Housemaster vs HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA
Housemaster vs HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: Housemaster costs $69K to $113K to open; HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA costs $59K to $93K. Housemaster has 235 units, HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA has 10. SBA loan history: Housemaster = 24 loans (8.3% default); HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA = 10 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.
Housemaster vs HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 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
HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($59K vs $69K for Housemaster), a 17% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $43K for Housemaster versus $43K for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA. Ongoing royalty load is 7.5% for Housemaster and 7.5% for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Housemaster operates 235 units to HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA's 10, roughly 24× the system size. Housemaster has been operating 55 years (founded 1971) versus 12 for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA (founded 2014), a 43-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Housemaster has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 24 7(a) approvals compared with 10 for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 8.3% for Housemaster and 0.0% for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA, HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA has the cleaner SBA loss record by 8.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 66 (Strong) for Housemaster and 45 (Fair) for HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA, giving Housemaster the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 66/100 | 45/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Growing | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 24 | 10 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 8.3% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $69K to $113K | $59K to $93K |
Franchise Fee | $43K | $43K |
Royalty Rate | 7.5% | 7.5% |
Ad Fund | 2.5% | 2.5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 235 | 10 |
Franchised Units | 235 | 10 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1971 | 2014 |
Franchising Since | 1979 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 47 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Somerville, NJ | Waco, TX |
Category | Building Inspection Services | Building Inspection Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Housemaster or HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Housemaster: $69K starting · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: $59K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Housemaster
Housemaster: 24 SBA loans · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 10 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA
Housemaster: 8.3% · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Housemaster: 235 units · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 10 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Housemaster: 7.5% · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 7.5%
More lender financing options
Housemaster
Housemaster: 8 unique lenders · HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: 7 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
Housemaster vs HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Housemaster and HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $59K to $113K.
Housemaster has 24 SBA loans on record and HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA has 10. 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.
Housemaster vs HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Housemaster or HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA?
How much does a Housemaster franchise cost compared to HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA?
Can I finance Housemaster or HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Housemaster or HOUSEMASTER OF AMERICA?
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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