Most home services franchises start between roughly $92,000 and $300,000 in total investment, based on what the brands publish: Chem-Dry lists $92,150–$249,500, Budget Blinds $100,500–$211,250, Molly Maid $144,150–$203,950, Mr. Handyman $161,900–$215,000 and Mr. Rooter $152,900–$298,675. That's a fraction of a fast food build-out, and most of these businesses run on repeat customers rather than walk-in traffic.
The catch is that you're usually buying a business you manage, not one you do with your own hands. The franchisors say so plainly, and it changes who these franchises suit.
Live table: home services franchises
These rows come from franchise listings in the PartnersWatch directory, using what each franchisor publishes on its own franchise page. Fees update every year with the new Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), so treat any number as a starting point.
| Program | Partner types | Terms | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVPRO | Franchisee | On request | — |
| TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | Franchisee | $100,000–$585,000 average start-up (Metro $165,700–$538,700; Mod $107,100–$270,000) | — |
| Budget Blinds | Franchisee | $100,500–$211,250 total investment; franchise fee $49,500–$89,500 (U.S.) | — |
| Mr. Rooter Plumbing | Franchisee | $152,900–$298,675 total investment (includes $42,500 initial franchise fee) | — |
| Chem-Dry | Franchisee | $92,150–$249,500 total initial investment | — |
| Mosquito Joe | Franchisee | $150,155–$191,575 total initial investment (includes $42,500 franchise fee) | — |
| Molly Maid | Franchisee | Initial investment $144,150–$203,950; at least $60,000 liquid capital; $250,000 net worth | Royalty |
| Mr. Handyman | Franchisee | Initial investment $161,900–$215,000, including $67,000 initial franchise fee | — |
Home services franchise costs, side by side
| Brand | What you sell | Total initial investment | Franchise fee | Other published terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chem-Dry | Carpet, upholstery, hard-surface cleaning | $92,150–$249,500 | Not on the listing | Equipment package included; in-house financing possible |
| Budget Blinds | Shop-at-home window coverings | $100,500–$211,250 | $49,500–$89,500 (US), by territory | $85,000 liquid capital |
| Two Men and a Truck | Local moving | $100,000–$585,000 average start-up | $50,000 | Metro $165,700–$538,700; Mod $107,100–$270,000 |
| Molly Maid | Recurring home cleaning | $144,150–$203,950 | Not on the listing | $60,000 liquid, $250,000 net worth; royalty 3–6.5% |
| Mosquito Joe | Outdoor pest control | $150,155–$191,575 | $42,500 (included) | 425+ locations |
| Mr. Rooter Plumbing | Plumbing | $152,900–$298,675 | $42,500 (included) | 240+ locations |
| Mr. Handyman | Home repair and maintenance | $161,900–$215,000 | $67,000 (included) | 365+ locations |
| Batteries Plus | Batteries, bulbs, device repair (retail) | $262,646–$496,996 | $49,500 | $125,000 liquid capital |
| SERVPRO | Fire, water, mold, storm restoration | Not on the listing | Not on the listing | 2,400+ franchises; in-house financing for qualified buyers |
Batteries Plus is technically retail, but it shows up in the same searches and has a B2B arm, so it's here for comparison.
Neighborly franchises: one parent, many trades
Four of the brands above, Mr. Handyman, Molly Maid, Mr. Rooter and Mosquito Joe, belong to Neighborly, a parent company for home-service franchises. When people search "neighborly franchise," this is what they mean: you pick a trade, but the back office, purchasing and marketing come from a shared platform.
What that gets you, according to the listings:
- Shared buying power. Molly Maid owners get Neighborly's ProTradeNet purchasing network.
- Hiring help. Mr. Rooter says Neighborly helps owners hire licensed plumbers, which matters because you don't need to be one yourself.
- Veteran discounts. Mr. Handyman, Molly Maid and Mr. Rooter all list 20% off the franchise fee for qualified veterans.
- Multi-brand potential. Once you know the system, adding a second trade in the same territory is a natural next step, and Molly Maid lists multi-unit options.
The trade-off is that you're inside a big system with its own rules and fees. Read each brand's FDD separately; sharing a parent doesn't mean sharing terms.
Brand notes
Mr. Handyman franchise
Mr. Handyman is unusually explicit: it's built for owners who manage the business and lead a team, not for people who want to do the repairs. Initial investment is $161,900–$215,000, which includes a $67,000 franchise fee. You get lead-generation marketing, coaching and operational tools. If you're a skilled tradesperson who wants to keep swinging the hammer, this isn't designed for you. If you're a manager who wants a trade business without a trade license, it is.
SERVPRO franchise opportunities
SERVPRO franchises cleanup and restoration businesses covering fire, water, mold, storm and biohazard work. It has more than 2,400 franchises, and Entrepreneur has ranked it #1 in restoration services for 23 years. It doesn't publish an investment figure on the page our listing is based on, but it does offer in-house financing for qualified buyers. Restoration work is largely insurance-driven and emergency-led, so demand doesn't depend much on whether homeowners feel like spending that month. That's the real appeal behind "servpro franchise opportunities" searches. The flip side is that you need to be ready for 2 a.m. calls and relationships with insurance adjusters.
Molly Maid franchise
Molly Maid is the clearest recurring-revenue model in the group: weekly and biweekly residential cleaning. It publishes its royalty, 3–6.5% of annual gross sales, which most brands here don't. Entry needs $60,000 in liquid capital and $250,000 net worth, with total initial investment of $144,150–$203,950. Cleaning businesses live and die on staff retention, so ask existing owners how they hire and keep cleaners.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
One of Neighborly's longest-running brands, with 240+ North American locations. Total investment is $152,900–$298,675 including a $42,500 franchise fee. The pitch is leadership and customer service; Neighborly helps you hire licensed plumbers. Plumbing has steady emergency demand, but your profit depends on technician productivity, so get real numbers on revenue per truck from current owners.
Mosquito Joe
Outdoor mosquito and pest control built around recurring residential customers, with 425+ locations. Total initial investment is $150,155–$191,575 including a $42,500 franchise fee. It's seasonal in most of North America, so model your cash flow for the off months.
Chem-Dry, Budget Blinds and Two Men and a Truck
Chem-Dry has the lowest published floor here at $92,150, and the investment covers the license, a professional equipment package, a launch marketing program and early working capital. Budget Blinds runs from a home office with little inventory; franchise fees vary with territory size ($49,500–$89,500 in the US) and it asks for $85,000 liquid. Two Men and a Truck offers two formats: Metro territories ($165,700–$538,700) and lower-cost Mod markets ($107,100–$270,000), with a 10% veteran discount on the $50,000 franchise fee. It's also listed on the FRANdata Franchise Registry, which can make SBA funding easier.
Which home services franchise fits you
- Lowest entry cost: Chem-Dry or Budget Blinds.
- Most predictable recurring revenue: Molly Maid (scheduled cleaning) or Mosquito Joe (seasonal recurring).
- Recession-resistant demand: SERVPRO (insurance-driven) or Mr. Rooter (emergency plumbing).
- You want to manage, not do the work: Mr. Handyman says this outright, and the Neighborly brands are generally built this way.
- Veteran: Mr. Handyman, Molly Maid, Mr. Rooter (20% off the fee) or Two Men and a Truck (10%).
If you're comparing against gyms or restaurants, our fitness franchise guide and fast food franchise cost guide cover those, and the low-cost franchise guide walks through reading an FDD.
Before you sign
- Ask for revenue per truck or per crew, not just system-wide sales. That's the number your profit depends on.
- Ask how owners find staff. In home services, labor is the constraint, not demand.
- Read Item 20 for closures and transfers in the last three years.
- Check your territory size and whether it's defined by ZIP codes, households or population.
- Price the vehicles. Trucks, wraps and insurance are real costs; check whether they're inside or outside the Item 7 estimate.
- Get a franchise attorney to read the agreement before you pay anything.
Browse every franchise listing or see how we collect and check listings.
PartnersWatch is an independent directory. We list these programs from each franchisor's own public page and aren't paid by them. Brands can claim, correct or remove their listing at any time. Figures change every year, so confirm them in the current Franchise Disclosure Document.
FAQ
What is the cheapest home services franchise?
Of the brands with published figures in our directory, Chem-Dry has the lowest starting point at $92,150 total initial investment. Budget Blinds starts at $100,500 and Two Men and a Truck's Mod markets start at $107,100.
How much does a Mr. Handyman franchise cost?
Mr. Handyman lists an initial investment of $161,900–$215,000, which includes a $67,000 initial franchise fee. Qualified veterans get 20% off the franchise fee.
How much does a SERVPRO franchise cost?
SERVPRO doesn't publish an investment figure on the page our listing is based on. It offers in-house financing for qualified buyers. Ask for the Franchise Disclosure Document; Item 7 has the full estimate.
What is a Neighborly franchise?
Neighborly is a parent company of home-service franchise brands. In our directory that includes Mr. Handyman, Molly Maid, Mr. Rooter Plumbing and Mosquito Joe. Owners get shared marketing, purchasing and hiring support.
Do you need trade experience to own a plumbing or handyman franchise?
Not for Mr. Handyman or Mr. Rooter. Both are built for owners who lead a team, and Mr. Rooter says Neighborly helps owners hire licensed plumbers.
What are the royalty fees for Molly Maid?
Molly Maid lists a royalty of 3–6.5% of annual gross sales. It also asks for at least $60,000 in liquid capital and $250,000 in net worth.
Are home services franchises a good investment?
They usually cost far less to open than restaurants and earn from repeat customers. The common problem is hiring and keeping staff, so talk to current owners about labor before you commit.