1-800-Plumber vs Aire Serv
1-800-Plumber vs Aire Serv: 1-800-Plumber costs $124K–$327K to open; Aire Serv costs $114K–$272K. 1-800-Plumber has 54 units, Aire Serv has 93. SBA loan history: 1-800-Plumber = 27 loans (7.4% default); Aire Serv = 101 loans (7.9% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
1-800-Plumber vs Aire Serv — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Aire Serv requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($114K vs $124K for 1-800-Plumber), a 9% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $55K for 1-800-Plumber versus $45K for Aire Serv — Aire Serv has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for 1-800-Plumber and 7% for Aire Serv, giving 1-800-Plumber the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Aire Serv operates 93 units to 1-800-Plumber's 54. Aire Serv has been operating 34 years (founded 1992) versus 16 for 1-800-Plumber (founded 2010) — a 18-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Aire Serv has the deeper SBA lending track record with 101 historical 7(a) approvals versus 27 for 1-800-Plumber.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.4% for 1-800-Plumber and 7.9% for Aire Serv — 1-800-Plumber has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for 1-800-Plumber and 84 (Excellent) for Aire Serv, giving Aire Serv the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 84/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Excellent |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Surging |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 27 | 101 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 7.4% | 7.9% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $124K – $327K | $114K – $272K |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 54 | 93 |
Franchised Units | 50 | 93 |
Company-Owned | 4 | — |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2010 | 1992 |
Franchising Since | 2017 | 1993 |
Years Franchising | 9 yrs | 33 yrs |
Headquarters | TX | Waco, TX |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better — 1-800-Plumber or Aire Serv?
Lower upfront capital required
Aire Serv
1-800-Plumber: $124K starting · Aire Serv: $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Aire Serv
1-800-Plumber: 27 SBA loans · Aire Serv: 101 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
1-800-Plumber
1-800-Plumber: 7.4% · Aire Serv: 7.9%
Larger system & brand presence
Aire Serv
1-800-Plumber: 54 units · Aire Serv: 93 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
1-800-Plumber
1-800-Plumber: 6% · Aire Serv: 7%
More lender financing options
Aire Serv
1-800-Plumber: 3 unique lenders · Aire Serv: 24 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
1-800-Plumber vs Aire Serv: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing 1-800-Plumber and Aire Serv is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $114K to $327K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — 1-800-Plumber with 27 SBA loans and Aire Serv with 101. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
1-800-Plumber vs Aire Serv — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment — 1-800-Plumber or Aire Serv?
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