Case Handyman vs Restoration 1
Case Handyman vs Restoration 1: Case Handyman costs $25K to $150K to open; Restoration 1 costs $40K to $509K. Case Handyman has 17 units, Restoration 1 has 85. SBA loan history: Case Handyman = 24 loans (20.8% default); Restoration 1 = 88 loans (6.8% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Case Handyman vs Restoration 1: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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
Case Handyman requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $40K for Restoration 1), a 37% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Case Handyman versus $41K for Restoration 1, Case Handyman has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Restoration 1 operates 85 units to Case Handyman's 17, roughly 5× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Restoration 1 has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 88 7(a) approvals compared with 24 for Case Handyman. Case Handyman's peak SBA year was 2004 (8 loans); Restoration 1's peak was 2018 (16 loans). Restoration 1's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Case Handyman has the most SBA funded units in MA, with 4. Restoration 1 leads in CA, with 10. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Case Handyman deals is $108K vs $252K for Restoration 1, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 20.8% for Case Handyman and 6.8% for Restoration 1, Restoration 1 has the cleaner SBA loss record by 14.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 26 (Fair) for Case Handyman 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 | 26/100 | 69/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 24 | 88 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 20.8% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K to $150K | $40K to $509K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $41K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 3.5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $150K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 85 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 85 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2008 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | AUBURN, MA | IRVINE, CA |
Category | Residential Remodelers | Residential Remodelers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Case Handyman or Restoration 1?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Case Handyman: $25K starting · Restoration 1: $40K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Restoration 1
Case Handyman: 24 SBA loans · Restoration 1: 88 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Restoration 1
Case Handyman: 20.8% · Restoration 1: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Case Handyman: 17 units · Restoration 1: 85 units
More lender financing options
Restoration 1
Case Handyman: 16 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
Case Handyman vs Restoration 1: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Case Handyman and Restoration 1 is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $509K.
Case Handyman has 24 SBA loans on record and Restoration 1 has 88. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Case Handyman vs Restoration 1, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Case Handyman or Restoration 1?
How much does a Case Handyman franchise cost compared to Restoration 1?
Can I finance Case Handyman or Restoration 1 with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Case Handyman or Restoration 1?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman