1851

For professionals in the construction industry, there’s one client that inspires more fear, stress and aggravation than any other: the homeowner. But in the highly lucrative home renovation industry, the unpredictable, last-minute, over-budget nit-pickings of homeowners are just part of the job. At least, they were. Three years ago, Chicago-based home-rehab company Renovation Sells found a better way, one that focuses exclusively on partnerships with home sellers, making realtors, not homeowners, the brand’s primary client, and the business has seen explosive growth as a result. Now, Renovation Sells is opening up their innovative model to entrepreneurs in markets across the country with a new franchising opportunity.In 2017, Renovation Sells’ co-founders, Michael and Amanda Valente, were feeling burnt out. Michael, a general contractor and licensed Realtor™, had completed more than 500 client construction projects in his career, most of them on luxury homes that promised big payouts but consistently went over time and budget, eating into his profits.“I was sick of the BS,” Michael said. “I was tired of working on projects where there was always one more thing —&nbsp;one more change to the plan or additional upgrade that made it impossible to complete a project on time or make a decent profit.”&nbsp;That’s when Michael came across an article about how rental properties were undergoing renovations to increase rent prices, and he had an idea: the same principle, he reasoned, could be applied to the for-sale market to increase initial asking price.“Real estate agents’ goals are much more aligned with ours, so they are much easier to work with, and the projects become much more profitable,” Michael explained. Unlike homeowners, whose particular demands are based entirely on their personal preferences rather than market standards, sellers are interested in building the most desirable home to all potential buyers and getting it to market as quickly as possible.That means instead of focusing on a small number of large projects with unpredictable returns, Renovation Sells can take on a high volume of projects focused exclusively on attractive, high-quality cosmetic renovations, executed to maximize speed and minimize costs.Michael took his idea to Amanda, a career marketing professional, who confirmed that the model was not only innovative and potentially profitable but also decidedly scalable.“We are business people first and foremost, so we weren’t just looking simply for an upgrade to our construction and real estate business. We wanted something we could really grow,” Amanda said. “We saw this business as something that would fill a huge gap in the marketplace, and we knew that was a big opportunity.”By establishing a highly lucrative new service for real estate agents, Renovation Sells saw the potential to quickly sweep across the Chicago real estate market and beyond. With that growth potential in mind, Amanda says the business was built for franchising from the start.“We thought about expanding with a corporate model but quickly realized that was not the best route for Renovation Sells,” Amanda said. “Relationships are an essential element of the real estate business, and through franchising, we can have franchisees on the ground in every market, building relationships and working with realtors and home sellers directly through each project from start to finish.”That early clarity of purpose allowed Michael and Amanda to spend the past three years optimizing the business specifically for franchising. With the help of general contractor John Bura and interior designer Briana Gershenzon, the Valentes built a system that provides every resource a franchisee will need to grow their Renovation Sells business in a new market. That includes marketing, design, project management technology, and every other facet of the business.“All of the design is done by the corporate team, so our franchisees don’t need to have design expertise.” Gershenzon said. “By providing a customized design board for each project's target buyer, our builders don't have to waste time selecting materials. We develop the design on their behalf and they can simply present the options to the seller and get to work on the chosen model.”&nbsp;Amanda says the design is Renovation Sells’ secret sauce. “It’s what really elevates our value to realtors,” she explained. “They love it because it makes them look good, which gets them more clients, and keeps them coming back to us.”Crucially for new Renovation Sells owners, franchisees also benefit from the brand’s growing reputation as a high-value partner and innovative disruptor in home renovations. Independent contractors too often get edged out by competitors who offer more attractive quotes or deadlines, but Renovation Sells has established a reputation throughout the industry as the fastest, most reliable option for high-quality pre-sale renovations. Rather than shopping around for the best quotes, home sellers are increasingly turning directly to Renovation Sells, recognizing its value and making a quick decision to work together. In effect, Renovation Sells has no competition in most markets. And because realtors, not homeowners, are the brand’s primary client, franchisees don’t need to seek out renovation projects for themselves —&nbsp;realtors bring the projects to them.In Renovation Sells’ first year, its clients homes sold at an average of 97% of the asking price. In 2019, as word spread, the company saw a whopping 310% increase in sales. That growth carried over into 2020, when, despite a pandemic that brought the economy to a screeching halt, Renovation Sells still saw another 20% year-over-year increase in sales.Much of that growth, Michael says, can be attributed to a rising demand for pre-sale renovations.“With millennials turning home-buyer age, we have a new generation of buyers who mostly aren’t attracted to the larger, older homes the baby boomers are now trying to offload. They want stylish, move-in-ready homes, and that demand will continue to increase for decades to come,” Michael said. “That means a realtor with a stock of relatively drab or boring homes stands to make a killing with some key upgrades, and that’s where we come in.”Now, Renovation Sells is preparing to build on its substantial early momentum in Chicago by bringing on franchisees to establish the business in new markets.&nbsp;“For business-minded construction professionals who are sick of the headaches that come with standard renovation projects, or even for entrepreneurs who see the growth potential in the housing market but aren’t sure quite how to jump in, this is an incredibly valuable opportunity,” Michael said. “We’ve got the business nailed, we just need smart, capable people to step in and start working it.”The initial investment to franchise with Renovation Sells ranges from $78,208 to $101,142, including a $50,000 franchise fee. The brand is actively seeking franchise owners in Illinois. For more information on franchising with Renovation Sells, please visit <a href="https://www.renovationsells.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=chicago-business-owners-take-the-stress-out-of-renovation-process-with-new-home-remodeling-franchise-2714055" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.renovationsells.com/franchise</a>.

Chicago Business Owners Take The Stress Out of Renovation Process With New Home Remodeling Franchise

1851 Franchise

In just three years, Renovation Sells has grown rapidly, rehabbing more than 150 Chicago-area homes for an average of $20K per project. Now, the home-remodeling company is branching out into new markets with an innovative franchise opportunity.

chicago-business-owners-take-the-stress-out-of-renovation-process-with-new-home-remodeling-franchise

Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority Midyear Momentum 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Senior Care Authority Accelerates Franchise Support and National Growth in First Half of 2025

senior-care-authority-franchise-midyear-2025

Children's Lighthouse

How This IT Architect Became a Successful Children’s Lighthouse Franchisee

childrens-lighthouse-franchise-san-antonio-justin-leggett

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers Buzzes into Franchising: Three New Franchisees Signed in First 30 Days

busy-bee-jumpers-buzzes-into-franchising-three-new-franchisees-signed-in-first-30-days

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum 

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum with Revenue Gains, Record Membership, and Strategic Expansion

fitness-premier-mid-year-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

image of a woodhouse spa franchise buildings exterior 

Woodhouse Spas Continues Strong Momentum With Double-Digit Growth in Q2

woodhouse-spas-q2-2025-growth-expansion

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

From the Heart: How Wendy and TJ Henley Found Their Purpose With a Right at Home Franchise

right-at-home-franchise-tj-wendy-henley-colorado-springs

Chicago Business Owners Take The Stress Out of Renovation Process With New Home Remodeling Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS