Owning a business is a dream for many, and the rewards that come with it are huge. They include flexibility, freedom, and financial reward. One path to your success could just be found in a home service franchise.
Why? Because it is one of the best ways to fast-track yourself on the path to entrepreneurship. Joining a franchise allows you to plug into a proven system. This includes all the training and marketing you need, as well as a business model that’s already been tested. All this without building a brand from scratch.
Interested in finding out more? Keep reading because in this guide, we answer key questions such as “What skills do I need to own a franchise?”, “How much does it cost to buy a home service franchise?”, and “Should I choose a franchise vs starting my own cleaning business?”
We also highlight actual examples from brands listed on Franchise Fame.
In this article:
The 8 Key Steps to Franchise Ownership in the Home Service Franchise Industry
Starting a business from scratch is not easy. There are also fewer guarantees that the business will work out over time. But with franchising, this picture changes dramatically. It comes with proven systems, recession-resistant models, an established brand, support, and so much more. With this in mind, here are the key steps involved in getting started in the home service franchise industry.
Step 1: Decide which type of home service franchise fits you
“Home services” cover a wide range of options. Before you start looking at the numbers, get clear on what you actually want to do on a day-to-day basis. A few popular categories to think about and choose from are:
- Cleaning and residential services franchises
- Handyman business franchises and residential repair franchises
- Plumbing, restoration, and emergency services
- Lawn care, gardening, and landscaping franchises
- Pest control service franchises
- Home inspection franchises
Choosing the best home services franchise for you comes down to budget, preferred work style, and long-term goals. The table below compares some of the main categories of home services franchise opportunities available on Franchise Fame, along with example brands and their typical minimum investment levels.
| Home service type | Example brands on Franchise Fame | Typical role of the owner | Approximate minimum investment* |
| Residential cleaning and maid services | Two Maids | Office-based management of teams and schedules | From around $90k+ |
| Handyman and home repair services | Ace Handyman Services, Mr. Handyman, House Doctors | Local marketing, quoting, team leadership, customer care | Around $90k–$120k+ |
| Plumbing and emergency services | Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, SERVPRO | Managing technicians, vehicles, and 24/7 response systems | Often $80k–$180k+ |
| Lawn care and landscaping | The Grounds Guys, NaturaLawn of America | Building recurring route schedules and crews | From about $47k–$80k+ |
| Pest and wildlife control | Critter Control | Local sales, compliance, and route optimisation | Around $80k+ |
| Home inspection | Pillar To Post | Owner-operator inspections and building client relationships | From about $100k+ |
| Specialist construction and niche trades | Temporary Wall Systems, Anchored Tiny Homes | Project management, subcontractor coordination | From about $100k+ |
*These figures are based on the current minimum investment ranges listed on Franchise Fame at the time of writing and may change. Always refer to each franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for precise costs.
Step 2: Understand what skills you actually need
One of the biggest myths about franchising is that it requires technical expertise. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. That’s because many franchise brands are designed to enable their franchisees to focus on management, marketing, and customer relationships while offering full and ongoing training and support to help you get started and succeed.
In short, different skillsets help in different scenarios, but the most common ones you may need to own a home service franchise include the following:
- Leadership and people management
- Sales and local marketing
- Organization and operational discipline
- Customer empathy
Technical skills are helpful, but they are rarely mandatory. Most franchisors provide thorough training that covers everything from cleaning and safety protocols to inspection standards or restoration processes.
Step 3: Compare franchise vs starting your own business
Is starting a franchise vs starting your own cleaning or handyman business better? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are the trade-offs to consider:
| Starting your own business | Buying a home service franchise |
| Lower upfront fees, but you must create your own brand, website, marketing, and systems.No support network if you hit obstacles.Harder to prove credibility to customers and lenders in the early years. | The initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties give you direct access to brand recognition, proven systems, and ongoing support.Proven marketing strategies.The network of other franchise owners shares best practices, so you never feel alone. |
If your goal is to scale faster and reduce trial and error, a home services franchise opportunity can be the more efficient route, especially in competitive markets.
Step 4: Know the costs: from affordable to premium franchises
So, how much does it cost to buy a home service franchise in 2026? While numbers vary, you’ll generally see a variation in the figures, ranging from entry-level through to higher-end options:
- Entry-level/affordable home service franchises may start with minimum investments in the $50,000–$100,000 range.
- Mid-range concepts fall into the $80,000–$200,000+ range, depending on the territory size and number of vehicles.
- High-end or equipment-heavy brands can require larger initial investments, often paired with higher revenue potential.
On each Franchise Fame listing, you’ll see minimum investment figures. These figures provide a benchmark before you dig into each brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Step 5: Consider financing and veteran incentives
Some individuals are specifically interested in franchises for veterans with financing options.
The good news is that many home service brands offer veteran discounts on franchise fees. For example, several home services brands participate in VetFran and similar programmes, offering percentage discounts on initial franchise fees to qualified veterans.
You should also definitely ask about in-house financing or third-party lender support. Some brands help you secure loans or offer partial in-house financing for part of the franchise fee or equipment. This can make a real difference to your upfront cash requirement.
Step 6: Choose the right territory
Even the best home services franchise concept can struggle in the wrong territory. That’s why geography shows up so often as a primary factor for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking these opportunities.
Franchise Fame makes this easier with state-specific pages, such as home service franchises in Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York, Arizona, and the rest of the states in the US.
These state pages help you:
- See which brands are actively promoting territories in your state.
- Compare investment ranges and sectors side-by-side.
- Understand local demand based on housing growth, demographics, and economic conditions.
If you’re still flexible on location, you can cross-reference multiple states to identify where your preferred home service type (for example, lawn care, handyman, or pest control) has the best opportunity for growth.
Step 7: Learn from home service franchise success stories
Before signing any agreement, take the time to read existing franchisees’ success stories and speak with them if you have the chance. Many brands featured on Franchise Fame share:
- Case studies of owners who grew from a single van to multiple territories.
- Stories of career-changers who left corporate roles to build a residential services franchise.
- Examples of veterans and family teams who leveraged franchise systems to achieve financial independence.
When you speak to current owners, ask about:
- Their ramp-up timeline and how long it took to reach break-even
- The most effective marketing channels in their territory
- The level of support they actually receive from the franchisor
- What they would do differently if they were to start again
This real-world feedback will help you distinguish between marketing promises and on-the-ground reality.
Step 8: Take the next step
If you’re ready to kick off 2026 on a high note with the title of franchisee, it’s time to take these steps and proceed. Move from research to action with confidence and start by exploring the full list of home services franchise opportunities in the US.
Shortlist a few concepts that match your budget and lifestyle, then request more information. For any help, know that the Franchise Fame team is here to support you on this endeavor.
Conclusion
The path to entrepreneurship through a home service franchise is both accessible and highly structured. Success in 2026 depends not on technical skills, but on your ability to follow a proven system, lead a team, and apply local marketing know-how.
By methodically completing the eight steps mentioned here, you drastically mitigate startup risk. Leveraging a recession-resistant model and established brand recognition is the fastest route to scale. Franchise Fame is your comprehensive resource, providing vetted opportunities and the necessary details to move from research to ownership.
Visit the Franchise Fame US portal today to explore top home service opportunities and reach out for any help or support.
