Handyman Franchise vs. Starting Your Own
What five years costs on each path, counting every cost we can source on both sides. Change the revenue to see how royalties grow with your sales.
Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
At a glance
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $9,500 – $100,000Pending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $69,840 – $226,000Pending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $1,043 – $25,187*Pending verificationSourcesStartCosts — How much does it cost to start a handyman business? (2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — Business entities fee schedule (Rev. 06/2018)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — Pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026CSLB — List of fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 19 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 6% – 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $23,640 – $24,840Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — Handyman insurance in California(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — Handyman insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — Pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — 2025 Instructions for Form FTB 3522 (LLC tax voucher)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $23,640 – $24,840 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $130,858 – $345,935 | $24,683 – $50,027* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $9,500 – $100,000Pending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $69,840 – $226,000Pending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $1,043 – $25,187*Pending verificationSourcesStartCosts — How much does it cost to start a handyman business? (2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — Business entities fee schedule (Rev. 06/2018)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — Pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026CSLB — List of fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 19 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)
- 6% – 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Ace Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise 500 — HandyPro(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $23,640 – $24,840Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — Handyman insurance in California(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — Handyman insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — Pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — 2025 Instructions for Form FTB 3522 (LLC tax voucher)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $23,640 – $24,840
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $130,858 – $345,935
- Independent
- $24,683 – $50,027*
5-year totals assume $55,536–$147,888 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.
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.
Mr. Handyman
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross sales for 165 franchisees grouped by how many units they own, plus gross sales per job.
- Average 2025 gross sales, 57 single-unit franchisees$773,574 a yearPending verificationSourceMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables A and D. Gross sales, not profit. Leaves out 16 businesses that opened in 2025, 10 that changed owners and 12 that closed. 17 of 57 single-unit owners (30%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales, same 57 single-unit franchisees$580,422 a yearPending verificationSourceMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables A and D. Gross sales, not profit. Leaves out 16 businesses that opened in 2025, 10 that changed owners and 12 that closed. 17 of 57 single-unit owners (30%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Lowest 2025 gross sales among the 57 single-unit franchisees$208,200 a yearPending verificationSourceMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables A and D. Gross sales, not profit. Leaves out 16 businesses that opened in 2025, 10 that changed owners and 12 that closed. 17 of 57 single-unit owners (30%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross sales per job, 165 franchisees$742Pending verificationSourceMr. Handyman 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables A and D. Gross sales, not profit. Leaves out 16 businesses that opened in 2025, 10 that changed owners and 12 that closed. 17 of 57 single-unit owners (30%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
Ace Handyman Services
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 revenue, costs and owner discretionary income for 77 single-territory operators and 77 multi-territory groups, in quarters by revenue.
- Average 2025 total revenue, top quarter of single-territory operators (19)$775,337 a yearPending verificationSourceAce Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables 1–4. Total revenue excluding sales tax and discounts, not profit. Leaves out 40 territories open under 12 months, 34 with incomplete reports, 26 that closed in 2025 and 18 affiliate-owned outlets. The FDD also shows costs and owner discretionary income, which are not repeated here. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 total revenue, second quarter of single-territory operators (19)$533,854 a yearPending verificationSourceAce Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables 1–4. Total revenue excluding sales tax and discounts, not profit. Leaves out 40 territories open under 12 months, 34 with incomplete reports, 26 that closed in 2025 and 18 affiliate-owned outlets. The FDD also shows costs and owner discretionary income, which are not repeated here. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 total revenue, third quarter of single-territory operators (19)$347,542 a yearPending verificationSourceAce Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables 1–4. Total revenue excluding sales tax and discounts, not profit. Leaves out 40 territories open under 12 months, 34 with incomplete reports, 26 that closed in 2025 and 18 affiliate-owned outlets. The FDD also shows costs and owner discretionary income, which are not repeated here. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 total revenue, bottom quarter of single-territory operators (20)$250,699 a yearPending verificationSourceAce Handyman Services 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 25, 2026, amended June 5, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Tables 1–4. Total revenue excluding sales tax and discounts, not profit. Leaves out 40 territories open under 12 months, 34 with incomplete reports, 26 that closed in 2025 and 18 affiliate-owned outlets. The FDD also shows costs and owner discretionary income, which are not repeated here. Your results may differ.
HandyPro
We couldn't check Item 19: no FDD for this brand was on file in Minnesota CARDS when we looked, so the figures above come from Entrepreneur's franchise directory.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- Part of Neighborly, a large group of home-service brands
- Classroom and on-the-job training before opening
- Local marketing resources and help finding customers
- Access to a group purchasing network (ProTradeNet)
- 15% off the franchise fee for qualifying veterans
- Backed by the Ace Hardware name, which many homeowners already know
- About 25 to 34 hours of classroom training plus on-the-job training at headquarters
- A business model built around managing a team of craftsmen rather than doing every job yourself
- $7,000 off the first-unit franchise fee for qualifying veterans
- A much lower franchise fee than the larger handyman brands
- Classroom and on-the-job training
- Shared scheduling and business systems
- 25% off the franchise fee for qualifying veterans
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.
Brand by brand
| Option | Initial investment | Royalties | Marketing fund | Fixed fees | Operating costs | 5-year total | vs. independent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Handyman | $161,900 – $215,000 | $19,438 – $51,761 | $5,554 – $14,789 | $11,817 | $23,640 – $24,840 | $222,348 – $318,207 | +$197,665 – $291,429 |
| Ace Handyman Services | $132,200 – $226,000 | $16,661 – $44,366 | $5,554 – $14,789 | $35,940 | $23,640 – $24,840 | $213,994 – $345,935 | +$189,311 – $319,157 |
| HandyPro | $69,840 – $129,643 | $16,661 – $44,366 | $2,777 – $7,394 | $17,940 | $23,640 – $24,840 | $130,858 – $224,184 | +$106,175 – $197,406 |
| Independent (lean start) | $1,043 – $1,938* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $23,640 – $24,840 | $24,683 – $26,778 | — |
Low figures pair the low end of each cost with low revenue; high figures pair the high ends. Franchise initial investment is each brand's FDD Item 7 estimate and already includes the franchise fee. Marketing fund and fixed fees show $0 where we have no sourced figure for that brand.
* Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet.
Costs are only half the picture
A franchise's brand, training, and support can help some owners reach customers faster. Weigh what those are worth to you against the difference above.