Do you want to start a home building or home improvement business through a franchise?

If YES, here are 20 home building, remodeling and residential construction franchise opportunities in the United States and their estimated startup costs.

There is an important distinction you should understand before investing. There are relatively few franchises where you simply buy a territory and become a traditional custom home builder.

Most franchise opportunities connected with residential construction are specialized businesses involving:

• Remodeling;
• Roofing;
• Flooring;
• Painting;
• Concrete;
• Cabinets;
• Bathrooms;
• Outdoor living;
• Insulation;
• Home repair.

That can actually make the business easier to enter. Instead of financing entire new homes and managing every trade involved in construction, you can specialize in a service homeowners already need and use the franchisor’s operating systems, brand, training, suppliers and marketing support.

Still, buying a franchise does not guarantee that you will make money. You need to evaluate the territory, total investment, royalties, required advertising, working capital, licensing requirements and profitability of existing franchise locations before making a commitment.

The investment figures below are current published estimates and are shown in U.S. dollars.

Franchise costs can change, so always rely on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document before investing.

Best Home Building and Home Improvement Franchise Opportunities

1. UBuildIt

UBuildIt is one of the opportunities on this list that comes closest to the actual home-building industry.

The company operates a construction-consulting model that helps homeowners plan and manage custom homes and major remodeling projects.

Franchisees can assist clients with:

• Planning;
• Budgeting;
• Contractor coordination;
• Bidding;
• Project organization;
• Construction guidance.

The franchisee is not necessarily operating as a conventional general contractor that performs all construction itself.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $134,200 to $347,700.

2. DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen is a more substantial remodeling franchise aimed at entrepreneurs who want to build a full-service home renovation company.

The business primarily concentrates on:

• Kitchens;
• Bathrooms;
• Interior remodeling.

Unlike some home-based remodeling franchises, DreamMaker uses a physical Design Center and therefore requires considerably more capital.

Candidates are also expected to have meaningful liquid capital and net worth.

Estimated initial investment: $329,705 to $654,860.

3. Archadeck Outdoor Living

Archadeck specializes in designing and building outdoor living spaces. Projects can include:

• Decks;
• Porches;
• Patios;
• Pergolas;
• Outdoor kitchens;
• Other backyard structures.

This can be attractive if you want a construction-oriented franchise without building entire houses.

Franchise owners concentrate heavily on selling, designing and managing projects while working with the appropriate construction professionals.

Estimated initial investment: $215,400 to $239,300.

4. Re-Bath

Re-Bath specializes in bathroom remodeling. The business can handle projects ranging from relatively straightforward bathroom upgrades to more substantial renovations.

The model can involve:

• Sales;
• Design;
• Product supply;
• Installation;
• Project management.

Re-Bath requires a larger investment than many mobile home-service franchises because costs can include vehicles, inventory, a showroom or warehouse and substantial operating capital.

Estimated initial investment: $275,875 to $606,925.

5. Kitchen Tune-Up

Kitchen Tune-Up provides kitchen-improvement services without requiring every customer to undertake a complete kitchen reconstruction. Services can include:

• Cabinet restoration;
• Cabinet refacing;
• Cabinet painting;
• New cabinets;
• Kitchen remodeling.

This gives a franchisee several price points to offer customers. The business can also be operated with relatively low overhead compared with a large traditional remodeling company.

Estimated initial investment: $121,930 to $198,850.

6. Bath Tune-Up

Bath Tune-Up applies a similar model to bathroom renovations. Rather than relying only on large, expensive bathroom reconstructions, franchisees can provide targeted upgrades and more complete renovation projects.

The owner generally concentrates on:

• Sales;
• Customer relationships;
• Ordering products;
• Managing projects;
• Coordinating installers or subcontractors.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $106,930 to $183,850.

7. Kitchen Solvers

Kitchen Solvers specializes in kitchen remodeling and cabinet refacing. The company offers a business model that can initially be operated from home, although your particular operation can grow into a showroom or design-center model.

Potential services include:

• Cabinet refacing;
• New cabinets;
• Countertops;
• Kitchen remodeling;
• Related renovation work.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $102,367 to $148,052.

8. N-Hance Wood Refinishing

N-Hance is focused primarily on cabinet refinishing, cabinet refacing and wood-surface renewal.

This gives homeowners an alternative to completely replacing their existing kitchen cabinets.

A major advantage of this type of business is that you do not necessarily need a large retail showroom.

The business can start as a service operation and expand as demand grows.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $70,695 to $194,995.

9. Floor Coverings International

Floor Coverings International operates a mobile flooring showroom concept.

Instead of expecting customers to travel to a conventional flooring store, samples are taken to the customer’s home. Products can include:

• Hardwood;
• Carpet;
• Luxury vinyl;
• Laminate;
• Tile;
• Other flooring.

The model combines retailing with home-improvement project management and professional installation.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $183,000 to $247,000.

10. Footprints Floors

Footprints Floors is another flooring franchise, but its model is particularly focused on project management rather than requiring the franchise owner to install floors personally.

Franchise owners can coordinate subcontractors who perform work involving:

• Hardwood;
• Laminate;
• Tile;
• Vinyl;
• Other flooring projects.

The business can operate without a traditional retail showroom, helping reduce overhead.

Estimated initial investment: $81,905 to $118,330.

11. Concrete Craft

Concrete Craft specializes in decorative concrete and concrete-surface improvement. Services can include:

• Concrete resurfacing;
• Stamped concrete;
• Stained concrete;
• Concrete repair;
• Decorative overlays.

Customers can include homeowners as well as commercial property owners.

A large retail location is not normally necessary, although equipment, vehicles and sufficient working capital are important.

Estimated initial investment: $156,330 to $233,450.

12. GarageExperts

GarageExperts builds its business around upgrading garages and other concrete-floor spaces. Services include:

• Garage floor coatings;
• Commercial floor coatings;
• Garage cabinets;
• Slatwall;
• Storage systems.

This is a useful example of a very focused home-improvement franchise. Instead of trying to remodel every part of a house, the business becomes known for transforming one particular area.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $136,300 to $246,400.

13. Mighty Dog Roofing

Mighty Dog Roofing offers roofing and exterior home-improvement services.

Depending on the market, services can include:

• Roof inspections;
• Roof repairs;
• Roof replacement;
• Gutters;
• Siding;
• Windows;
• Skylights.

Owners are primarily building and managing a roofing company rather than personally installing every roof.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $200,000 to $303,000.

14. The Brothers That Just Do Gutters

This franchise demonstrates how narrow specialization can become an entire construction-related business.

The company focuses on gutter-related work rather than general remodeling. Services can include:

• Gutter installation;
• Gutter replacement;
• Gutter repair;
• Gutter guards;
• Related drainage solutions.

A specialized operation can be easier to systemize than a general contractor that accepts every kind of home-improvement project.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $145,250 to $285,000 under recent franchise disclosure figures.

15. Koala Insulation

Koala Insulation specializes in insulation and energy-efficiency services for residential and commercial properties. Possible services can include:

• Insulation installation;
• Insulation removal;
• Air sealing;
• Energy-efficiency improvements.

The business requires specialized equipment and vehicles, but it does not require you to finance entire construction projects.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $194,885 to $241,736.

16. Spray-Net

Spray-Net is an exterior and interior coatings franchise that uses specialized coating systems. The business can work on surfaces such as:

• Siding;
• Doors;
• Windows;
• Kitchen cabinets;
• Other appropriate home surfaces.

This is different from simply opening a conventional painting company because the franchise is built around specialized coatings, equipment and application processes.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $191,015 to $255,415.

17. Five Star Painting

Five Star Painting is part of the Neighborly family of home-service brands. Franchisees provide residential and commercial:

• Interior painting;
• Exterior painting;
• Cabinet painting;
• Deck-related painting and finishing.

The owner does not necessarily need to be a painter. The franchise is structured around managing the business, generating sales and coordinating qualified painting crews.

Estimated initial investment: $81,450 to $185,830.

18. Glass Doctor – Home and Business

Glass Doctor offers a Home and Business franchise model focused on glass repair and replacement. Services can include:

• Residential windows;
• Door glass;
• Commercial glass;
• Mirrors;
• Other glass-related installations.

This can serve both household and commercial customers, giving franchisees more than one potential source of revenue.

Estimated initial investment for the Home and Business model: approximately $154,650 to $311,850.

19. Mr. Handyman

Mr. Handyman provides repair, maintenance and smaller home-improvement projects.

Depending on the local operation and applicable licensing, services can include:

• Carpentry;
• Drywall;
• Painting;
• Door installation;
• Minor remodeling;
• Commercial maintenance.

The franchise follows an executive-ownership model, so you can concentrate on managing technicians, marketing and customer relationships instead of performing every repair yourself.

Estimated initial investment: $161,900 to $215,000.

20. Ace Handyman Services

Ace Handyman Services provides home repair and improvement services under the broader Ace brand. Services may include:

• Carpentry;
• Drywall;
• Painting;
• Flooring;
• Doors;
• General property repairs.

The business is structured around employing or managing skilled craftspeople while the owner builds the local customer base and manages operations.

Estimated initial investment: approximately $132,200 to $226,000.

Home Building and Home Improvement Franchise Cost Comparison

Which Home Improvement Franchises Require the Least Capital?

Based on the published investment ranges above, several of the lower-entry opportunities include:

• N-Hance;
• Five Star Painting;
• Footprints Floors;
• Kitchen Solvers;
• Bath Tune-Up.

However, the lowest advertised startup cost should not automatically determine which franchise you buy.

A $100,000 franchise with poor economics in your territory can be far more expensive than a $200,000 franchise that produces healthy cash flow.

What Should You Check Before Buying a Home Improvement Franchise?

Read the Franchise Disclosure Document

Do not rely entirely on a franchise website or salesperson. Pay particular attention to:

• Item 5 – initial fees;
• Item 6 – ongoing fees;
• Item 7 – estimated initial investment;
• Item 19 – financial performance representations, if provided;
• Item 20 – franchise openings, closures, transfers and system size.

Calculate the Ongoing Royalty

Your initial investment is only the beginning. You may also pay:

• Royalties;
• Brand-fund contributions;
• Technology fees;
• Required local advertising;
• Software fees;
• Other recurring charges.

A franchise with a lower upfront cost can therefore become expensive if its continuing fee structure is heavy.

Speak With Existing Franchisees

Do not speak only to franchise owners selected because they are particularly successful. Try to speak with several owners in markets similar to yours.

Ask them:

• How difficult was the first year?
• Was the estimated working capital sufficient?
• How much time does the owner actually work?
• Is lead generation effective?
• How difficult is finding skilled workers?
• Would they buy the franchise again?

Understand Contractor Licensing

Buying a franchise does not exempt you from state and local licensing requirements.

Depending on what your company does and where it operates, you may need:

• Contractor licenses;
• Trade licenses;
• Building permits;
• Insurance;
• Workers’ compensation;
• Qualified employees or subcontractors.

Confirm this before purchasing a territory.

Study the Territory

Your local housing market matters enormously. Look at:

• Number of homeowners;
• Home values;
• Age of housing stock;
• Household income;
• Construction activity;
• Competition;
• Climate;
• Local remodeling demand.

A roofing business, outdoor-living company and cabinet-refinishing business do not necessarily perform equally well in the same market.