A home service franchise is a business with steady demand, recurring customers, and relatively low overhead. From cleaning and lawn care to plumbing, pest control, and home inspection, home services franchise opportunities continue to expand across the US. And 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year for this sector.
According to recent research, the US home services market was worth over $200 billion in 2024. Over the short- to medium-term by the early 2030s, projections reach several hundred billion dollars. Add to this equation an aging housing stock (with around 40% of US homes being more than 50 years old) and historically high homeownership rates, and you get a serious engine of growth. That’s where residential service franchises come in.
In this guide, we’ll explore why home service franchises are thriving, highlight some of the most profitable home service franchise categories, and showcase real brands you can explore on Franchise Fame.
In this article:
Why Home Service Franchises Are Booming in 2026
A couple of long-term trends are converging to make home services one of the most attractive areas in franchising:
- “Repair and improve” instead of moving: Housing affordability remains a challenge, and mortgage rates are only slowly starting to normalise. Because of this, many homeowners are choosing to stay put and invest in maintenance and repair rather than moving. While large remodeling projects fluctuate, spending on smaller repairs and upkeep remains resilient.
- Aging homes and infrastructure: Typically, older homes need more regular maintenance. This encompasses everything from plumbing and electrical to roofing, insulation, and pest control. This scenario directly benefits maintenance franchise models such as plumbing, home repair, and property restoration franchise concepts.
- Outsourcing over DIY: Time-poor households and ageing populations increasingly prefer professional help to “do it yourself” options. This shift supports everything from maid services to gardening and home repair service franchises.
- Digital-first customer behaviour: Customers now expect online booking, instant quotes, and transparent reviews. Brands that embrace digital tools ranging from local search engine optimization (SEO) to smart scheduling are capturing greater market share. As such, franchise systems with strong marketing support are especially attractive.
Most Profitable Home Service Franchise Categories
Profitability is a major factor when deciding on which home service franchise is right for you. But this depends on factors such as territory, competition, and execution. However, some categories repeatedly stand out in search data and franchise reports:
- Cleaning and maid services
Residential cleaning remains one of the classic small home service franchise models. With recurring weekly or bi-weekly visits and relatively low equipment costs, it is a popular entry point for new franchisees. Two Maids is an example of a cleaning franchise on Franchise Fame. It specializes in high-quality residential services and a performance-based pay model for staff.
- Handyman and home repair services
Handyman franchise opportunity searches continue to rise as more homeowners look for reliable, “one-call-does-it-all” solutions. A few strong home repair franchise opportunities you might consider include Ace Handyman Services, Mr. Handyman, and House Doctors. They come with brand recognition and proven systems, which takes a lot of the preliminary work out of starting a business from scratch.
- Lawn care, gardening, and landscaping
The lawn and garden segment serves millions of households. Added to this are the numerous commercial clients. Regardless of whether you serve residential or commercial clients, one thing is certain: eco-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking organic or low-impact garden treatments. This is where brands like NaturaLawn of America and landscaping leaders such as The Grounds Guys truly stand out.
- Plumbing, restoration, and emergency services
Emergencies happen. And such work, including burst pipes, water damage, and fire cleanup, often yields higher margins. Also, it is typically backed by insurance. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and SERVPRO are just some of several examples of plumbing and property restoration franchises on Franchise Fame.
- Pest control and wildlife removal
Pest control franchises are classic “need-based” services. They are characterized by recurring contracts and high customer retention. As an example, Critter Control offers wildlife removal and pest control services to both residential and commercial customers.
- Home inspection and specialist niches
Home inspection franchises like Pillar To Post and specialist niche brands such as Temporary Wall Systems and Anchored Tiny Homes demonstrate just how diverse the home services space has become.
What Does It Cost to Buy a Home Service Franchise?
One of the most frequently asked questions by potential franchisees is: “How much does it cost to buy a home service franchise?” The answer varies by concept and territory size, but many fall in a mid-range investment band. Here’s what else you should know:
- Some entry-level and affordable home service franchises may start from around $50,000–$100,000 in total investment, particularly in cleaning and lawn care.
- More established brands that require vehicles, equipment, or larger territories (such as plumbing, restoration, or construction-adjacent franchises) may require $100,000–$250,000 or more, depending on your market and growth plan.
- Many systems offer financing support or participate in veteran discount programs, making them attractive franchises for veterans with financing options.
Where Are the Best Markets for Home Service Franchises?
Because home services are location-based, your territory choice matters as much as your brand. High-growth states with strong housing markets often feature prominently when people search for home service franchises for sale in Texas or top-rated residential service franchises in the Sun Belt.
On Franchise Fame, you can easily explore state-specific franchises such as:
How to Choose the Right Home Service Franchise for You
If you’ve taken the time to explore home service franchises on Franchise Fame, you’ll notice that there are many options on the market. Choosing the right opportunity and niche for you means aligning your personal and professional goals with the franchise opportunity.
Here are some key factors you should weigh up:
- Service type vs your skills: Are you a more hands-on type of person, or do you prefer more consultative work? For the former, consider a landscaping franchise as it’s more labor-intensive. For the latter, a home inspection franchise could be a better fit for you.
If you like leading teams and coordinating multiple tasks daily, a handyman or renovation-focused residential repair franchise may be more suitable for you.
- Investment level and scalability: The cost of the franchise will also play an important role in choosing the right franchise for you. Luckily, there are options for everyone. You should choose the right one for you based on whether you’d like a small home service franchise you can run yourself or a scalable, multi-crew operation. Look at the minimum investment levels, working capital needs, and how many territories you can eventually own.
- Brand strength and support: The great thing about buying a franchise is that it comes with a recognized brand. This gives you instant recognition in the industry, which normally takes years to build. Also worth considering is the franchisor’s levels of support. To do this well, review each franchisor’s training, marketing, and technology stack. Strong brands often provide local SEO support, call centre assistance, and proven systems for recruiting technicians.
- Local demand and competition: Market research will be a critical starting point for every business opportunity, including franchising. That’s why it’s always a good idea to first check how many competing providers already operate in your area. After this, you should determine if there’s room for a new brand that brings better service, eco-friendly positioning, or specialized expertise.
- Lifestyle and schedule: Another important factor to consider is how hands-on you want to be and how much time you can devote to your franchise business. Some home services franchises operate mainly Monday to Friday, which is great for those who prefer a more fixed schedule. Meanwhile, emergency restoration and plumbing can involve evening or weekend work. To make the right decision for you, be sure to align the model with your preferred lifestyle.
What’s Next?
It’s time to capitalize on a strong industry and explore the best home services franchise options for 2026. Start by browsing the full list of home service franchise opportunities in the US on Franchise Fame. Then, shortlist a few concepts, compare their investment levels, and reach out to us for more information.
From maintenance franchise concepts in cleaning or lawn care to high-margin restoration and plumbing brands, the home services sector offers a wide range of choices for aspiring franchisees. And the good news is that demand isn’t slowing down any time soon.
