owners able to hire other staff to perform the legwork for them.

The 25 Best Boring Businesses That Make Money In 2024

We’ve outlined the core definitions of boring businesses and what makes them so appealing to investors who want a low-risk source of passive income.

Let’s place these principles in their full context with an exploration of some of the most popular boring businesses that make money through essential services.

Here’s our list of the 25 best boring business ideas to start in 2024:

25. Office Supplies

While the transition to digital services has negatively impacted the office supplies industry, there are still opportunities for profits.

The best way to earn money selling office supplies is to set up an online presence and ship the products directly to your customers.

You can do this by establishing a site with a website builder and employing the dropshipping model to save money on storage and shipping.

It can be combined with other services, such as offering graphic design and printing services, provided you have the equipment and experience needed.

24. Asphalt & Paving

The construction industry provides many opportunities for boring businesses to collaborate on a range of commercial and residential projects.

One way to do this is by offering asphalt and paving services to supplement the construction industry’s building and infrastructure requirements.

While initial costs can be relatively high, once you’ve acquired the machinery and access to supplies, it offers regular work with a steady income.

New technologies are also enhancing the asphalt and paving industry, transforming old tires into paving bricks for an eco-friendly manufacturing approach.

23. Gyms

Optimizing health and fitness is an increasingly popular preoccupation for many people, with the rise of gyms aiming to meet this growing demand.

Once their initial business operations are established, gyms generate recurring revenue daily and can earn thousands of dollars per week.

You’ll need to consider costs such as renting your space and purchasing equipment and salaries for your personal trainers and administration.

Research other gyms and see how they run their online presence, finding out who designed a website to see if they can help you get started.

22. Handyman

There is no shortage of work required to fix and maintain residential and commercial properties in your local area by offering handyman services.

Indeed, becoming a handyman is one of the best small business ideas for people with knowledge and experience in construction and repairs.

You can work with private interests or offer your handyman services to larger commercial spaces for consistent work through long-term contracts.

With an average revenue exceeding $600,000 and a steady demand and market growth, it’s a great boring business that guarantees recurring revenue.

21. Septic Tank Services

Another boring business idea that attracts constant customer demand is setting up septic tank services in your local area.

The industry, from installations to maintenance and repairs, is expected to enjoy exponential growth over the coming years.

As a provider of septic tank services, you’ll be working with property owners and commercial businesses to empty and repair septic tanks.

Since septic tanks need regular desludging, it’s a clear opportunity for regular work through ongoing contracts with a list of clients.

20. Errand Services

While some boring businesses allow you to earn passive income from the comfort of your home, others expect a more active level of participation.

If you enjoy getting out and about, you can set up errand services to help others save time and effort in their daily lives.

There’s an extensive demographic looking for errand services, ranging from busy professionals to parents looking for help with grocery shopping.

You can advertise locally, choosing a strong business name to stand out from the competition and become a reliable errand service in your area.

19. Tanning Salons

Like gyms, tanning salons are ubiquitous in most modern cities and are also referred to as solariums in some areas.

Many businesses in this field offer subscription services for their customers, guaranteeing a consistent source of income throughout the year.

Since customers are left to their own devices once they enter the door, tanning salons require minimum staff and maintenance costs.

You can advertise your services online by setting up a website and designing a logo that captures the essence of your business model.

18. Senior Care

With the world facing an increasingly aging population, the demand for senior care services has never been higher than today.

Forecasts predict a huge increase in the senior care market over the coming years, making it a compelling industry for those looking for quick profits.

Typically, senior care businesses are tied to property rental, which means setting up the business with access to an established senior care facility.

You don’t need prior experience working in care to get set up and can hire healthcare professionals to manage and attend to your facility’s residents

17. Franchises

Franchises operate across a huge spectrum of industries by taking an established business model with successful daily operations.

This makes them ideal opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to bypass the trial-and-error phase and jump straight to business growth.

Before committing your time and money, you should research franchising trends to see which ones offer high demand and long-term resilience.

This will help you to invest where there is less competition, with a faster time to revenue and an attractive, competitive annual growth rate.

16. Rental Properties

If you already have experience working in the real estate industry, you can use this knowledge to make money dealing with rental properties.

Likewise, those with an established property portfolio can use these assets for recurring revenue while also enjoying appreciating assets.

Many of the best rental business ideas also have exceptional average profit margins exceeding 20%, bolstered by competitive annual market growth rates.

With the demand for housing exceeding the supply, running a rental property company is a boring business that is unlikely to wane any time soon.

15. HVAC & Plumbing Services

Another popular boring business idea for people with hands-on, practical experience is running HVAC and plumbing services in your local area.

A more specialized alternative to becoming a general handyman, these services are in constant demand for both residential homes and business properties.

Since plumbing and HVAC services require specialized skills to perform, they offer high earning potential and impressive job security.

By building a strong reputation for delivering outstanding results, you can acquire regular clients and expand your business through word of mouth.

14. Power Washing

Power washing services are among the best boring business ideas that can be easily scaled with minimal investment of time and effort.

Typically set up as owner-operator structures, they can generate consistent revenue by establishing contracts with local commercial businesses.

This can include offering services on a monthly or quarterly basis and specifically targeting commercial businesses that have to deal with dirt accumulation.

13. Funeral Services

A well-known expression about the two certainties in life, “death and taxes,” rings true regardless of how the world changes.

This makes setting up funeral services virtually recession-proof, with potentially high annual revenue delivering planning and burial services.

Initial setup costs can be high, and facilities, equipment, licenses, and other factors must be considered before starting your own funeral services.

You’ll also need to establish an online presence and create a website design timeline that includes marketing efforts and outlining your services.

12. Landscaping

One of the best side hustles for paying off debt for people with a passion for gardening is setting up a landscaping business in their local area.

Landscaping companies service a range of clients, from residential properties to commercial offices and other private businesses.

This variety of clients makes it a great opportunity for those who want to start small and expand over time as they acquire more knowledge and resources.

11. Junk Removal

There is no shortage of people looking to offload their unwanted junk and waste but don’t have the time to handle the task themselves.

Setting up a junk removal service allows you to meet this high demand, charging customers by the load and shipping it to a local dump.

Additional income is also possible by reselling junk, such as scrap metal, or renovating and reselling old furniture.

10. ATMs

Setting up ATMs in commercial venues such as shopping centers and on the high street is another popular boring business idea worth considering.

Like other scalable business ideas, there’s no limitation on how many locations you can add ATMs and expand your business over time.

While annual revenue isn’t as high as with other businesses, the hands-off approach makes it incredibly appealing for those seeking a passive income.

If you can land contracts to install ATMs in places such as casinos, you can anticipate an impressive cash flow for very little time and effort.

9. Pest Control

Invasive insects and other pests are a perennial concern for property owners of all descriptions, from homeowners to companies with large office spaces.

Pest control services are predictably in high demand, with seasonal work opportunities as well as potential ongoing contracts with clients.

You’ll need a background in entomology, good interpersonal skills when dealing with clients, and the relevant equipment to deal with pests.

Setting up a website will help you reach more customers, and you can use a blog website builder to showcase your knowledge and expertise.

8. Vending Machines

Setting up a vending machine business in your local territory is a similar boring business to installing and maintaining ATMs.

Vending machines are used to sell all types of products, from snacks and drinks to essential goods such as toiletries, at motels and amusement parks.

You’ll need money to invest in the machines and products, as well as trucks to ship and install the vending machines at your chosen locations.

With the market for vending machines continuing to expand, it’s one of the most secure boring business ideas you can adopt.

7. Accounting & Bookkeeping

Those with a background in finance who want to launch a boring business with virtually no startup fees should consider accounting and bookkeeping.

One of the best solopreneur business ideas is one that can be conducted online. It delivers high annual revenue without leaving home.

Once you’ve purchased the necessary software, you can focus on building a client base and improving your reputation by delivering great results.

6. Waste Management

While junk removal services are ideal for small businesses, a more ambitious approach to the industry is offering commercial waste management services.

The essential principles remain the same, with waste management services requiring larger vehicles and more staff to operate successfully.

With that said, if you purchase an existing waste management company, you’ll gain instant access to the resources and staff needed to run it smoothly.

5. Car Washes

As with other businesses in the cleaning industry, car washes are a common feature in most towns and cities and offer a heavy cash flow.

Many car wash businesses listed for sale can be purchased without having to invest in dedicated equipment and land.

Automated systems and cashless payments make it a great service business idea for those who want to be minimally involved in daily operations.

4. Self-Storage

Self-storage space is highly sought after for a range of purposes, from people who are moving home to small businesses that store stock.

Once you’ve invested in the storage space, you can advertise locally to pick up customers and build your business revenue over time.

Technological advances such as automated locking systems, keypads, and online booking tools are also great for passive income.

3. Laundromats

With a sizable proportion of households preferring to wash their clothes at laundromats, laundry services are a great way to earn money through a boring business.

There are many opportunities for expansion locally and regionally, such as opening new laundromats in residential areas near student accommodations.

Since customers always require these services, running a laundromat guarantees consistent revenue streams throughout the year.

2. Commercial Cleaning

Commercial cleaning services are another great source of year-round income that offers recession-resistant income for business owners.

Commercial spaces require constant cleaning and upkeep, from emptying communal trash cans to cleaning down surfaces and bathrooms.

Plenty of handy tools for freelancers can be used to establish an online presence and manage your marketing initiatives.

1. Property Management

Property management businesses offer a great variety of investment opportunities that allow for easy management and long-term profits.

These range from Airbnb rentals and apartment buildings to mobile home parks and commercial buildings for local businesses.

Property management businesses can be handled entirely online, so you don’t necessarily need to travel to physical locations to earn money.

You can help find tenants, collect rent, and coordinate maintenance to maximize your properties’ value and future resilience.

How To Buy A Boring Business

If you’re considering buying a boring business, you should consider a few things when approaching the process without making mistakes.

Buying boring businesses can be accomplished with less capital than building a new business from scratch since the core structure is already in place.

The process is relatively simple and begins with assessing your investment funds and partnering with business brokers in your local area.

Once you’ve identified your core business goals and the business model you wish to follow, you can then create a shortlist of relevant companies.

Next, you can research and value the business to see if it fits within your budget range, factoring in any short- and long-term costs.

Once this evaluation is complete, you’ll be able to negotiate the price and other terms of the deal with the existing owner.

For example, you may wish to keep their current staff on the team since they will have the necessary experience to run the business for you.

Lastly, when the deal has been finalized with acceptable terms, you can work through transitioning ownership of the company into your name.

How To Start A Boring Business

While purchasing boring businesses is easy to get up and running quickly, some people prefer to build their own businesses from the ground up.

If you’re considering starting a boring business of your own, you’ll need to put in the extra work and take control of all aspects of the company.

This starts with finding the funding, whether you use personal savings or seek outside investment from venture capital firms.

You’ll then need to channel these funds into the necessary supplies for the business, such as renting physical space for the required tools and equipment.

Establishing an online presence is also necessary to market your services, and a website builder can help you do this with relatively low startup costs.

Once your boring business is operational, it’s time to go full steam with your marketing initiatives to reach the target market in your local area.

This can include paid advertising campaigns on social media platforms, physical ads in local newspapers, or television commercials.

Lastly, by systematizing and automating your boring business, you can out-compete other businesses in your field and earn more money over time.

This will allow you to increase your profit margins and reinvest funds into expanding your boring business in additional territories around the country.

Summary

Setting up a boring business might lack the glamor of a cutting-edge startup, but it can be a great way to earn money and consistently expand over time.

The boring businesses we’ve outlined in this guide are great starting points for your entrepreneurial journey and choosing recession-resistant companies.

By reinvesting your profits into expansion and diversifying your portfolio of boring businesses, you can draw in a passive income and enjoy modern life.