The home services market is one to watch if youโre keen to know which industries are most likely to franchise. These are not working-from-home jobs. Weโre talking about home-related businesses. This includes niche sectors you could overlook, such as disaster restoration. People also continue to spend money on traditional home services like cleaning and repairs, so this ongoing demand is good news for you as a potential franchisee.
If you want to learn more about life as a franchisee, download our FREE EBOOK on 4 Franchise Owners Who Found Success with DetailXPerts.
Overview of the Industry
There is money to be made in the home franchise industry because homeowners want to care for their investments. So, explore different sectors to find the right franchise for you. Choose from restoration services, home-improvement businesses, cleaning companies, and others.
Market research shows that the US home service market will reach $156.29 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.1% annual rate from 2024 to 2030. In particular, home restoration and commercial cleaning franchise opportunities are seeing significant growth.
Also, the on-demand home services market is getting bigger. This sector offers household services like cleaning and home repairs through online platforms. The key takeaway is that people love the convenience of booking and paying for services through their phones. I.e., youโll attract a loyal customer base if you simplify their lives. See target markets, below.
Target Markets
The target market often overlaps between sectors within the home services industry. To illustrate, hereโs a snapshot of your customer:
- New homeowners needing help from home inspections to moving services.
- Homeowners wanting home improvements, repairs, pest control or security system upgrades.
- Renters and landlords who request cleaning services and maintenance jobs.
- Business clients needing commercial cleaning and janitorial services.
- Eco-conscious customers seeking green cleaning and energy-efficient home improvements.
- Busy families who want to save time by outsourcing jobs around the home.
- Help elderly people with cleaning, repairs and maintenance, and gardening.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home Services Franchise
If the market keeps growing, you can use support from reputable franchises to build your business. However, be aware of the downsides, too. Here are the pros and cons:
Advantages
- Huge demand for green home services.
- Varied opportunities, from cleaning and repairs to plumbing and pest control.
- Repeat business and stable revenue streams because many homes require regular maintenance.
- Secure long-term contracts with commercial clients.
- More people are buying homes and investing in renovations, so thereโs a higher demand for home improvement, maintenance, and repair services.
- Technology makes it easier for customers to book on-demand home services online.
- Many businesses include franchise opportunities for veterans and discounts.
Disadvantages
- Itโs a competitive industry, so you must partner with a reputable franchise.
- Some home services franchises have high initial costs, from $500,000 to $1.9 million.
- Finding, hiring and training employees can take time and effort.
- In economic downturns, people cut back on non-essential home services.
Different Home Franchise Opportunities and Cost
Look at the different brand names within different sectors to get a better idea of what they do. Also, study the demand for services, target markets, and the initial investment costs.
Home Cleaning Franchise
More people working from home have created a demand for clean living and working spaces. If you want to benefit financially from this trend, plenty of home franchise opportunities exist in this sector. Moreover, these are low cost franchise opportunities compared to those in the food industry.
But itโs not just about residential cleaning. The US commercial cleaning and sanitization market was $75.3 billion in 2023 and continues to grow as health awareness increases. Likewise, you can jump on the trend for janitorial services. Here are residential and commercial cleaning options.
- DetailXPerts includes condo and tenancy cleaning in its franchise model. Its franchisees are also experts when it comes to commercial cleaning and sanitizing. This target market covers everything from offices and restaurants to universities and hospitals. Moreover, as a franchisee, youโll meet the huge demand for green cleaning using steam technology and eco-friendly solutions. Also, you can use the same cleaning methods for auto detailing in automotive franchises. The initial investment cost ranges from ยฃ103,500 to $240,100.
- The Maids is a home cleaning franchise and the average cost to start a business is around $150,000.
- Maidpro is another option with an estimated initial investment of $105,560 to $130,800.
- Merry Maids is part of the ServiceMaster family, which has 40 years of experience in franchising. The average cost to start this cleaning business is around $144,000.
Home Inspection Franchise
You might know real estate home-buying franchises like HomeVestors of America or Keller Williams. However, the home inspection sector is also lucrative. As a licensed inspector, you provide homebuyers with a detailed report after inspecting the property. Before they commit to a sale, let them know of any potentially costly building damage.
- Pillar to Post could be the perfect fit if you see yourself on this career path. The initial investment cost is from $101,740 to $132,490.
- WIN Home Inspection offers similar home inspection franchise opportunities with initial investment costs of $49,000 to $57,000. There are other low-cost opportunities to explore, including franchise opportunities under 50K.
Your target market includes anyone buying a home or real estate agents who could introduce you to potential buyers. Statistics show that the residential housing market is recovering after a period of stagnation in the 2010s. In 2023, there were over 86 million owner-occupied homes.
Home Building Franchise
How about owning a construction and building company targeting the commercial and residential sectors? If youโre looking for a niche market, check out the following:
- GoliathTech specializes in screw piles. You use this product for foundations in construction projects like residential homes and commercial buildings. Initial investment from $100,000 to $244,000.
- UBuildIt focuses on construction consultation rather than the physical building of properties. Youโll help your clients plan their building projects. Target homeowners aged 35-55 with the money to build the house of their dreams. The initial investment from $113,550 to $223,800.
Home Improvement Franchise
According to research, the US remodeling market is expected to go from $538 million in 2024 to $755 million in 2032. Moving home can be expensive. Therefore, it often makes more financial sense for the homeowner to spend on home improvements instead of buying and relocating to a new property. Currently, home improvement franchise options include:
- Refresh Renovations is a remodeling business where you collaborate with a team to help you achieve your goals. For example, hire a project manager to help you oversee projects. Then, use designers and subcontractors like builders, painters and plumbers as needed. The initial investment is from $129,000-$190,000.
- Colour World Painting is your chance to start a residential and commercial painting business. Also, you can add services like gutter installation, drywall repairs or power washing to increase revenue. The initial investment is from $106,900 to $168,000.
Home Repair Franchise
Older homes often require more frequent repairs and upgrades, so if you invest in a home repair franchise, target homeowners in this market.
- Mr Appliance specializes in residential appliance installation and repairs. For example, if your customerโs kitchen or laundry appliances stop working, youโre there to help. The initial investment ranges from $95,000 to $177,000.
- Mr Handman also offers residential repair services to help people complete their to-do list around the home. The initial investment ranges from $123,000 to $159,600. Note that if you have an existing business in this industry, you can rebrand it to Mr. Handyman, so it is worth investigating.
Servpro Home Franchise Opportunities
If youโre a problem-solver and thrive under pressure, a career in disaster restoration might be your dream job. Climate change is fueling growth in damage restoration services. While itโs bad news for the planet, you can provide a service when storms, floods or fires damage homes and commercial properties.
Servpro is one of the top restoration franchises, founded in 1967. It specializes in residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services. The initial investment ranges from $241,000 to $302,000. Here is what you can offer your customers:
- Drying and restoring properties after water damage from leaks, and floods.
- Cleaning, deodorizing homes affected by fire and smoke.
- Mold remediation.
- Carpet and upholstery cleaning.
See our post on a Servpro or DetailXPerts franchise to compare a water damage restoration franchise to other opportunities.
Other Home Services
There are more businesses to explore if you want to venture into other essential and in-demand home services. When researching franchises, these sectors might not be top of mind, but they may still appeal to you:
Moving
Moving services cover everything from local residential moves to long-distance and commercial relocations. For example, Two Men and a Truck is an established leader in the moving industry and one of the absentee owner franchises.
Locksmiths
The rise in demand for enhanced home security means growth opportunities for locksmiths. For instance, youโll provide services like emergency lockout assistance, lock installation, key cutting, and security system upgrades. Pop-A-Lock covers automotive and residential services.
Plumbing
The constant need for plumbing routine maintenance and emergency repairs ensures a steady stream of business. Furthermore, growing awareness of water conservation creates opportunities for specialized services and products. Mr Rooter Plumbing and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are major franchise names in this sector.
Pest Control
Youโll provide solutions for managing and eradicating pests such as rodents and termites. Pest infestations can cause health concerns and potential property damage, so pest control services are always in demand. Mosquito Shield and Mosquito Joe specialize in this line of work.
Tree Removal
Tree removal services are not just about removing unwanted trees but also pruning and emergency storm damage response. Monster Tree Service and Spring-Green Lawn Care are worth checking out if you see yourself working outdoors. But if this doesnโt appeal, how about a work from home franchise?
Expand Your Service Offerings
As a franchisee, always think of ways to boost your revenue. Add-ons depend on the sector within home services, but here are some ideas:
- Offer bundled services to provide more value. For example, your cleaning service could add carpet cleaning.
- Your residential cleaning business could expand into the commercial cleaning sector.
- Introduce eco-friendly cleaning products and services to target the green market.
- Create loyalty programs to reward repeat customers and encourage referrals.
- Your pest control service could also offer lawn care.
- Disaster restoration could crossover into remodeling services.
Conclusion
To sum up, some services franchises range from cleaning and repairs to plumbing and pest control. Some are more niche than others, but all are in sectors that are showing strong growth. Moreover, many franchises provide extensive training and ongoing support, helping you to succeed even without industry experience. Another thing, you can ask about international franchising if you want to maximize profits.
Also, take advantage of the brandโs scalable business models that let you start small and expand as your customer base grows. Equally important, pay close attention to industry trends, such as eco-friendly businesses that meet rising demand for sustainable products and services. See our green franchise business with 3 lucrative markets.