Top 10 Low-Cost Construction Businesses to Start in Nigeria (With Startup Capital Estimates)

Construction is one of the most profitable industries in Nigeria. From Lagos to Abuja and even smaller towns, new houses, estates, and commercial buildings are springing up every day. The beauty of this sector is that you don’t always need millions to participate — there are several construction-related businesses you can start on a low to medium scale and still make consistent profit.

In this article, we highlight the top 10 construction businesses you can start in Nigeria with small to moderate capital — plus their estimated startup costs.

1. Block & Concrete Moulding

Blocks are the backbone of construction in Nigeria. Every building project needs them, from houses and schools to roads and drainage.

• Startup Needs: Land space, moulds (manual or semi-automated), access to water, sand, and cement.
• Startup Capital: ₦500,000 – ₦3 million (depending on manual or machine-based production).
• Profit Potential: Producing and selling 1,000 blocks weekly can fetch ₦150,000–₦200,000 profit.

2. Sand & Granite Supply

Builders can’t do without sharp sand, filling sand, and granite. If you can’t afford to buy trucks, you can start as a broker.

• Startup Needs: A tipper truck (or access to truck owners).
• Startup Capital: ₦200,000 – ₦10 million (₦200k for brokerage, ₦10m+ for owning a truck).
• Profit Potential: One truckload can yield ₦15,000–₦30,000 profit.

3. Cement Retail & Distribution

Cement is always in demand, and margins accumulate quickly.

• Startup Needs: Shop or warehouse, cash for stock, good supplier connections.
• Startup Capital: ₦500,000 – ₦5 million (small retail to wholesale distributorship).
• Profit Potential: ₦300–₦600 profit per bag. Selling 100–200 bags weekly = ₦50,000–₦120,000 profit.

4. Welding & Fabrication

From gates and doors to water tanks and railings, welding is essential in construction.

• Startup Needs: Welding machine, protective gear, small workshop.
• Startup Capital: ₦300,000 – ₦2 million.
• Profit Potential: Gates go for ₦250,000   ₦100,000,000. Smaller jobs fetch ₦20,000–₦70,000 each.

5. Painting & Interior Finishing

Painting has evolved into decorative finishes like POP ceilings, 3D panels, and epoxy floors.

• Startup Needs: Brushes, rollers, ladders, sprayers, and marketing.
• Startup Capital: ₦100,000 – ₦500,000.
• Profit Potential: Painting a 3-bedroom apartment pays ₦100,000–₦250,000.

6. Roofing Business

Every building needs roofing — aluminium, stone-coated, or long-span sheets.

• Startup Needs: Knowledge of roofing products, supplier contacts, marketing.
• Startup Capital: ₦500,000 – ₦3 million.
• Profit Potential: Contractors can earn ₦100,000–₦500,000 per project.

7. Plumbing & Borehole Services

Plumbing is a must-have for every building, while borehole drilling solves Nigeria’s water problem.

• Startup Needs: Plumbing tools, basic training, access to borehole rigs (or partnerships).
• Startup Capital: ₦300,000 – ₦2 million (plumbing), ₦3 million+ (borehole drilling with rented rigs).
• Profit Potential: Plumbing for a 3-bedroom apartment pays ₦200,000–₦500,000. Borehole jobs go for ₦200,000–₦1.5m.

8. Electrical Installation & Fittings

Electricians handle wiring, lighting, solar systems, and inverter setups.

• Startup Needs: Electrical tools, training, shop for fittings.
• Startup Capital: ₦200,000 – ₦1.5 million.
• Profit Potential: Wiring a 3-bedroom flat pays ₦150,000–₦400,000.

9. Tile & Granite Laying

Tiles and granite are popular finishes in Nigerian homes.

• Startup Needs: Tile-cutting machine, laying tools, labour.
• Startup Capital: ₦150,000 – ₦700,000.
• Profit Potential: Fixing tiles in a 3-bedroom home can pay ₦200,000–₦500,000.

10. Construction Material Haulage

Haulage involves transporting sand, granite, and cement with tippers or trucks.

• Startup Needs: Tipper truck (or truck-owner partnerships).
• Startup Capital: ₦300,000 (as broker) – ₦20 million (owning trucks).
• Profit Potential: ₦20,000–₦50,000 profit per trip.

💡 Bonus: Site Cleanup & Waste Disposal

Construction sites generate debris that needs clearing. Offering cleanup services is a low-cost, low-competition niche.

• Startup Capital: ₦100,000 – ₦500,000.
• Profit Potential: Steady income from estate projects and city sites.

Final Thoughts

The construction sector in Nigeria is booming, and you don’t need billions to get started. With as little as ₦100,000, you can launch a small-scale venture like painting, tile laying, or site cleanup. Bigger players can dive into block moulding, borehole drilling, or haulage for long-term wealth.

👉 Start with what matches your pocket, build trust with builders and developers, and reinvest your profits. The Nigerian construction industry is a goldmine waiting for smart entrepreneurs to tap into it.