Helping people has always been part of the job for Weston McKee. Before opening United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) — the premier restoration and reconstruction services franchise — in Iowa City, he spent years running a construction business focused on asbestos, demolition and insulation work — all while serving as a building inspector and code compliance officer for his local city. Those experiences gave him an understanding of what it takes to protect properties and serve the community.

When he started looking for ways to grow beyond his small construction operation, franchising felt like the natural next step. McKee came across UWRG and realized it matched the kind of work insurance adjusters had already been asking him to do. The brand’s proven systems and hands-on corporate support gave him the confidence to take the leap and open his own restoration business.

McKee is now helping homeowners and businesses across Southeast Iowa restore properties to pre-loss condition. His goal is to grow his team, add more trucks and expand into nearby territories — but most of all, he wants to keep serving his community in their times of need.

1851 Franchise sat down with McKee to discuss his franchise journey 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?

Weston McKee: I owned a construction company that focused on asbestos, demolition and insulation work. I was also working full-time as a city code compliance officer and building inspector. I wanted my company to grow and was looking for ways to take on more projects. I found United Water Restoration Group online, and it seemed like a good fit because insurance adjusters had previously asked me to consider doing that kind of work with my other construction company. Having United's processes and everything already in place, and being able to follow their laid-out plan for growing and managing the business, made buying the franchise a logical decision.

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?

McKee: Being new, it's been nice that all of the classes and requirements are being laid out for us. UWRG has a great corporate base that has helped us and guided us, and anytime we have a question, we can call them and ask them. I didn’t have that when I was running my own construction company and trying to learn all the regulations and how to bid on jobs on my own. It's been a tremendous help that way.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

McKee: All the support we get and all the systems that they already have in place. They have a great team that is always trying to find new things — find the best way for us to advertise or to track things in our system. The support they give us all around is great.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

McKee: We hope to have three or four trucks running out of this location and this territory. We hope to expand to a few more territories here shortly and have several more trucks running.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

McKee: I have a strong desire to help our community, whether that’s by being a building inspector or offering different services. United Water Restoration Group is giving us a way to help people when they're in a real time of need.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

McKee: It's a huge step. I think that you have to trust in the process and follow what they're saying. That will help you be successful. 

About United Water Restoration Group

Since 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. 

The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.