Handyman Matters vs The Grout Medic
Handyman Matters vs The Grout Medic: Handyman Matters costs $44K to $192K to open; The Grout Medic costs $102K to $175K. Handyman Matters has 17 units, The Grout Medic has 69. SBA loan history: Handyman Matters = 12 loans (16.7% default); The Grout Medic = 15 loans (0.0% 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.
Handyman Matters vs The Grout Medic: 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
Handyman Matters requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($44K vs $102K for The Grout Medic), a 57% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $70K for Handyman Matters versus $65K for The Grout Medic, The Grout Medic has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Handyman Matters and 6% for The Grout Medic, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Grout Medic operates 69 units to Handyman Matters's 17, roughly 4× the system size. Handyman Matters has been operating 28 years (founded 1998) versus 8 for The Grout Medic (founded 2018), a 20-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Grout Medic has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 15 7(a) approvals compared with 12 for Handyman Matters.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 16.7% for Handyman Matters and 0.0% for The Grout Medic, The Grout Medic has the cleaner SBA loss record by 16.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 25 (Fair) for Handyman Matters and 54 (Moderate) for The Grout Medic, giving The Grout Medic the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 25/100 | 54/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 12 | 15 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 16.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $44K to $192K | $102K to $175K |
Franchise Fee | $70K | $65K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 69 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 69 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | 2018 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2021 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 5 yrs |
Headquarters | Lakewood, CO | N/A |
Category | Other Building Finishing Contractors | Other Building Finishing Contractors |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Handyman Matters or The Grout Medic?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Handyman Matters: $44K starting · The Grout Medic: $102K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Grout Medic
Handyman Matters: 12 SBA loans · The Grout Medic: 15 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
The Grout Medic
Handyman Matters: 16.7% · The Grout Medic: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Handyman Matters: 17 units · The Grout Medic: 69 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Handyman Matters: 6% · The Grout Medic: 6%
More lender financing options
Tie
Handyman Matters: 6 unique lenders · The Grout Medic: 6 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
Handyman Matters vs The Grout Medic: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Handyman Matters and The Grout Medic is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $44K to $192K.
Handyman Matters has 12 SBA loans on record and The Grout Medic has 15. 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.
Handyman Matters vs The Grout Medic, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Handyman Matters or The Grout Medic?
How much does a Handyman Matters franchise cost compared to The Grout Medic?
Can I finance Handyman Matters or The Grout Medic with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Handyman Matters or The Grout Medic?
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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