With the rising costs of living, many Filipinos are searching for avenues to supplement their income without giving up the security of their day jobs. This makes a service business—where your skills, time, or expertise are the product, not physical goods—an excellent option.
The appeal of these businesses lies in their low barrier to entry, scalability, and minimal overhead. Plus, if you ever choose to commit to it full-time, there are different types of loans and credits in the Philippines available to support your growth.
Whether your goal is to have a flexible side hustle, earn extra cash, or finally profit from a passion, a service business offers a path forward. This article compiles practical ideas you can launch immediately, with many being ideally suited for a home-based setup.
10 Service Business Examples in the Philippines
If you’re thinking of starting something flexible, practical, and profitable, here are service business examples in the Philippines that work well, many of which you can launch on your own or with a small team. And when you’re ready to level up, each has several potential growth avenues.
1. Laundry pickup and delivery
A pickup and delivery laundry service is a great small business for urban areas where busy professionals lack time. Start lean: handle pickups and deliveries while outsourcing the washing to a local laundromat. You can later invest in your own equipment or open a full shop.
- Startup cost: Moderate (₱11,000–₱23,000 with equipment)
- Growth: Scale by adding more riders and vehicles, or open your own laundromat
Tip: Build customer loyalty with reliable pickup schedules and status updates via text or Messenger.
2. Appliance repair and maintenance
With Filipinos often preferring to repair appliances, this skill is a steady source of income. If you can fix items like refrigerators, washing machines, or fans, you can launch a home-service small business and eventually expand by training a team.
- Startup cost: Low (₱2,500–₱10,000 for essential tools)
- Growth: Partner with appliance stores or warranty providers for referrals
Tip: Offer free diagnostics or discounted rates for repeat clients to build loyalty.
3. Pet grooming or pet sitting
With more Filipino households treating pets like family, pet grooming and sitting services are in high demand. If you’re an animal lover, this is a great small business you can start from home or as a mobile service with basic equipment.
- Startup cost: Low to moderate (₱1,500–₱17,000 for essentials like clippers, shampoo, and a grooming table)
- Growth: Expand by opening a dedicated grooming salon or partnering with veterinary clinics for referrals
Tip: Showcase your work! Post before-and-after photos of your furry clients (with owner permission) on social media to attract a new customer base.
4. Meal plan delivery
Ready-to-eat meals are a hit with busy professionals and health-conscious Filipinos. You can tap into this market by offering meal plans (low-carb, keto, vegetarian, etc.) and delivering them locally from your home kitchen.
- Startup cost: Moderate (₱12,000–₱30,000 for initial ingredients, packaging, and small equipment)
- Growth: Expand your client base by partnering with local gyms, health coaches, or corporate offices
Tip: Streamline your operations. Create a clean, professional-looking online menu and accept orders digitally for a seamless customer experience.
5. Aircon cleaning services
Given the Philippines’ tropical climate, air conditioners are a household necessity that need regular maintenance. This makes an affordable aircon cleaning service a solid small business that doesn’t need a physical storefront.
- Startup cost: Low to Moderate (₱4,500–₱18,500 for essential cleaning equipment and safety gear)
- Growth: Secure long-term contracts with offices, restaurants, or condo buildings to ensure a steady stream of income
Tip: Encourage client loyalty and repeat business by offering a discount for regular, scheduled cleanings (ex., quarterly or biannually).
6. Bookkeeping or accounting services
Perfect if you already have an accounting license, though not necessarily required. If you just have a knack for numbers, offering bookkeeping is a great small business opportunity. You can help businesses and freelancers manage their finances, especially if they can’t afford full-time staff.
- Startup cost: Very low (₱0–₱10,000, if using your own laptop or buying secondhand, plus free or low-cost accounting software)
- Growth: Expand by building a team or specializing in specific industries like F&B or online retail
Tip: Differentiate your service by mastering standard BIR compliance practices to provide added value.
7. Social media management
Many small businesses recognize the importance of an active social media presence, but they often lack the time to post consistently. If you’re a creative and social media-savvy individual, this is an easy small business to start from home with just a laptop and a stable internet connection.
- Startup cost: Very low. Your main tools are your existing laptop and internet, along with access to free or freemium social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite.
- Growth: Expand your services by offering a wider range of solutions, such as paid advertising campaigns, content creation, or community management
Tip: Use your own social media profiles as a live portfolio to demonstrate your skills and attract new clients.
8. Motorcycle or bicycle repair
With the boom in delivery services, there’s a steady demand for motorcycle, bicycle, and e-bike repair. This is a great small business you can start from your home garage with just a few basic tools.
- Startup cost: Low (₱2,500–₱11,500 for essential tools and a small inventory of standard parts)
- Growth: Increase your income by selling popular parts and accessories, like brake pads, spark plugs, or phone holders
Tip: Differentiate your service by offering fast turnaround times and operating on weekends to cater to working clients.
9. Event styling and party services
From birthday parties to corporate events, styling and decorating is a growing small business in the Philippines. If you’re creative, you can start from home using DIY materials and work directly on-site at events.
- Startup cost: Low to Moderate (₱5,000–₱20,000 for initial materials and transport)
- Growth: Boost your revenue by offering full-service packages that include catering, hosting, or logistics management
Tip: Your portfolio is everything. Maintain an updated Instagram or Facebook account with high-quality photos of your setups to attract new clients.
10. Car rental
With returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), tourists, and local travelers seeking private transport, a car rental business is a growing opportunity. You can start with a single vehicle and gradually expand your fleet over time.
- Startup cost: High (₱300,000+ per vehicle, which can be acquired through financing, a secondhand purchase, or a small down payment on a new unit)
- Growth: Specialize in a niche like group tours, self-drive rentals, or ride-for-hire services to target specific markets
Tip: Prioritize regular vehicle maintenance. A reliable, well-kept fleet minimizes repair costs and is the foundation for a trustworthy brand.
Start Small, Scale Smart
Launching a small business service in the Philippines doesn’t have to be a high-stakes endeavor. The ideas covered show that you can begin with what you already possess—be it skills, equipment, or spare time—and grow at your own pace.
Once you have established a solid footing and proven demand, a business loan in the Philippines from Unicapital can help you realize your full potential. Whether you need funds to expand your operations, build a team, or acquire advanced equipment, we’ll help you transform your side hustle into a thriving, full-time enterprise.
