Yelp reports a growing number of women launching home service businesses.
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In 2024, the landscape of home services continued to change as more women entered traditionally male-dominated fields like construction and skilled trades. A recent report from Yelp highlights that female entrepreneurs established over 15,000 home service businesses last year, marking a significant surge for the second consecutive year. This trend signifies a growing movement of women claiming their place in industries where they have long been underrepresented.
Women entrepreneurs are making their mark across a variety of industries, with Yelp reporting thousands of new business launches. Last year alone, women opened 15,016 ventures in the home services sector. This figure notably exceeded the 10,609 new beauty service businesses, a sector traditionally linked to female entrepreneurs. Yelp’s analysis emphasizes that home services represent the fastest-growing area for women-owned businesses for two years running.
The Surge of Women-Owned Home Services Businesses
Within the home services domain, businesses like siding installation, air duct cleaning, and fireplace services have seen remarkable growth spearheaded by women. Moreover, the emergence of new female-owned enterprises in traditionally male sectors such as plumbing, masonry, and appliance repair is progressing faster than the national average.
Exceeding National Averages in Growth
The growth rate of women-owned businesses in home services has surpassed national averages across various areas.
Yelp
The increasing percentage of women starting home service businesses is notable, especially given that they still comprise only a small fraction of the workforce in construction and trades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represented fewer than 4% of construction workers and just above 4% in installation, maintenance, and repair roles in 2022. Consequently, even a modest rise in the number of women entrepreneurs in this sector contributes to significant percentage growth.
Encouragingly, the evidence suggests that women are entering these fields in larger numbers, both as business owners and employees. Last year, one in seven new construction jobs were filled by women, and around 14% of apprentices were female, nearly double the figure seen in 2014. To further support this trend, the U.S. Department of Labor allocated $6 million to recruit, train, and retain more women in apprenticeships and non-traditional careers.
New Opportunities in High-Demand Fields
The current landscape presents a favorable opportunity for women entering these industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth in electrician jobs over the next decade, significantly surpassing the average rate for all occupations. With an anticipated 80,200 electrician job openings each year, the National Association of Home Builders has recognized a “dire need” for construction workers; additionally, Bloomberg estimates a shortfall of 550,000 plumbers in the U.S. by 2027.
Challenges Facing Women in Construction and Trades
Despite the positive trend of women entering these sectors, many face challenges that can drive them to consider leaving. Research from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research indicates that 44.4% of women in construction and trades have contemplated exiting the industry, often citing issues such as disrespect and discrimination. Many women’s concerns tend to be overlooked or not taken seriously.
Additional studies reveal several contributors to women leaving the trades, including a male-dominated culture, insufficient employer support, experiences of sexual harassment, wage discrepancies, inadequate facilities, and poorly fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). One woman shared her experience struggling to find properly fitting PPE, highlighting, “Most PPE, such as fall protection harnesses and safety shoes, are too large for me, posing significant safety risks. While PPE for men is widely available, it took months to secure gear that would fit me properly.”
However, establishing their own home services businesses allows women to navigate around many of these obstacles. As business owners, they can create safer and more inclusive workplaces while ensuring access to fitting PPE. Nevertheless, challenges persist. Many women in these roles still confront skepticism from clients accustomed to seeing men in similar positions. Overcoming bias will require time, but as more women establish their place in construction and trades, they have the potential to reshape industry norms and inspire future generations.
