Happy little girl planting flowers with her father in garden

Great Outdoor Side Hustles (If You Don’t Mind Getting Your Hands Dirty)

Some people are just made for hands-on tasks. This opens up lots of opportunities to earn some extra income offline.

The popularity of online platforms has got people’s attention on making money online. Sometimes sitting behind a screen for hours on end just isn’t for everyone. The truth is traditional hands-on jobs are still equally as rewarding. Take oven cleaning for example, it pays an hourly rate of £60 to £90. The average cost of grass cutting is £25 to £40 per hour or £20 to £30 per square meter.

Outdoor side hustles are a great way to increase your income while getting fresh air. 

From hedge trimming and pressure washing to improving back gardens — most homeowners lack the time, tools, or skill to perform these tasks. They’d rather pay someone else to sort the problem and that’s where you come in. We have broken down the best outdoor side hustles by type to help you narrow your search down.

1. Cleaning Services

Whether it’s tidying up homes, offices, or organising spaces, this hustle allows you to earn extra cash while providing a valuable service. The demand for cleaning services is constant, offering flexibility around your main job or other commitments. It requires a minimal upfront investment which may include some basic cleaning supplies and equipment.

A great trick to ensure you get clients is to choose a niche or specialist cleaning service. Some good examples would be a dental practice cleaner, a carpet cleaner, an oven cleaner, a gutter cleaner, an Airbnb cleaner, a car detailing service, moving out home cleaning, mould cleaning, a school cleaner and so on. Think of a space, area or item that always requires cleaning and a person or business would pay to get it done. All you need is a strong work ethic and attention to detail, cleaning as a side hustle is a great way to earn money.

2. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting

Dog walking and pet sitting are increasingly becoming popular side hustles for animal lovers looking to earn a side income. You can enjoy the company of furry friends while helping owners maintain their busy lives.

Some pet owners will book your services during the summer seasons as they jet off abroad for extended holidays. This can also double up as a house-sitting service if the opportunity is available.

Whether it’s a quick dog walk around the neighbourhood park, spending quality time with a cat or feeding the tropical fish, these services cater to the varied needs of pet owners. Besides the pleasure of interacting with animals, this side hustle provides a chance for some fresh air and a way to explore different areas of your city or town.

3. Gardening and Landscaping

Entering the world of gardening and landscaping as a side hustle offers creativity and physical activity. Transforming people’s outdoor spaces into vibrant, well-designed areas can be very rewarding. Getting started might require a few basic tools but the majority of it will be hands-on. Whether you’re planting colourful flowers, designing functional layouts, or maintaining lush green lawns, this side hustle allows you to showcase your green thumbs while earning extra income.

Beyond the financial aspect, the joy of witnessing the positive impact of your efforts on a client’s property adds a sense of accomplishment. As a side hustle, gardening and landscaping allows you to connect with nature, express artistic flair, and contribute to the appeal of residential or commercial spaces.

4. Handyman Services

Do you have a knack for fixing things or genuinely enjoy helping others? The handyman side hustle allows you to leverage your skills in various home improvement tasks such as painting and decorating, building flatpack furniture, fixing minor electrical items, putting up shelves, and small hands-on projects. The beauty of a handyman service lies in its flexibility which suits well if you have family commitments – you can take on projects based on your schedule and expertise.

You can slowly build a reputation for reliability and quality workmanship that can lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, making the handyman service a rewarding and sustainable side hustle.

5. Small home removal service

With the rise of urban living and people frequently relocating for various reasons, there is a growing demand for affordable and efficient moving services tailored to smaller homes, apartments and even student accommodation. This side hustle involves helping individuals or families with the logistics of moving their belongings from one location to another, typically within a local area. You don’t need to own a van, you could rent one on the client’s behalf and simply assist with physical loading and unloading.

The aim is to build a positive reputation through word of mouth and online reviews which can quickly lead to a steady stream of clients, making small home removals a rewarding and scalable side business.

This wraps up a short but solid list of potential outdoor side hustles to get your hands on.

Get some fresh air and a chance to earn some extra money to supplement your regular job. One thing to add is whether you’re side-hustling online or offline, the only way to succeed is to be focused, hard-working and professional.

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