UBuildIt vs Surface Specialists Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of UBuildIt vs Surface Specialists including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
UBuildIt Franchise
Surface Specialists Franchise
Investment $113,500 - $223,800$43,200 - $56,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$36,000
Royalty Fee $1,000 monthly5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19881981
Year Franchised 19981982
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $10K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
UBuildIt Franchise
Surface Specialists Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Sales skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • (qualifications helpful but not required)

  • Financing Options

     
    UBuildIt Franchise
    Surface Specialists Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    UBuildIt Franchise
    Surface Specialists Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters: 1 week On-The-Job Training: 57-73 hours Classroom Training: 23 hours Follow-up training available at franchisee's location
    Support

    Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, Annual convention

    Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing

    Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising, Marketing creatives

    Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development
    Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is 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: 1

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    UBuildIt Franchise
    Surface Specialists Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About UBuildIt

    Prosper in construction consulting while reducing your workload and liability. By adding the UBuildIt consulting system to your business, you will find an easier way to build homes and regain extra time and money in the process. Instead of contracting to build; you are coaching homeowners. You’re offering a service that allows you to diversify and stand out from the pack! You’re using first-class marketing materials, Internet tools, and a complete business system backed with professional support. Imagine taking less risk - and having more time to golf, swim, and see your kids.

    Our UBuildIt Franchisees are doing it. Why not you?
    Here is what makes UBuildIt unique in the market place: 1. We are the number one Owner Builder Company in the United States! We were founded in 1988 and: have built over 14,000 homes with this system You would be joining a world class organization that has earned its top spot! 2. We partner with builders to give them a broader offering - something that other builders do not have! Use UBuildIt for fantastic lead generation and be able to truly serve your clients with whatever product best fits their needs! 3. We also partner with entrepreneurs who are interested in the building industry and who see the potential for success in UBuildIt as a sales and marketing tool. Such partners are often the most successful franchise but their cost tend to be higher as they do have the added expense of hiring an experienced project manager or general contractor to handle the onsite reviews with the clients during construction. Don't be afraid to research if you're not a qualified builder; hiring is not difficult as a rule but it does increase your initial overhead. 4. We have proven examples of what can be achieved with a manageable marketing campaign. A quality marketing campaign can be even more effective as local offices band together giving the opportunity for a huge impact. The UBuildIt system is home building, your way. Our proven system allows you to build your own home exactly the way you want. That is why we say it is home building, your way. Unlike other ways to build your own home, with the UBuildIt system, we provide expert guidance that will help make your home building project a success. Our expert construction consultants are with you all the way through the home building process - including up to 23 on-site consultations. This level of customer service provides assurance that your house construction project will stay on track.UBuildIt was founded in 1988 by Chuck Warrender and has been franchising since 1998. UBuildIt helps customers who want to do their own building or remodeling projects but aren't sure where to start. Franchisees assist customers in the planning and construction process with tasks such as obtaining plans, permits, subcontractors, financing and site inspections. The company is based in Edmond, Oklahoma.
    We offer 10% off the initial franchise fee to Veterans.

    About Surface Specialists

    Wayne McClosky established Surface Specialists in 1981, building up the establishment model in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To start with the family-claimed organization offered just insignificant repair administrations for plastic cover ledges and fiberglass and porcelain shower surfaces, however it soon extended to incorporate resurfacing administrations for marble sinks and vanity tops. It started diversifying in 1982 and is presently situated in Matthews, North Carolina.

    Our establishments have been pioneers in the bath and kitchen repair industry for more than 30 years and speak to more than 80 bath makers the nation over for their guarantee repairs. What began as a business to repair blazes in ledges has extended throughout the years to end up distinctly one of the countries biggest establishments offering bath and kitchen repair and revamping. Surface Specialists establishments additionally offer a bigger number of choices and value focuses to clients than whatever other single reclamation establishment.


    • 2014: Ranked #10 in Home Improvement Services
    • 2013: Ranked #28 in Top 100 Franchises for Veterans
    • 2013: Ranked #8 in Under 50 Units Class
    • 2012: Ranked #10 in Under 50 Units
    • 2011: Ranked #7 in Under 50 Units Class
    • 2009: Ranked #9 in Under 50 Units Class
    • 2008: Ranked #10 in Under 50 Units Class
    • 2006: Ranked #35 in all Units Surveyed
    #108 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
    #473 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee