United Water Restoration Group

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-trujillo-03320622/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg-2728386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Robert Trujillo’s</a> decision to expand his construction business into water mitigation services was driven by his desire to streamline operations and offer comprehensive solutions to his clients. As the founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.builtbydesign.net/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg-2728386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Built by Design</a>, a Denver-based construction group launched in 2016, Trujillo had been managing extensive residential and commercial projects. While occasionally working on reconstruction for large mitigation companies, he realized these jobs often had lower margins due to the involvement of multiple parties.“A couple of years ago, I started exploring adding water mitigation services to our business,” said Trujillo. “It seemed like a good fit and allowed us to expand without building everything from scratch. That’s how franchising started making sense to me.”Trujillo’s exploration into water mitigation led him to&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg-2728386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, a franchise specializing in water, fire and mold restoration. “We interviewed several larger franchises, but there were challenges with territory allocations,” Trujillo said. “With&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">United Water Restoration Group</a>, we felt aligned on values and their leadership had a hands-on approach. The original founders are still deeply involved in daily operations, which was important to us.”&nbsp;Now a&nbsp;<a href="https://unitedwaterrestoration.com/us/colorado/denver-northwest?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg-2728386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UWRG Franchise Owner in Northwest Denver</a>, Trujillo’s business offers end-to-end restoration services, ensuring homeowners can recover fully after disasters. “We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop,” he said. “Many mitigation companies handle water or fire loss but leave reconstruction to a third party. We offer end-to-end service — from mitigation to rebuilding — ensuring homeowners return to a space that’s as good as, if not better than, its original condition.”&nbsp;1851 Franchise recently sat down with Trujillo to discuss his franchising journey, his partnership with UWRG and his plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Robert Trujillo: I spent most of my career as an executive in default mortgage solutions. At one point, I managed over 200 non-direct employees and oversaw a P&amp;L for a Fidelity National Financial company. During the mortgage crisis, we handled foreclosures and REOs [Real Estate Owned properties] for major banks. My background is rooted in the corporate world. I’ve also been a licensed real estate agent since the early 1990s.On the side, I flipped residential real estate, which led me to start my own construction and real estate investment firm after leaving corporate. We primarily handled extensive projects and were eventually approached by other investors in Denver for full-scale renovations. In 2016, we officially launched Built by Design, our construction group here in Denver.While working on reconstruction projects for larger mitigation companies, I realized those jobs had lower margins because multiple parties took a cut. A couple of years ago, I started exploring adding water mitigation services to our business. It seemed like a good fit and allowed us to expand without building everything from scratch. That’s how franchising started making sense to me.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a Franchise Owner, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Trujillo: My perception of franchising grew during the diligence process of setting up a water restoration company. I realized how much work it would be to establish this type of business independently. After thorough research, I felt partnering with a strong franchise would help me launch faster and avoid reinventing the wheel. Coming from a corporate background, I value having systems and support in place, which a franchise provides.Now that I’m part of a franchise, I want people to understand the value of having a trusted partner. A good franchise takes much of the stress out of starting a business. From marketing and technology to leadership and training, these resources can be invaluable.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Trujillo: We interviewed several larger franchises, but there were challenges with territory allocations. With United Water Restoration Group, we felt aligned on values, and their leadership had a hands-on approach. The original founders are still deeply involved in daily operations, which was important to us.United stood out because of their strong community involvement, robust technology support and dedicated leadership team. Unlike other franchises we considered, United wasn’t focused solely on scaling for investor appeal. Their commitment to supporting Franchise Owners resonated with us.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Trujillo: We want to walk before we run. Our initial focus is to be a valuable community partner and provide excellent service during people’s times of need. Restoration often involves helping individuals who have experienced significant losses, so being compassionate and dependable is our priority.As we grow, we aim to expand our services to commercial and municipal buildings and potentially add other offerings that align with water, fire and mold restoration. Long-term, we’d like to expand into additional markets in Colorado, but we’re taking it one step at a time.1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Trujillo: We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop. Many mitigation companies handle water or fire loss but leave reconstruction to a third party. We offer end-to-end service — from mitigation to rebuilding — ensuring homeowners return to a space that’s as good as, if not better than, its original condition. That’s a major value we bring to the community.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Trujillo: Do your homework. Understand what you’re getting into and take the time to evaluate the options available to you. I’ve seen both sides — people who build businesses independently and those who partner with franchises. Franchising removes many unknowns and challenges that might otherwise cause stress. Partnering with the right franchise can make a significant difference, especially if they provide strong support systems.About United Water Restoration GroupSince 2008, United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, without exception. Today, with a philosophy of hiring the best staff to provide professional restoration services, UWRG has grown to more than 80 locations and maintains a level of customer service rarely seen in the industry. Although UWRG assists those experiencing disasters, this growing, recession-proof industry is also supported by fundamental infrastructure issues like aging systems and reconstruction.&nbsp;The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $214,300 (single unit) to $627,400 (six units). For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg-2728386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.

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United Water Restoration Group: Franchise Owner Robert Trujillo’s Success Story

1851 Franchise

As a United Water Restoration Group Franchise Owner, Trujillo has leveraged his expertise in construction and real estate to offer comprehensive water mitigation services.

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

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Running a business with your spouse comes with a unique set of rewards, as well as realities. The wins feel shared, the challenges feel personal, and the line between work and life can blur quickly. For husband-and-wife franchise owners at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, success often comes down to clear roles, honest communication and a franchise system built to support teamwork at every level.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG’s</a> restoration model has proven especially well-suited for couples who bring complementary skill sets to the table. With defined operational systems, franchisor support and a collaborative franchise network, the brand gives partners the ability to divide responsibilities, stay aligned on long-term goals and build a service-driven business together without feeling like they’re navigating it alone.That balance has been central to the experience of husband-and-wife franchise owners&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/multifamily-apartments-john-casmon/">John</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetika-casmon/">Geetika Casmon</a>, who own and operate a&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgcincyeast.com/">UWRG location in Cincinnati</a>. Each brings a distinct professional background to the business, allowing them to support one another and move the company forward with intention.<h2>Dividing Roles to Create Momentum</h2>The Casmons operate with a clear handoff between lead generation and execution. John, who spent 15 years in marketing and advertising, focuses on the front end of the business, such as digital marketing, lead channels and field marketing initiatives that keep the phones ringing.Geetika oversees operations, administration and financial processes. With a background in accounting, auditing and operational consulting, she manages intake, execution and efficiency once a job enters the system.“If you think of a funnel, he handles the front end and how things are coming in,” Geetika said. “Once they’re in, I pretty much handle it from there.”That structure allows both partners to stay in their lanes while remaining deeply connected to the overall health of the business.<h2>The Rewards and Realities of Working With Your Spouse</h2>Running a business together brings obvious upsides. The Casmons describe having a built-in partner they trust, someone who understands the daily pressures and decisions at a deeper level than anyone else.“You have someone you can rely on completely,” Geetika said. “Someone you’re comfortable with. You can be vulnerable. You can talk about the ups and downs of the business.”But that closeness can also blur boundaries. When challenges arise, they don’t stop at the office door. John says the business often feels like “its own baby,” one that sometimes demands sacrifices from both partners at the same time with late-night calls and emergency jobs. Still, being aligned makes those moments manageable.“The upside is being able to sit and collaborate, bounce ideas off each other and really understand what the other person is going through,” he said.<h2>How UWRG’s Model Supports Couple-Owned Franchises</h2>UWRG’s franchise structure has played a key role in helping the Casmons operate effectively as a team. Because franchisor support is segmented by function, each partner works directly with the departments that align with their responsibilities.John regularly connects with marketing and design teams, while Geetika works with operations and accounting support. “They’re structured in a way that really mirrors the way we’ve structured our business,” he said.Beyond franchisor support, the franchise network itself has become an invaluable resource. Rather than feeling isolated, the Casmons are able to lean on fellow franchise owners who understand the restoration business at a granular level.<h2>Advice for Couples Considering Franchising Together</h2>Both Geetika and John emphasize that alignment is everything. Before launching a business together, couples need to have honest conversations about goals, lifestyle expectations and what success truly looks like, not just individually, but as a family.John echoed that sentiment, noting that misalignment around growth expectations is one of the most common pitfalls in spouse-led partnerships. “If one person wants a $10 million business and the other wants passive income, that’s going to cause friction,” he said. “You have to get really clear on what the endgame is.”<h2>Staying Connected Beyond the Business</h2>The Casmons don’t see balance as perfection. They see it as making choices. With business always pulling at their attention, being deliberate about creating space outside of work has been key to staying connected. “That means date nights, conversations that aren’t about the business or the kids,” John said.Geetika added that even when business topics inevitably come up, staying connected as partners is what keeps the relationship strong. “I think the key, though, is to be very intentional about connecting and not solely becoming the business,” she said.UWRG provides a structure that makes collaboration practical. Accessible franchisor support and an engaged franchise network help spouses build the business side by side while keeping the relationship front and center.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration</a>.

Why Couples Are Choosing United Water Restoration Group to Build a Business Together

United Water Restoration Group offers couples in franchising the structure, support and clarity needed to grow a restoration business together without losing balance at home.

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