Ace Handyman Services vs Restoration 1
Ace Handyman Services vs Restoration 1: Ace Handyman Services costs $71K–$256K to open; Restoration 1 costs $40K–$509K. Ace Handyman Services has 91 units, Restoration 1 has 85. SBA loan history: Ace Handyman Services = 99 loans (3.0% default); Restoration 1 = 88 loans (6.8% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Ace Handyman Services vs Restoration 1: 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
Restoration 1 requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($40K vs $71K for Ace Handyman Services), a 79% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $70K for Ace Handyman Services versus $41K for Restoration 1, Restoration 1 has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Ace Handyman Services and 3.5% for Restoration 1, giving Restoration 1 the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Ace Handyman Services operates 91 units to Restoration 1's 85. Ace Handyman Services has been operating 28 years (founded 1998) versus 18 for Restoration 1 (founded 2008), a 10-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Ace Handyman Services has the deeper SBA lending track record with 99 historical 7(a) approvals versus 88 for Restoration 1. Ace Handyman Services's peak SBA year was 2021 (36 loans); Restoration 1's peak was 2018 (16 loans). Ace Handyman Services's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Ace Handyman Services concentrates in TX (12 SBA-funded units) while Restoration 1 leads in CA (10). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Ace Handyman Services deals is $155K vs $252K for Restoration 1, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.0% for Ace Handyman Services and 6.8% for Restoration 1, Ace Handyman Services has the cleaner historical loss profile by 3.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for Ace Handyman Services and 69 (Strong) for Restoration 1, giving Restoration 1 the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 68/100 | 69/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 99 | 88 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.0% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $71K – $256K | $40K – $509K |
Franchise Fee | $70K | $41K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 3.5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $150K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 91 | 85 |
Franchised Units | 91 | 85 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | 2008 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | BOCA RATON, FL | IRVINE, CA |
Category | Residential Remodelers | Residential Remodelers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Ace Handyman Services or Restoration 1?
Lower upfront capital required
Restoration 1
Ace Handyman Services: $71K starting · Restoration 1: $40K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Ace Handyman Services
Ace Handyman Services: 99 SBA loans · Restoration 1: 88 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Ace Handyman Services
Ace Handyman Services: 3.0% · Restoration 1: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Ace Handyman Services
Ace Handyman Services: 91 units · Restoration 1: 85 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Restoration 1
Ace Handyman Services: 6% · Restoration 1: 3.5%
More lender financing options
Restoration 1
Ace Handyman Services: 22 unique lenders · Restoration 1: 27 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
Ace Handyman Services vs Restoration 1: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Ace Handyman Services and Restoration 1 is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $40K to $509K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Ace Handyman Services with 99 SBA loans and Restoration 1 with 88. 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.
Ace Handyman Services vs Restoration 1, Frequently Asked Questions
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