How do I compare handyman and property maintenance franchise opportunities?

Handyman and property maintenance brands can look alike on a website. Underneath, they ask different things of the person who signs. Before you read any agreement, write down the day you want to have, then see which brands fit it. A short list built on that picture saves time and keeps you from choosing on branding alone.

Owner-operator or manager

Some brands expect the owner to do jobs, quote and sell. Others expect the owner to manage a team and stay off the tools. Neither is better. Ask each brand what a typical week looks like for an owner a few years in, and whether you could step back from the work later if you wanted to.

Residential, commercial and property-manager work

Homeowner jobs tend to be small and varied. Property-manager and commercial accounts bring repeat orders but different expectations about response time and paperwork. Ask each brand what mix its franchisees actually serve, and how the brand wins the larger accounts. Also ask where leads come from, and how much you are expected to generate on your own.

Staffing, territory and franchisee questions

Find out what the brand expects you to staff, what training it provides and how large and protected the territory is. Then call several current franchisees, including ones the brand did not suggest. Ask what surprised them and what they would ask again. Ask each brand how franchise purchases are usually financed, and what a lender will want to see.