United Water Restoration Group

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdepaul/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-long-island-entrepreneur-found-success-franchising-with-united-water-restoration-group-2720638" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil DePaul</a> always wanted to open his own business in an industry that could withstand the test of time. That’s why he decided to franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-long-island-entrepreneur-found-success-franchising-with-united-water-restoration-group-2720638" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group</a> (UWRG), the 82-territory franchise brand that has provided premier restoration and reconstruction services for nearly 15 years.&nbsp;Regardless of what is happening with the economy, helping people recover their most valuable assets and get back to normal after a disaster is an essential community service. With&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">UWRG</a>, franchisees like Long Island-based DePaul can be a part of a scalable, recession-resistant business at a low cost of entry.Before franchising, DePaul spent 14 years in the wholesale distribution industry handling plumbing, heating and HVAC supplies. With his dad being a union plumber, DePaul got his first job in the industry in high school. He built his career at that company, eventually taking on a management role and helping grow the brand.After moving on from that role, DePaul took a position with a private firm that had a contract with the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery in New York. After Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, grant money went into a housing effort for people whose homes were destroyed or damaged by the superstorm. DePaul served as a project manager in this effort for four years. This position was a starting point for DePaul to gain experience in the restoration industry before he ever knew he would end up in franchising.&nbsp;Franchising wasn’t something DePaul was necessarily always after. But one thing he did know is that he wanted to own his own business. He began working with a franchise consultant to see what options were out there. Eventually, he was introduced to UWRG, which he says resonated with him right away.&nbsp;“What initially drew me in was the business model,” said DePaul. “It was the idea of doing insurance work where you serve a client without holding them directly accountable for the costs associated with the services.”DePaul was also drawn to the fact that restoration work isn’t something that will ever go out of style. “For as long as there are structures, there are going to be accidents and incidents inside them, and someone has to specialize in taking care of it,” he said.&nbsp;Founded in Florida during the recession, UWRG knows that regardless of what is happening with the economy, pipes still burst, mold still grows and natural disasters still strike. The full-service restoration company has remained a dominant force in the restoration industry, specializing in water damage mitigation, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, reconstruction, sewage, flood, and disaster response while delivering a best-in-class customer experience to residential and commercial customers.After reaching a point where he was comfortable enough with the brand, DePaul decided it was time to pull the trigger. He knew he was ready as an entrepreneur and that UWRG was the right fit for him.&nbsp;During his process, the franchisee felt plenty of support from the team at UWRG. He noted that someone was always a phone call away and that there were people who truly cared about the success of his territory. And that has only gotten stronger throughout his time with the brand. “Year by year, I've seen the level of resources and commitment and enthusiasm by the franchise team continue to grow. That’s all you can ask for,” he said.&nbsp;This level of support and hard work has brought DePaul great success. For DePaul, success is something internal that can be felt within himself.&nbsp;“For me, success feels like a bunch of people working together towards a common goal, and I've been lucky enough to experience that,” he said. “That's something I just want to continue to nurture in whatever shape or form it takes. Getting into this business has provided that opportunity, and I like to think that we've created that environment that feels like we are winning.”&nbsp;Being a part of the concept for three and a half years, DePaul already owns a large number of territories on Long Island. The area is full of older homes in a relatively small geographic area, making it ripe with opportunity. Looking ahead, the future is full of possibilities.&nbsp;The total initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $159,342–$441,874. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-long-island-entrepreneur-found-success-franchising-with-united-water-restoration-group-2720638" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.</a>For more information on United Water Restoration Group in Long Island, visit <a href="http://www.unitedliny.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-long-island-entrepreneur-found-success-franchising-with-united-water-restoration-group-2720638" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.unitedliny.com.</a>&nbsp;

How This Long Island Entrepreneur Found Success Franchising with United Water Restoration Group

1851 Franchise

Looking to open his own business, Phil DePaul came across United Water Restoration Group. After spending time learning more about the recession-proof model, he knew it was the one for him. 

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Stepping into the spring season can serve as a reset for the home. In addition to spring cleaning, homeowners should take a moment to evaluate their spaces and ensure there are no structural issues, which can pose a much greater threat to the home's health and safety. Often, these seasonal reviews should focus on areas where moisture may be harbored, as left unaddressed, water can be one of the most dangerous variables in your home."These things are usually sudden and accidental, so there aren’t really warning signs," said&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> Field Supervisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zsolt-janocsik-501a97114/">Zsolt Janocsik</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgtoronto.com/">UWRG Toronto</a>. "Damage can be hidden because you can’t always see what’s behind the walls. We just had a customer whose copper pipe was strapped directly to the foundation. There was no insulation behind it. And there’s no way you can predict that or prevent it."For teams at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group</a>, a 50-plus-location restoration franchise, spring is a time to check for repercussions of any winter leaks or burst pipes, improper water diversion and ground saturation to ensure water isn’t collecting somewhere it shouldn’t be.<h2>The Stealthy Nature of Winter Leaks</h2>A proper review takes a step back. Unlike sudden, obvious increases in moisture due to spring rains, winter water damage is often a quieter process that can go unnoticed for months. Because of this, homeowners should make a concerted effort to search for these issues once it begins warming back up to ensure there is no invisible winter water damage.Because these issues are tucked away, it’s highly likely a homeowner wouldn't notice a leak the moment it occurs. Rather, they must rely on visual cues that something is wrong.&nbsp;Complete a survey of the home once winter is over for the key warning signs: discoloration and wrinkled paint. These generally indicate that a slow drip has been taking place for some time. Once a spot is visible to the naked eye, the moisture has likely spread much further than the surface suggests. An intentional review for even small spots can help you catch issues before they become even more serious.<h2>Proactive Prevention Around the Foundation</h2>Once a retroactive review is complete, homeowners can begin to think about the “now.” Issues related to external moisture (and efforts to keep it out) are often straightforward and addressable through basic outdoor maintenance.Keeping water away from the structure itself is a strong first line of defense. This means cleaning gutters of any leaf litter left from fall and ensuring downspouts are functioning properly, moving water away from the home. This way, when spring showers come, your home is functioning properly and working to ensure water isn’t pooling against your first-level walls.Just as you should evaluate the home for any existing damage from winter freezes, it’s smart to stay vigilant throughout the spring season. Even if your gutters and downspouts were doing their jobs at the start of the season, do an occasional check. For example, if you notice puddles close to your home after a rainy day, give it some thought. This standing water could be slowly seeping in and triggering water damage indoors.<h2>The Role of Professional Technology</h2>While awareness as a homeowner is an important baseline, it’s just as crucial to know when to call the professionals. If you notice standing water, discoloration, irregularly high indoor humidity or water where you don’t expect it indoors, you should likely call a professional.The DIY approach often falls short because it just can’t account for what’s actually happening inside the structure. This is where UWRG franchise owners provide a level of certainty that neither a flashlight nor a ladder can match. Using thermal imaging cameras, specialists can see the exact footprint of trapped moisture within a wall, out of view to the naked eye."The best way to check is with a thermal imaging camera,”&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgtoronto.com/">Janocsik</a> said. “Because it shows the whole outline of the water damage, not just the small spot you can see.”By pairing such cameras with moisture meters, professional restoration experts can assess whether the moisture levels in drywall have climbed above the standard 10% or 15% range. If the meter reads above 25%, a serious problem is confirmed, allowing the restoration team to address the root cause before rot or mold forms.<h2>Protecting Your Biggest Investment</h2>For most people, the home is the single largest investment they’ll ever make. While it can be tempting to ignore a small drip under a cabinet or a faint spot on the ceiling, procrastination is the enemy of a healthy home."Once you see something unusual, you should act on it," Janocsik said. "We see rotten cabinets because something has been dripping underneath a kitchen cabinet, and people don’t care about it. They think it’s just a drip. But after months and months, it can rot the whole cabinet."Whether it’s testing a sump pump by dumping a bucket of water into the pit or simply running the furnace fan to keep air circulating, small habits can make a profound difference. But, when those habits aren’t enough, UWRG stands as a local resource that can help ensure a winter mishap doesn’t become a costly, permanent headache.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 50 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 $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.

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United Water Restoration Group Field Supervisor Zsolt Janocsik explains how homeowners can identify signs of water damage beyond frozen pipes season and protect their property from costly damage.

Identifying Hidden Water Damage: A Guide for Spring

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissy-gregory-258bb4b/">Chrissy Gregory</a> spent years helping restoration franchise owners grow their businesses. As vice president of franchise operations at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group</a> (UWRG), she worked closely with operators across the system to strengthen operations and scale their locations.In 2024, Gregory decided to apply that experience to a business of her own. An opportunity to purchase a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">UWRG</a> franchise in Port St. Lucie, Florida, aligned with a goal she had carried since childhood. Gregory moved into ownership while continuing her leadership role with the brand. Within a year, the location became a record-setting performer.Gregory’s interest in restoration developed during a long career in home services and a desire to help people. Homeowners often contact restoration professionals after sudden property damage. Clear guidance can bring stability during a stressful time.“I was attracted to the restoration industry because of the ability to help people in some of their worst times,” Gregory said. “My entire career has been in the home service industry, but it really wasn't until I got a taste of restoration that I said, ‘Oh, this is what I'm supposed to do. This is what I'm meant for.”<h2>Applying Corporate Experience to Ownership</h2>Gregory joined UWRG’s leadership team to help franchise owners improve their businesses. Her role placed her close to the operational realities of running a restoration company.“What really drew me to UWRG is kind of the same sense but on the franchise owner side,” Gregory said. “I very much have an entrepreneurial spirit. I knew since I was a kid that I wanted to own my own business.”Owning a franchise also meant applying the same guidance she had spent years giving to other franchisees. Gregory explained that working on the corporate side creates accountability, since leaders who advise owners must also follow the same operational practices themselves.UWRG supported Gregory’s move into ownership while allowing her to maintain her leadership role with the company. Company leadership allowed Gregory to keep both responsibilities rather than requiring her to choose between them.“The best way they've supported me is by having faith in me to maintain the vice president position as well as ownership of a location. They really had the belief in me that I could be an owner who managed the business from a true owner perspective,” Gregory said.<h2>Leading With a Focus on the Work</h2>Gregory has spent more than two decades working in field services, an industry where leadership roles have traditionally been held by men. Her approach has always been to focus on the work and the responsibility that comes with leading a team rather than viewing her role through the lens of gender.“I’ve never really separated myself,” Gregory said. “To me, it’s just about getting the job done. I’ve been in the field services industry for over 20 years, and I never saw it that way. It was apparent to me that other people might have seen it that way, but I just kept moving on. Got a job to do.”However, Gregory understands that her leadership may encourage other women to enter the industry. Recognition as a role model is meaningful, though she believes results ultimately speak louder than labels.“For those who do look at it that way, is it nice to be a role model? Yes,” Gregory said. “But the job I do speaks for itself.”Women considering restoration or entrepreneurship should focus on the work rather than on their gender and prepare for the industry's demanding nature. The restoration business operates around the clock, which requires a willingness to embrace a 24/7 lifestyle. Business ownership also means stepping into whatever role the company needs at any given time.“Understand that you are the person who fills any open holes,” Gregory said. “If marketing’s not doing well, you’re now the marketer. If field services are not doing well, you’re now in the field. If bookkeeping is not doing well, you now have to be the one to figure that out.”Gregory’s Port St. Lucie location is proof that the strategies she once helped other franchise owners implement can also drive results in her own operation.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>&nbsp;

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The United Water Restoration Group executive-turned-franchise owner quickly built a top-performing location while continuing to support franchisees in her role.

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