Case Handyman vs Restoration 1
Case Handyman vs Restoration 1: Case Handyman costs $25K–$150K to open; Restoration 1 costs $40K–$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, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Case Handyman 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
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 historical 7(a) approvals versus 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. Geographically, Case Handyman concentrates in MA (4 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 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 historical loss profile 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 – $150K | $40K – $509K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $41K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 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 | 17 | 85 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 85 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
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
Case Handyman
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 historical default rate
Restoration 1
Case Handyman: 20.8% · Restoration 1: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Restoration 1
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.
Need Funding for Case Handyman or Restoration 1?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Case Handyman with 24 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.