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12 Best Plumbing Franchises [Cost, Fees]

The plumbing cum handyman industry provides general maintenance and repair services to residential and commercial customers, including plumbing and electrical repairs, appliance installation and repair, painting and carpentry.

Players in this industry install and maintain plumbing fixtures, fittings and equipment and industry activities include working on household pipes and drains; installation of gas cooking and heating appliances; working on bathroom and toilet fixtures and venting systems.

Emergency repair work (e.g. unclogging drains or repairing burst water mains), represents a significant source of industry revenue. They may also supply plumbing appliances and coupling products for construction projects as a means of increasing income for the business.

The industry grew as a result of the shift in focus from do-it-yourself (DIY) to do-it-for-me (DIFM) as the eighties drew to a close. This was because time became more precious for the upcoming generation than money. By the mid-nineties, handyman businesses began to appear all over the place to cater to people who did not have time to fix little problems in their homes.

So, if you are interested in this booming industry, you can actually start your own plumbing business via franchising. Franchising is not a business but a way of doing business. It is a unique and highly effective method of distribution for all kinds of products, goods and services.

It is also an industry that generates direct and indirect economic impact, over $2.3 trillion in annual sales. Franchised businesses demand products and services from other businesses and provide income to their workers and owners, who then spend their income and create still more income for other parties.

Franchising has become one of the most popular ways to grow a business in the United States. If you choose to buy a plumbing business franchise, here are some of the best plumbing franchises you can get in the United States of America;

12 Best Plumbing Franchise Opportunities and Their Cost

1. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Founded in 1998, Clockwork Home Services (formerly VenVest Inc.) establishes and builds nationally branded franchises for the home services contractor market. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is one of the brands in the Clockwork Inc. family, which also includes One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Mister Sparky.

Franchisees offer residential plumbing services including repairs, replacements and maintenance. Benjamin Franklin began franchising in 2000 and currently they operate 260 franchises in the United States from their corporate head office at 12 Greenway Plaza, #250 Houston, TX 77046, USA.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $89,805 –  $412,112
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $43,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 3 Percent

2. Mr. Rooter

Mr. Rooter offers plumbing, drain, and sewer cleaning to both the residential and commercial market. In 1970, David Duck started a plumbing company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma known as Mr. Rooter Plumbing. He sold it to The Dwyer Group in 1989, but he never left the company  –  to this day. Mr. Duck is the proud owner of the very original Mr. Rooter Plumbing in Oklahoma City. As of 2019, the company operates 210 franchises in the United States and 83 outside the country.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment Range: $74,975 to $182,140.
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5 –  7 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 2 Percent

3. Roto – Rooter

Roto – Rooter franchise is a network of more than 600 franchisees all over the world. Roto – Rooter franchise provides favorable opportunities for entrepreneurs aimed at a quick success. The company offers plumbing repair and sewer – drain cleaning services. Opening a Roto – Rooter plumbing and drain cleaning franchise means starting a business with a well – known brand name and impeccable reputation on the market.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $40,000 –  $65,000
  • Net – worth Requirement: $4,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000

4. Bluefrog

Bluefrog franchise is a quality service in the field of plumbing. It is one of the most successful home service franchises because it’s recession – resistant. Bluefrog franchise is one of the extremely affordable franchise opportunities for its best value of cost and profit.

Owning a Bluefrog plumbing and drain franchise means that you will get a proven business model, training and operational support and powerful marketing. Bluefrog was founded in 2013 and they began franchising in 2014. Currently, they have 11 franchise enterprises with their corporate head office at 5113 Steinbeck Bend Dr.Waco, TX 76708.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $109,730 –  $361,015
  • Net – worth Requirement: $150,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $50,000 –  $100,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $47,500 –  $137,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4 to 6 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 2 Percent

5. Rooter – Man, Corp.

Rooter – Man, Corp. provides residential and commercial sewer and drain cleaning services in the United States. In addition, it provides drain cleaning products, including liquid drain cleaners; and an alive bacterial emulsion that attack grease, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, as well as controls odors.

Rooter – Man was founded in 1970 by CEO, Donald MacDonald, in N. Billerica, MA. Rooter – Man began franchising in 1981, and currently has over 639 locations throughout the United States and Canada with her corporate head office at 268 Rangeway Rd. North Billerica, MA 01862, USA.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $46,750 –  $137,600
  • Net – worth Requirement: $25,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $10,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $3,975 –  $39,750
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: Varies
  • Ad Royalty Fee: Varies

6. Delta Restoration Services

Delta Restoration Services provides commercial and residential restoration services. The company offers services like; removing odors, eliminating mold plumbing and drain cleaning services. The company was founded in 2006. As of 2018, the company operates 27 franchises in the United States with her corporate head office at 5525 W. 56th Ave., #300 Arvada, CO 80002, USA.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $116,075 –  $257,375
  • Net – worth Requirement: $100,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $60,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5 Percent / 7 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: to 2 Percent

7. Ace DuraFlo Systems LLC

Ace DuraFlo Systems started in 1998 with the goal of developing a solution to pipe corrosion other than re-piping. The company’s ePIPE system allows franchisees to offer in – place pipe repair and restoration, eliminating the need to damage walls, floors, ceilings and foundations by tearing piping out.

Ace DuraFlo Systems began franchising in 2001, about 19 years ago. Ace DuraFlo Systems has her corporate head office at 3122 W. Alpine St. Santa Ana, CA 92704 and Larry Gillanders is the current CEO of the company. Ace DuraFlo Systems LLC has relationships with third – party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, and equipment.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $41,515 – $420,075
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $19,900 – $24,900
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 8 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 1.5 Percent

8. Michael & Son Services

Michael & Son Services is one of the leading plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and duct – cleaning services companies in the United States. Michael & Son Services was founded in 1976 and they began franchising in 2010, about 10 years ago. Michael & Son Services has her corporate head office at 5740 General Washington Dr. Alexandria, VA 22312 and Basim Mansour, is the founder and current CEO of the company.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $171,000 – $402,200
  • Net – worth Requirement: $200,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $50,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000 – $40,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: Up to 1 Percent
  • Veteran Incentives: $5,000 off franchise fee

9. 1 – 800 – Plumber + Air

1 – 800 – Plumber + Air is one of the leading plumbing and HVAC services companies that is into franchising in the United States of America. 1 – 800 – Plumber + Air was founded in 1983 and they began franchising in 2017, about 3 years ago. 1 – 800 – Plumber + Air has her corporate head office at 2934 E. Broadway, #200 Pearland, TX 77581 and Mark Collins is the current CEO of the company.

1 – 800 – Plumber + Air has relationships with third – party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment: $105,995 – $241,395
  • Net – worth Requirement: $150,000 – $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $95,000 – $150,000
  • Ongoing Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000 – $45,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6 Percent
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 2 Percent
  • Veteran Incentives: 20 Percent off franchise fee

10. 1 – 800 WATER DAMAGE

1 – 800 WATER DAMAGE is looking for ambitious, detail-oriented visionaries who have an undeniable drive to succeed. If you have these qualities and the desire to own a business that makes a difference, they’d love to hear from you. As the fastest – growing property restoration franchise in the nation, 1 – 800 WATER DAMAGE has ample space available.

Because the brand is on the rise, they have territories available in prime markets throughout the country. Unlike other brands in the restoration industry, 1 – 800 WATER DAMAGE offers large, protected territories serving up to 350,000 people.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $50,000
  • Veterans: 1 – 800 WATER DAMAGE proudly offers a discount to veterans interested in investing in the franchise with 20 Percent off the Franchise Fee.

11. Grand Comfort Plumbing & Sewer

There are countless expert plumbers who are eager to start their own businesses, but unfortunately, they are gambling with their savings without a proven model for success. The Grand Comfort model is like the Uber of the home services market. Today, service providers and end – users alike want service on-demand, with transparent pricing, and reliable results.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $5,000
  • Franchise Fee: $8,800
  • Total Investment Range: $8,800 –  $29,700

12. PLUMBERZ

PLUMBERZ is looking for ambitious, self – made starters and detail – oriented visionaries who have an undeniable drive to succeed. If you have these qualities and the desire to own a business that makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. When you call PLUMBERZ with a plumbing, drain, or sewer problem, you can rest assured you’ll be working with a knowledgeable, responsible, and trustworthy team of plumbing professionals.

Unlike the rest of the industry, PLUMBERZ excels in plumbing, drains and sewers. This means that they’re able to help clients fix all of their plumbing jobs, no matter how complicated the job may be. In turn, the franchise owners benefit from multiple lines of service.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $50,000
  • Net Worth Required: $250,000
  • Total Investment Range: $147,103 –  $345,300
  • Franchise Fee: $19,900 –  $44,900