Handyman Connection vs Restoration 1
Handyman Connection vs Restoration 1: Handyman Connection costs $25K–$416K to open; Restoration 1 costs $40K–$509K. Handyman Connection has 33 units, Restoration 1 has 85. SBA loan history: Handyman Connection = 42 loans (14.3% 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.
Handyman Connection 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
Handyman Connection requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $40K for Restoration 1), a 37% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Handyman Connection versus $41K for Restoration 1 — Handyman Connection has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Handyman Connection and 3.5% for Restoration 1, giving Restoration 1 the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Restoration 1 operates 85 units to Handyman Connection's 33 — roughly 3× the system size. Handyman Connection has been operating 36 years (founded 1990) versus 18 for Restoration 1 (founded 2008) — a 18-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Restoration 1 has the deeper SBA lending track record with 88 historical 7(a) approvals versus 42 for Handyman Connection. Handyman Connection's peak SBA year was 2025 (7 loans); Restoration 1's peak was 2018 (16 loans). Handyman Connection's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Handyman Connection concentrates in MI (6 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 Handyman Connection deals is $161K vs $252K for Restoration 1 — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 14.3% for Handyman Connection and 6.8% for Restoration 1 — Restoration 1 has the cleaner historical loss profile by 7.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 71 (Strong) for Handyman Connection and 69 (Strong) for Restoration 1, giving Handyman Connection the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 71/100 | 69/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 42 | 88 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 14.3% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K – $416K | $40K – $509K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $41K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 3.5% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 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 | 33 | 85 |
Franchised Units | 33 | 85 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1990 | 2008 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | MISSION, KS | IRVINE, CA |
Category | Residential Remodelers | Residential Remodelers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better — Handyman Connection or Restoration 1?
Lower upfront capital required
Handyman Connection
Handyman Connection: $25K starting · Restoration 1: $40K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Restoration 1
Handyman Connection: 42 SBA loans · Restoration 1: 88 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Restoration 1
Handyman Connection: 14.3% · Restoration 1: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Restoration 1
Handyman Connection: 33 units · Restoration 1: 85 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Restoration 1
Handyman Connection: 6% · Restoration 1: 3.5%
More lender financing options
Restoration 1
Handyman Connection: 21 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 Handyman Connection 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
Handyman Connection vs Restoration 1: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Handyman Connection 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 — Handyman Connection with 42 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.