How Much Does It Cost to Open a Construction (General Contractor) in Chicago, IL? (2026)

Open a residential assisted living facility. Strict state licensing, accessibility renovations, and high staffing costs make this one of the most capital-intensive service businesses — but demand is driven by aging demographics and is largely recession-resistant.

Open an automotive repair shop or garage. Heavy equipment investment is required upfront, along with certifications, bay setup, and parts inventory.

Start a bakery, coffee shop, or cafe. Includes equipment, build-out, inventory, and ongoing operating costs.

Open a bar, pub, or craft brewery. Key costs include liquor license, draft systems, and build-out — with a very different cost profile from restaurants.

Open a car wash business — self-serve bays, automatic tunnel, or full-service detailing. Equipment and water infrastructure are the major capital costs.

Start a residential or commercial cleaning business. Low startup costs with equipment, supplies, transportation, and marketing.

Open a specialty coffee shop or espresso bar. Covers espresso equipment, build-out, licensing, and ongoing supply costs.

Start a consulting firm or professional services business. Low overhead with focus on expertise, marketing, and client acquisition.

Start a licensed daycare or childcare center. Unique costs include state licensing, safety and childproofing requirements, high liability insurance, and regulated staff-to-child ratios.

Open a dental practice. One of the highest-cost small business startups — specialized equipment, office build-out, and credentialing make this a $300K–$1M+ investment.

Launch an online store or e-commerce business. Covers platform costs, initial inventory, shipping setup, and digital marketing.

Launch a mobile food truck business. The truck purchase or build-out is the primary startup cost, plus permits, commissary kitchen, and operating expenses.

Buy and operate a franchise business. The franchise fee buys a proven system and brand, but total startup costs vary widely by franchise type. Ongoing royalty and marketing fees are unique to franchising compared to independent businesses.

Open a gym, fitness studio, yoga studio, or CrossFit box. Covers equipment, space build-out, and operations.

Launch a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business. EPA 608 certification is mandatory; equipment and licensing costs are significant but margins are strong.

Start a residential or commercial landscaping business. Equipment and a reliable truck are the primary investments, with relatively low ongoing overhead.

Open a coin-operated or card-operated laundromat. High upfront equipment costs are offset by largely passive, recurring revenue from washer and dryer cycles.

Launch a residential or commercial pest control business. State licensing is required in every state; recurring service agreements create stable, predictable revenue.

Open a pet grooming salon or mobile grooming business. The pet industry is recession-resistant; mobile grooming has lower startup costs while a salon build-out requires more capital.

Start a residential or commercial plumbing business. Licensing is state-required and a major upfront cost; a well-equipped service van is the core asset.

Start a residential or commercial pressure washing business. One of the lowest-cost trades to enter — a quality pressure washer and a reliable truck are the primary startup investments.

Start a home or commercial remodeling business. Equipment and a reliable work vehicle are the primary upfront costs, while project-based revenue allows for lean ongoing overhead compared to brick-and-mortar businesses.

Open a restaurant or food truck. Covers kitchen equipment, build-out, licensing, and monthly operating expenses.

Start a retail store, boutique, or shop. Includes fixtures, inventory, point-of-sale, and monthly operating costs.

Launch a hair salon, barbershop, or beauty studio. Includes stations, build-out, licensing, and supplies.

Launch an owner-operator trucking business. The primary investment is the truck itself, with commercial insurance being one of the highest ongoing costs in any industry.

Open a veterinary clinic or animal hospital. High-cost medical equipment and specialized licensing drive startup costs above most service businesses, but the recurring client base and essential-service nature provide strong revenue stability.