Passive Income Ideas For Builders [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a Builder in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a Builder today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a Builder.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business could be a great way for you as a Builder to earn extra income. Your daily work already provides unique opportunities to capture high-quality photos of construction sites, finished projects, and building materials, which are always in demand for marketing and advertising. By investing in good photography gear and learning the basics of taking stock photos, you could create a valuable portfolio.
With an impressive collection of stock photos, you could upload them to stock photography websites where businesses and marketers often look for such images. Having an online presence can help you sell your photos faster, bringing in a steady stream of passive income. Since stock photos can be sold multiple times, even a small portfolio could generate ongoing revenue, making this a worthwhile side hustle.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
2. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As a builder, you could take advantage of your industry knowledge and connections to start an ecommerce reselling business. For instance, you could purchase tools, materials, or other construction-related items in bulk and resell them online. This allows you to make extra money without the upfront costs of manufacturing your own products.
Starting the business is also quite straightforward; you could initially use social media platforms to market and sell your products, postponing the need for creating a website until your business expands. This approach lets you leverage your existing local network while reaching a broader audience online.
By reselling products you are already familiar with, you could supplement your income with relatively low risk and capitalize on your experience in the building industry.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
3. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a builder, you could turn your valuable hands-on experience into a source of passive income by creating and selling online courses. Many people are eager to learn about home improvement, basic carpentry, or even how to start their own building projects. By tapping into your knowledge, you could guide them with step-by-step tutorials and practical advice.
Creating online courses allows you to share your expertise with a broader audience and earn money without constantly being on the job site. To get started, you would need to choose a target audience, develop your course content, and pick an online learning platform to sell your course. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, there's a significant opportunity to supplement your income while helping others learn new skills.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
4. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to supplement your income as a Builder. You could create content showcasing your building projects, offering how-to guides, and sharing tips that only a professional would know. This not only helps others who are interested in DIY projects but also positions you as an expert in your field.
Through ad revenue, sponsorships, and possibly even selling your own line of tools or merchandise, your channel could generate a steady stream of passive income over time. Consistency and quality are key, so plan your videos, edit them well, and engage with your viewers regularly. With the right amount of dedication, this side hustle could be both enjoyable and profitable.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
5. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a Builder, starting a niche website could be a great way to supplement your income and potentially earn passive revenue. Imagine creating a site focused on home improvement tips, detailed building guides, or even reviews of construction tools and materials. This type of content would attract a dedicated audience interested in your expertise, and you could monetize your site through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling your own digital products like e-books or online courses.
Building a niche website involves sharing the knowledge you're already passionate about and investing some time in research, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO). Over time, as your site grows with useful, targeted information, it could become a reliable source of passive income. If you're entrepreneurial-minded and committed to sharing your insights, a niche website might be a rewarding project for you.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
6. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be an exciting way for you to supplement your income as a Builder. You could create a box specifically for DIY enthusiasts, filled with specialized tools, materials, and project guides that appeal to your expertise. Imagine offering exclusive items each month that cater to home improvement projects, making your subscription box a must-have for anyone who loves building and renovating.
This type of business could tap into your knowledge of quality products while allowing you to leverage your industry connections to source these items effectively. With the high demand and profitability of subscription boxes, focusing on a niche market like DIY could set you apart and create a steady stream of passive income. Plus, perfecting your box design and partnering with reliable fulfillment companies would ensure a hassle-free experience for you and your customers.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
7. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a Builder, you could start earning passive income through affiliate marketing by promoting products and services related to your field. For instance, you might partner with tool manufacturers or retailers that sell building supplies and earn a commission for every sale made through your unique affiliate link. This approach allows you to leverage your industry knowledge to recommend quality products that you already trust and use, making your promotions more authentic and effective.
To begin, you would need to identify reputable companies and products you feel confident endorsing. This might involve setting up a simple website or using social media to share your recommendations and reviews. Over time, as you build a following and people purchase through your links, you could generate a steady stream of passive income alongside your regular building projects.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
8. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a builder, you might not think that a print-on-demand business would be relevant to your work, but there are some interesting possibilities here. For instance, you could create custom apparel, like branded work shirts or hats for your crew, and sell them online. Builders have a great sense of the practical, so you could also design and sell items like sturdy phone cases or coffee mugs with construction-themed designs.
By leveraging online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you can easily reach a global audience without worrying about inventory or shipping. This means you can focus on your day job while earning extra income from your designs. Plus, the startup costs are quite low, so it's a relatively risk-free way to explore your creative side.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
9. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a Builder, you could start a niche blog focused on construction tips, tools, and techniques that you have mastered over the years. This would allow you to share your expertise with a wider audience, helping both amateur DIY enthusiasts and budding builders who are eager to learn from your experiences. You could write detailed how-to guides, share reviews of the latest tools, and provide insights into best practices in the building industry.
To make extra money, you could include affiliate links for tools and materials, collaborate with brands, and even grow a YouTube channel that complements your blog. The more you engage with your readers and provide valuable information, the more your online community will grow, turning your blog into a potential source of passive income. This way, you're leveraging your existing knowledge and passion for building to create a new revenue stream without straying far from what you do best.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
10. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
Starting a real estate investment firm could be a smart move if you're a Builder looking to create passive income. You'd leverage your expertise in property construction and renovation to identify and add value to real estate assets. By purchasing properties, fixing them up, and either renting or selling them, you could generate substantial profits.
The beauty of real estate is its potential for steady income and long-term growth. Rental properties, for example, offer an ongoing revenue stream, while the value of the properties can appreciate over time. Your hands-on experience with building projects puts you in a unique position to assess the true potential of various properties and execute profitable deals.
Embarking on this path will require some savvy in market research and strategic planning, but it can be highly rewarding both financially and professionally. If you're passionate about real estate and enjoy the idea of growing wealth through property, starting a real estate investment firm could be your ideal side hustle.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
11. Make passive income with a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
As a builder, you could supplement your income and explore new financial opportunities by starting a stock investing business. This involves buying and selling stocks to make a profit, based on your ability to analyze market trends and make smart investment decisions. Navigating the financial landscape might seem challenging at first, but there are plenty of educational resources and trading platforms to help you get started.
If you have an interest in finance and a willingness to learn, this venture allows you to potentially turn your passion for numbers into profit. It's important to note that success requires dedication and continuous learning, but with the right strategy and risk management, you could see significant returns. Embracing this new domain might be the entrepreneurial opportunity you need to diversify your income and achieve long-term growth.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
12. Make passive income with a spanish language tutor ($62.5K/month)
If you're a builder looking to supplement your income, becoming a Spanish language tutor could be a great opportunity. As someone who understands construction work, you might find it beneficial to teach fellow builders or workers in the trade, especially since Spanish is widely spoken in the industry. This can create a bridge for better communication on job sites, improving teamwork and efficiency.
Given the demand for Spanish speakers in business and daily communication, you could offer personalized lessons to a variety of students. Whether you're conducting one-on-one sessions or virtual lessons, the flexibility allows you to schedule around your primary job. While you'll need a strong grasp of Spanish and some teaching skills, starting small with local marketing through word-of-mouth or social media can help build your client base.
The initial effort to establish yourself could be well worth it, leading to personal satisfaction and an additional income stream. To enhance your credibility, consider obtaining formal qualifications or certifications. This helps you stand out and attract more clients, making your side hustle both enjoyable and profitable.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,530 (?)
How long does it take to build: 185 days (?)
Live Lingua, an online language learning platform, built a 7-figure business on a bootstrap budget using SEO and launched thanks to the Mexican swine flu, with the company now growing at around 20% a year every year since then.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
