HomeVestors of America vs The Gutter Guys Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of HomeVestors of America vs The Gutter Guys including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
HomeVestors of America Franchise
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Investment $70,000 - $426,250$91,700
Franchise Fee $32,000 - $70,000$15,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee Varies-
Year Founded 19891988
Year Franchised 19962000
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee -25% of franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
HomeVestors of America Franchise
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Marketing skills
  • People skills, good work ethic
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    HomeVestors of America Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory Yes/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    HomeVestors of America Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    Training 1 week initial training -
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, ongoing mentoring support in each marketNewsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations Less than 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    HomeVestors of America Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About HomeVestors of America

    "HomeVestors
    HomeVestors Franchise offers real estate entrepreneurs and investors with an opportunity to create their own successful real estate company buying and selling homes. Since our initial franchise offering in 1996, HomeVestors has grown to currently have over 200 independently owned and operated franchisees throughout the United States, and has received numerous awards and recognitions from top franchise business publications.

     HomeVestors of America, commonly known as We Buy Ugly Houses, is the number one home buyer in America. Since HomeVestors began its franchise in 1996, We Buy Ugly Houses / HomeVestors franchise owners have purchased over 45,000 houses throughout the US. HomeVestors franchise owners pay cash for ugly homes that often have their owners in difficult situations. Our franchisees renovate houses and then sell or lease them. This improves neighborhoods in the process and offers great opportunities for first time buyers, renters, and real estate investors.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Full Franchise HomeVestors Business is $108,000 to $426,250. This includes $70,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Associate Franchise HomeVestors Business is $70,000 to $363,250. This includes $32,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

    With approximately 200 franchisees independently operating in 33 states, We Buy Ugly Houses / HomeVestors commits itself to enforcing high ethical standards and strict systems that result in responsible business practices. We are proud of the service we provide that helps homeowners and people who would like to start their own profitable real estate franchise business.

    HomeVestors Franchise Model
    HomeVestors offers a low cost franchise opportunity for investors interested in building a real estate business. Our unique model includes proprietary software that our franchisees use to assess homes for purchase and renovation. It also includes mass advertising billboard campaigns that achieve quick market awareness and direct selling programs that help franchisees identify and locate buyers and investors interested in specific neighborhoods. With ongoing support from HomeVestors and our development agent mentors, franchisees build wealth by purchasing houses at discount prices.

    We Get It.
    You Want a Business.
    Not a New Boss.


    Our franchisees either renovate and sell or renovate and rent properties they buy, which generates a positive cash flow and equity. We Buy Ugly Houses / HomeVestors franchisees must complete our intensive training program. It incorporates all of our systems for buying homes as well as good business standards. Our franchisees learn how to deal with homeowners who may be in an ugly situation, how to explain our home buying process, and how to carry out as-is all cash buyout deals that create a profit for franchisees while helping a homeowner get out of an ugly house.
    Veteran Incentives   10% off franchise fee
    ""        "Entrepreneur

    In Franchise Business Reviews Top 200.
    #19 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #36 in Franchise 500 for 2021.











    About The Gutter Guys

    The Gutter Guys was founded by Michael Williams in 1988. Michael had been working in the restaurant and hospitality business for the previous fifteen years and needed gutters and downspouts on his new home. Amazed at the total lack of professionalism in the gutter companies he encountered while getting gutter installation estimates, he decided to start The Gutter Guys. Using his extensive knowledge of and passion for customer service, Michael's company now serves more than 300,000 happy customers throughout four mid-Atlantic states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    Not only did Michael develop the recipe to satisfy his customers, he also found the right recipe to recruit and retain quality employees. While discussing how to utilize and reward skilled employees with his business advisor and CPA Chuck Johnson, the idea of franchising came up. Not franchising in the normal sense, but as a way to expand the geographic area the business served and give employees an opportunity to become self employed while remaining with The Gutter Guys.

    Chuck was so instrumental in helping to develop a system to give The Gutter Guys' employees a chance to become franchise owners that he was invited to join the company. Chuck accepted and sold his well-established accounting practice to join The Gutters Guys full time. Since that time, we have helped twelve of our employees become self employed franchisees of The Gutter Guys.