Why This Electrical Engineer Decided to Leave the Corporate World and Bring TruBlue Total House Care to His Community

For many owners of TruBlue Total House Care, the handyman franchise that focuses on seniors and busy adults, the decision to open was a personal one. For franchisee Brad McNamara, he discovered the value the brand brings to the table while helping his own mother with projects around her home. 

Because TruBlue believes that aging in place starts with a safe home, the company offers ongoing in-home maintenance and senior modification support to help seniors remain at home for as long as possible. As the senior population grows and the demand for home services skyrockets post-COVID, the brand is preparing for major growth throughout the country, aiming to more than triple its size with the help of franchisees like McNamara by the end of 2025.

“At its core, TruBlue is a handyman business, but I loved that it has a focus on seniors,” said McNamara. “I knew the service would be exactly what my community needed. With this brand, we are able to provide a specific premium service, not only to seniors but to people who don’t have the time or the resources to maintain their homes. I’m excited about the opportunity to build a team environment for people who work in the home service industry. I think this industry is a lone wolf industry, but I hope to change that while providing great customer service.”

McNamara was an electrical engineer in the global power generation industry for over 25 years. He was born and raised in Canada but has lived in the Richmond, Virginia, area for 20 years. In 2022, McNamara was looking for a change and decided to step away from the corporate world. He and his wife Amanda began working with a franchise broker and looking at opportunities to own small, community-based businesses, much like the one he grew up with. 

“I grew up in the contracting business because of my father’s career in painting and decorating for over 48 years,” McNamara said. “TruBlue seemed like a great fit because of the handyman aspect and the focus on senior spaces. It hit close to home because recently, I’ve been traveling to Eastern Canada regularly to help my own mother do the same services that TruBlue offers.” 

The couple soon decided to bring the franchise to Midlothian, Virginia, and are expected to open in March of 2023. Before beginning his search, McNamara was unfamiliar with all that franchising had to offer. In fact, it was something he had never considered previously. However, he soon learned about all the benefits that come with the career path of franchise ownership. 

“Franchising was a great option for me because you get the best of both worlds,” said McNamara. “You get a proven business model and support from a corporate team while having the flexibility of owning your own local business. It’s a great combination.” 

When it comes to support, TruBlue really stands out in the industry. TruBlue franchisees don’t need to be an expert in the senior industry or even home improvement because, unlike other home-based franchises that simply sign franchisees and send them on their way, TruBlue provides comprehensive training and ongoing support for all franchise owners led by an experienced executive team.

“As a franchise owner, you have regularly scheduled support calls with your assigned business coach and an energetic corporate support team at your disposal to help you grow your businesses, win new customers, and address any questions you might have,” said TruBlue President Sean Fitzgerald. “We have developed an intensive fast-start launch checklist and management system with targeted tasks to help you establish your business quickly and maintain success.” 

McNamara plans to leverage this support to scale his business in the area and build the reputation of the brand. “I want this to be a great place for people in the industry to work,” he said. “I want to build a company where my employees can continue to grow.” 

And there is plenty of opportunity for growth. According to the National Council on Aging, 90% of seniors say they plan to remain in their homes for the next 5–10 years, something Fitzgerald says shows no signs of slowing down. Home improvement spending by homeowners 65 and older is expected to account for nearly a third of total remodeling expenditures by 2025 – more than twice the portion that group spent in 1995-2005.

Because of this massive opportunity, TruBlue is actively seeking new franchise owners in markets across the country. The brand has identified Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Naples, Florida, as well as Houston and Dallas, Texas, as key development markets.

“TruBlue Total House Care is a brand you can trust,” said McNamara. “We take pride in what we do and show up on time. That can be easy to say in this industry but harder for customers to find. We want to be the service that is known for its customer service.”

The total investment estimate for a TruBlue Total House Care franchise ranges from $65,050–$91,400. To learn more about franchising with TruBlue, please visit https://trubluefranchise.com/.