Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
In-Home Tech Help for Older Adults Business
A patient, one-to-one service that helps older adults set up and use phones, tablets, computers, Wi-Fi and smart-home devices, and spot scams, in their homes or remotely.
Figures last verified October 31, 2026
$25 – $915*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Department of Justice — Record review (request a copy of your own criminal record)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Startup cost
Coming soon
Time to first revenue
Low
Difficulty
Low
Physical demand
Yes
Can run solo
Year-round; busier after holiday gift season
Seasonality
* Startup cost excludes budget lines we haven't sourced yet.
Risk Meter
Eight factors from this guide's own data, each scored 1 (lowest risk) to 5 (highest). Every score shows why.
Overall risk
Moderate
2.3 out of 5
Average of 6 of 8 factors, weighted equally. 1 is the lowest risk and 5 the highest. It measures risk, not how much you'll earn, and it isn't a prediction. How we score risk.
Money at risk
Not scoredAt least $915
5 startup lines aren't sourced yet, so the real total is higher. We'll score this once the budget is complete.
Time to earn it back
Not scoredNot scored yet
Some startup or operating cost lines aren't sourced yet, so a payback time would look shorter than it really is.
Franchise closure rate
1 / 52.4% a yearPending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Closures = terminations + non-renewals + outlets that ceased operations, divided by franchised outlets at the start of the year.
Average of 3 brands: CMIT Solutions (business IT, not home help) 0.4% (2025); TeamLogic IT (business IT, not home help) 2.6% (2025); uBreakiFix by Asurion (retail repair store) 4.4% (2025). Our calculation from each FDD's Item 20.
Loan default rate
5 / 522.4% vs 7.2% for all industriesPending verificationSourceSBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, files as of September 30, 2026 (our count by NAICS code)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Charged off = the SBA wrote off the unpaid balance after the borrower stopped paying. An industry code can include businesses unlike this one.
94 of 419 SBA 7(a) loans to Computer and Office Machine Repair and Maintenance (NAICS 811212), approved FY2010–2019, were charged off. Our count from the SBA's loan-level data; 34 loans were still open, so the final rate may be slightly higher.
Demand trend
5 / 5ShrinkingPending verificationSourcesU.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2019, U.S. file (cbp19us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2023, U.S. file (cbp23us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026
Computer and office machine repair and maintenance (NAICS 811212), the nearest code we found, employer establishments −10.2% (5,047 to 4,531) vs +5.1% for all industries, 2019–2023. The code mostly counts repair shops, not in-home help, so treat this as loose evidence.
Licensing and rules
1 / 5Light
No state license for computer or device help; only a city or county business license (see Licensing).
Customer concentration
1 / 5Many customers
Many households and individual older adults; losing one barely matters.
Physical demand
1 / 5Low
From the guide's at-a-glance rating; see the risks section for details.
Franchise vs. Independent
Same type of business. Two very different paths.
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $40,000 – $54,950Pending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $106,450 – $468,150Pending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $25 – $915*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Department of Justice — Record review (request a copy of your own criminal record)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $18,555 – $19,255Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — Insurance cost for IT consultants(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Splashtop — Plans and prices (Remote Support SOS)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $18,555 – $19,255 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $165,047 – $521,039 | $18,580 – $20,170* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $40,000 – $54,950Pending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $106,450 – $468,150Pending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $25 – $915*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Department of Justice — Record review (request a copy of your own criminal record)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (3 brands)
- 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026TeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026uBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $18,555 – $19,255Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — Insurance cost for IT consultants(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Splashtop — Plans and prices (Remote Support SOS)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $18,555 – $19,255
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $165,047 – $521,039
- Independent
- $18,580 – $20,170*
5-year totals assume $38,688–$96,096 in yearly revenue (our forecast presets at full volume), the same sourced operating costs (insurance, software, fees) on both paths, and both the lean and professional independent plans. Franchise investment figures come from each brand's disclosure (FDD Item 7) and already include the franchise fee. * Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet. Adjust the assumptions.
What franchisees report taking in
From each brand's own disclosure (FDD Item 19), copied exactly. These are gross sales before royalties and costs, not profit, and not a promise of what you will earn.
CMIT Solutions (business IT, not home help)
CMIT's Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue, gross margins and technician costs for franchisees open 24 months or more, split by how many territories they own; the figures are gross revenue, not profit.
- Average gross revenue, 2025, 74 franchisees with one territory (open 24+ months)$516,821 a yearPending verificationSourceCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1(d). Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. 23 of 74 (31%) exceeded the average. Excludes 50 franchisees open under 24 months, reporting fewer than 10 months, or not operating full-time. Unaudited. Your results may differ.
- Median gross revenue, 2025, 74 franchisees with one territory (open 24+ months)$309,717 a yearPending verificationSourceCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1(d). Gross revenue, not profit. Revenue comes from business clients (managed services, projects, hardware and software sales), not home visits.
- Lowest gross revenue, 2025, among the 74 single-territory franchisees$11,113 a yearPending verificationSourceCMIT Solutions 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 27, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1(d). The highest in the same group was $2,897,277. Gross revenue, not profit.
TeamLogic IT (business IT, not home help)
TeamLogic IT's Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue for 182 franchisees open at least 12 months, by quartile and by number of locations; the figures are gross revenue, not profit.
- Average gross revenue, 2025, 125 franchisees with one location$624,483 a yearPending verificationSourceTeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses, not profit. 41 of 125 (33%) exceeded the average. Excludes 22 franchisees open under 12 months and 7 that closed in 2025. Qualified franchisees had operated an average of 7.2 years. Unaudited. Your results may differ.
- Median gross revenue, 2025, 125 franchisees with one location$405,141 a yearPending verificationSourceTeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross revenue, not profit. Revenue comes from business clients, including product resale.
- Average gross revenue, 2025, bottom quartile (45 franchisees)$143,675 a yearPending verificationSourceTeamLogic IT 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, quartile table. The lowest single franchisee reported $9,145. Gross revenue, not profit.
uBreakiFix by Asurion (retail repair store)
uBreakiFix's Item 19 reports 2025 total revenue, cost of goods and gross profit for U.S. franchisee stores open at least one year; gross profit is before rent, payroll, royalties and all other expenses.
- Average total revenue, 2025, 425 franchisee stores open 3+ years$612,328.07 a yearPending verificationSourceuBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Total revenue, not profit. 191 stores (45%) met or exceeded the average. National accounts made up 64.4% of system revenue in 2025. Excludes mobile units and stores that opened, closed or changed ownership during 2025. Unaudited. Your results may differ.
- Median total revenue, 2025, 425 franchisee stores open 3+ years$593,881.02 a yearPending verificationSourceuBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Total revenue, not profit. The low store reported $214,930.70.
- Average total revenue, 2025, 95 franchisee stores open 1–3 years$545,898.37 a yearPending verificationSourceuBreakiFix by Asurion 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Total revenue, not profit. 38 stores (40%) met or exceeded the average.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- A national IT-services brand with a large franchise network
- Initial training program and an operations manual
- Required business software and remote-monitoring tools supplied through the franchisor
- Vendor and alliance-partner relationships for business clients
- A national managed-IT brand with initial training for two people
- Remote monitoring and business software supplied through the franchisor
- Conversion option for an existing independent IT business
- A network of other owners to learn from
- Backed by Asurion, with national-account repair work routed to stores
- Initial training plus 16 days of on-site training at opening
- Parts supply and buyback credits through the franchisor's affiliate
- Repairs phones, tablets and computers, the same devices older clients use
Going independent means
- You keep 100% of what you earn after costs — no royalties.
- You build your own brand, systems, and customer base.
- You need more self-reliance, especially in the first year.
Startup Budget
One-time costs to launch, from cited sources. Totals are added up from the lines below.
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| City or county business license | Data coming soon | ||
| Your own California criminal-record review, to show clients and familiesPending verificationSourceCalifornia Department of Justice — Record review (request a copy of your own criminal record)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026California DOJ processing fee for a Live Scan record review of your own record. The Live Scan site's rolling fee is extra and varies by site. Not required by law; families often ask for it. | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Laptop and smartphone you can use for demonstrations | Data coming soon | ||
| Website, scheduling and invoicing software | Data coming soon | ||
| Marketing launch (cards, flyers for senior centers and libraries, local listings) | Data coming soon | ||
| Total (sourced lines only) | $25 | $25 | $25 |
Share of mid estimate
- Your own California criminal-record review, to show clients and families100%
Budget spreadsheet
Every line with its sources, included in the complete kit.
The total leaves out 4 lines we haven't sourced yet. We don't guess.
24-Month Forecast
An example to plan with. Every assumption is yours to change.
This is an estimate, not a prediction
Average ticket is the low end of Thumbtack's $93–$227 national computer-repair range. Visits per week, ramp-up, variable costs (mileage, cables and small parts) and the flat seasonality are our assumptions, not operator data. Change any assumption to match your market. Your results will differ.
- Break-even
- Month 1
- Year-1 revenue
- $24,180
- Year-2 profit
- $31,039
Show monthly table
| Month | Jobs | Revenue | Costs | Profit | Cumulative cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Mar) | 8.7 | $806 | $396 | $410 | $385 |
| 2 (Apr) | 11.0 | $1,026 | $418 | $608 | $994 |
| 3 (May) | 13.4 | $1,246 | $440 | $806 | $1,800 |
| 4 (Jun) | 15.8 | $1,465 | $462 | $1,004 | $2,804 |
| 5 (Jul) | 18.1 | $1,685 | $484 | $1,202 | $4,005 |
| 6 (Aug) | 20.5 | $1,905 | $506 | $1,400 | $5,405 |
| 7 (Sep) | 22.8 | $2,125 | $527 | $1,597 | $7,002 |
| 8 (Oct) | 25.2 | $2,345 | $549 | $1,795 | $8,798 |
| 9 (Nov) | 27.6 | $2,565 | $571 | $1,993 | $10,791 |
| 10 (Dec) | 29.9 | $2,784 | $593 | $2,191 | $12,982 |
| 11 (Jan) | 32.3 | $3,004 | $615 | $2,389 | $15,370 |
| 12 (Feb) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $17,957 |
| 13 (Mar) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $20,544 |
| 14 (Apr) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $23,130 |
| 15 (May) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $25,717 |
| 16 (Jun) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $28,303 |
| 17 (Jul) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $30,890 |
| 18 (Aug) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $33,477 |
| 19 (Sep) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $36,063 |
| 20 (Oct) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $38,650 |
| 21 (Nov) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $41,236 |
| 22 (Dec) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $43,823 |
| 23 (Jan) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $46,410 |
| 24 (Feb) | 34.7 | $3,224 | $637 | $2,587 | $48,996 |
Pricing
What customers typically pay, from large-sample cost data.
What customers pay
- Computer repair, national average range (Thumbtack)$93 – $227Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — 2026 Computer Repair Prices (last updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Per job, based on estimates Thumbtack pros give customers plus Thumbtack's own research. No published sample size. Low end $49, high end $435. Covers repairs generally, not only in-home help.
- Troubleshooting to find the problem (Thumbtack)$114 – $154Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — 2026 Computer Repair Prices (last updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026National average price range per job. No published sample size.
- Geek Squad in-home: new computer or tablet setup (no data transfer)$174.99Pending verificationSourceBest Buy / Geek Squad — Computer & Tablet Services price list(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Geek Squad's published national price for one service visit. Shown as what a large competitor charges, not what an independent helper should charge. Free or included for My Best Buy Total members on some services.
- Geek Squad in-home: home Wi-Fi setup$174.99Pending verificationSourcesBest Buy / Geek Squad — Home Wi-Fi Setup(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Best Buy / Geek Squad — Computer & Tablet Services price list(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Geek Squad's published national price for one service visit. Shown as what a large competitor charges, not what an independent helper should charge. Free or included for My Best Buy Total members on some services. Includes router setup, connecting wireless devices and setting a unique network name and passwords.
- Geek Squad in-home: printer setup$124.99Pending verificationSourceBest Buy / Geek Squad — Computer & Tablet Services price list(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Geek Squad's published national price for one service visit. Shown as what a large competitor charges, not what an independent helper should charge. Free or included for My Best Buy Total members on some services.
- Geek Squad remote: software setup or troubleshooting$39.99Pending verificationSourceBest Buy / Geek Squad — Computer & Tablet Services price list(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Geek Squad's published price for one remote session. Shows what remote help sells for compared with an in-home visit.
What similar businesses take in
Context only, not a promise of what you will earn. Government figures cover every business in the industry; guide figures are rougher. Tap the source icon to see which is which. These are revenue, before costs.
- Receipts per business, NAICS 81121 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, nonemployer (solo, no payroll) businesses, United States, 2023$51,154 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Nonemployer Statistics 2023, U.S. file (nonemp23us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026$1,485,498,000 in receipts across 29,040 nonemployer businesses, divided by us and rounded to the dollar. Gross receipts, not profit. Census publishes this only at the 5-digit level, which also includes electronics, communication-equipment and precision-instrument repair. Context only, not a promise or prediction. These Census industry codes cover all computer repair and computer-service businesses, most of which serve businesses or fix hardware in a shop; none is specific to in-home help for older adults.
- Receipts per business, NAICS 81121 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, nonemployer (solo, no payroll) businesses, California, 2023$58,327 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Nonemployer Statistics 2023, state file (nonemp23st)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026$212,776,000 in receipts across 3,648 nonemployer businesses, divided by us and rounded to the dollar. Gross receipts, not profit. Context only, not a promise or prediction. These Census industry codes cover all computer repair and computer-service businesses, most of which serve businesses or fix hardware in a shop; none is specific to in-home help for older adults.
- Receipts per firm, NAICS 811212 Computer and Office Machine Repair and Maintenance, employer firms with fewer than 5 employees, United States, 2022$263,088 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, by state and 6-digit NAICS (released April 10, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026$853,457,000 in receipts across 3,244 firms, divided by us and rounded to the dollar. Employer firms only (they have payroll); owner-only businesses are not included. Gross receipts, not profit. Context only, not a promise or prediction. These Census industry codes cover all computer repair and computer-service businesses, most of which serve businesses or fix hardware in a shop; none is specific to in-home help for older adults.
- Receipts per firm, NAICS 541519 Other Computer Related Services, employer firms with fewer than 5 employees, United States, 2022$429,327 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, by state and 6-digit NAICS (released April 10, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026$3,641,983,000 in receipts across 8,483 firms, divided by us and rounded to the dollar. Employer firms only. This code is mostly business IT services (for example computer disaster recovery and software installation), so it runs well above what a solo home-visit helper takes in. Gross receipts, not profit. Context only, not a promise or prediction. These Census industry codes cover all computer repair and computer-service businesses, most of which serve businesses or fix hardware in a shop; none is specific to in-home help for older adults.
Key Risks and How to Manage Them
Handling passwords, bank logins and personal data
Clients will hand you phones that are signed in to email, banking and medical portals, and some will ask you to write down or reset their passwords. If money goes missing or an account is misused, you are the first person a family will suspect, even if you did nothing wrong.
How to manage it: Never keep client passwords. Have the client type them, or set up a password manager they control with a trusted family member. Never log in to a bank or move money. Write this policy into your service agreement and say it out loud at the first visit.
Elder financial abuse law applies to you
California Welfare and Institutions Code §15610.30 treats taking or keeping an elder's property, or helping someone else do it, as financial abuse, including by undue influence, and counts it as wrongful if you knew or should have known it was likely to harm them. Accepting gifts, loans or being named in a will by a client can look like abuse.
How to manage it: Accept no gifts, loans or favors beyond your invoice. Bill only by card or check to the business, with itemized invoices. If you see signs that someone else is exploiting a client, contact your county's Adult Protective Services.
Getting caught in the middle of a scam
Tech-support scams hit people 60 and older hard: the FBI's 2025 IC3 report counted 21,333 tech and customer support complaints from people 60+ and $1,040,730,043 in losses. Scammers pose as tech helpers, so a genuine helper has to work to be trusted, and you may arrive after money has already gone.
How to manage it: Teach clients to call you only at a number they already have, never via a pop-up. Help them report losses to IC3 and their bank right away. Don't promise to recover money.
Lost photos, broken devices and data-privacy mistakes
Wiping a phone, migrating a computer or resetting a router can destroy years of photos or lock someone out of accounts. You will also see private messages, health records and financial information.
How to manage it: Back up before you change anything, and get the client's okay in writing for resets. Keep no copies of client data on your own devices, use remote-support software that requires the client's permission each session, and carry tech E&O insurance.
Small tickets mean you need many visits
A visit sells for roughly $90 to $175, and older clients often want slow, unhurried sessions. Driving time between homes eats into billable hours, so income grows slowly.
How to manage it: Group visits by neighborhood, sell short remote follow-ups, and offer prepaid packages or monthly check-in plans. Partner with senior centers and retirement communities for group classes.
Families, not the client, often decide and pay
Adult children may book and pay while the parent has different wishes, and capacity can change over time. Disagreements over what you were asked to do lead to unpaid invoices and complaints.
How to manage it: Agree in writing who the client is, who pays and who you may talk to about the work. Keep short notes of each visit.
Drifting into licensed work
Running network cable, mounting cameras or installing wired smart-home systems can turn computer help into contracting. In California, low-voltage installation is CSLB C-7 work, and unlicensed jobs must stay under $1,000 with no permit and no helpers.
How to manage it: Stick to devices, settings and wireless setup. Refer wiring jobs to a licensed C-7 contractor.
Licensing by State
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction.
More states are coming.
A general guide only. Rules change and vary by city and county — confirm with your local government before you start.
No state license for computer or device help
Pending verificationCalifornia has no state license for setting up phones, tablets, computers, Wi-Fi or smart-home devices, or for teaching people to use them. You still need a city or county business license.
City or county business license
Pending verificationRequired almost everywhere in California. Check with the city where your business is based.
CSLB C-7 license — only if you install low-voltage wiring on jobs of $1,000 or more
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCSLB — C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor classification(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CSLB Industry Bulletin #24-07 — License requirement for minor work increases from $500 to $1,000 (AB 2622), December 31, 2024(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026A C-7 low-voltage contractor installs and maintains communication and low-voltage systems up to 91 volts, such as telephone, sound, cable TV and closed-circuit video systems. Since January 1, 2025, unlicensed minor work must be under $1,000 including labor and materials, need no permit, and use no hired workers; any ad for it must say you are not licensed.
Verify with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)(opens in a new tab)Elder financial abuse law — know it before your first visit
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCalifornia Welfare and Institutions Code §15610.30 (financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult), via California.Public.Law(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Under Welfare and Institutions Code §15610.30, taking, keeping or helping someone take an elder's property for a wrongful use, with intent to defraud, or by undue influence is financial abuse. It counts as wrongful if the person knew or should have known the conduct was likely to harm the elder. This is not a license, but it shapes how you handle gifts, payments and account access.
Verify with the California Legislative Information(opens in a new tab)Background check — not required, but expected
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCalifornia Department of Justice — Record review (request a copy of your own criminal record)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026No law requires a background check for this work, but families and senior communities often ask. You can request your own California record through a Live Scan record review; the DOJ processing fee is $25, plus the Live Scan site's rolling fee.
Verify with the California Department of Justice(opens in a new tab)Where to report scams
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center — 2025 IC3 Annual Report, Elder Fraud section (complaints filed by individuals 60+)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026When a client has been scammed online, help them file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and call their bank. In 2025 people 60 and older filed 201,266 complaints with IC3 and reported $7.748 billion in losses, an average loss of $38,500.
Verify with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)(opens in a new tab)
The Playbook
A step-by-step guide from setup to growth.
Phase 1
Setup
- Choose your business structure and get a city business license
- Buy general liability and tech E&O insurance
- Get your own background record review to show families
- Write a service agreement with a no-passwords, no-gifts policy
- Set up remote-support software and a simple booking page
Phase 2
Services and pricing
Included in the complete kit
Phase 3
Trust and privacy practices
Included in the complete kit
Phase 4
Referral partners
Included in the complete kit
Phase 5
Marketing
Included in the complete kit
Phase 6
Running a visit
Included in the complete kit
Phase 7
Growth: classes, plans and helpers
Included in the complete kit
Suppliers and Tools
Vendors independent operators use.
No supplier pays to be listed. If we ever earn a referral fee from a link, it will say “Affiliate link” right next to it.
Remote-support software
Tools that let you see and fix a client's screen with their permission.
Password managers to set up for clients
So clients, not you, keep control of their passwords.
Scam-protection resources
Free materials you can share with clients and families.
The Kit Is Coming
Everything on this page is free. The downloadable kit (playbook, spreadsheets, templates) is in the works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a franchise?
No. The Open Franchise is not a franchise and does not sell franchises. You start and own your business yourself, with no franchise fee, royalties, or territory rules. We sell guides and kits; that's all.
Is there real demand if most older adults already use technology?
Yes, and that is the point: more devices mean more setup, more updates and more scams. Pew Research Center's 2026 survey found 79% of adults 65 and older own a smartphone and 89% use the internet. AARP's survey of adults 50-plus (fall 2025) found three in five say technology is not designed with their age in mind. And the FBI's 2025 IC3 report counted $7.748 billion in losses reported by people 60 and older.
Do I need a license?
Not a state license for computer and device help in California, only a local business license. If you start running cable or installing wired systems on jobs of $1,000 or more, that becomes C-7 low-voltage contracting and needs a CSLB license.
How do I avoid being accused of taking advantage of a client?
Never hold client passwords, never log in to bank accounts, accept no gifts or loans, bill only to the business with itemized invoices, and put all of this in writing. Carry insurance, and consider a fidelity bond and showing families your background record.
Are these numbers guaranteed?
No. Every cost and price is an estimate from a cited source, shown as a range where possible, with the date we last checked it. Your costs and results will depend on your market and choices.
Figures last verified October 31, 2026. Every number links to its source. See all sources for this page.