HomeSmiles vs Surface Experts
HomeSmiles vs Surface Experts: HomeSmiles costs $178K to $226K to open; Surface Experts costs $133K to $232K. HomeSmiles has 27 units, Surface Experts has 33. SBA loan history: HomeSmiles = 28 loans (0.0% default); Surface Experts = 41 loans (2.4% 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.
HomeSmiles vs Surface Experts: 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
Surface Experts requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($133K vs $178K for HomeSmiles), a 34% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $60K for HomeSmiles versus $110K for Surface Experts, HomeSmiles has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for HomeSmiles and 8% for Surface Experts, giving HomeSmiles the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Surface Experts operates 33 units to HomeSmiles's 27. Surface Experts has been operating 18 years (founded 2008) versus 11 for HomeSmiles (founded 2015), a 7-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Surface Experts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 41 7(a) approvals compared with 28 for HomeSmiles.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for HomeSmiles and 2.4% for Surface Experts, HomeSmiles has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for HomeSmiles and 66 (Strong) for Surface Experts.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 66/100 | 66/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 28 | 41 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 2.4% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $178K to $226K | $133K to $232K |
Franchise Fee | $60K | $110K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 27 | 33 |
Franchised Units | 27 | 33 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2015 | 2008 |
Franchising Since | 1989 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 37 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | N/A | Spokane, FL |
Category | Other Personal | Other Personal |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, HomeSmiles or Surface Experts?
Lower upfront capital required
Surface Experts
HomeSmiles: $178K starting · Surface Experts: $133K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Surface Experts
HomeSmiles: 28 SBA loans · Surface Experts: 41 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
HomeSmiles
HomeSmiles: 0.0% · Surface Experts: 2.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Surface Experts
HomeSmiles: 27 units · Surface Experts: 33 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
HomeSmiles
HomeSmiles: 6% · Surface Experts: 8%
More lender financing options
Surface Experts
HomeSmiles: 4 unique lenders · Surface Experts: 13 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
HomeSmiles vs Surface Experts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing HomeSmiles and Surface Experts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $133K to $232K.
HomeSmiles has 28 SBA loans on record and Surface Experts has 41. 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.
HomeSmiles vs Surface Experts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, HomeSmiles or Surface Experts?
How much does a HomeSmiles franchise cost compared to Surface Experts?
Can I finance HomeSmiles or Surface Experts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, HomeSmiles or Surface Experts?
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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