How I Franchised My Business: Renovation Sells

Renovation Sells*, the Chicago-based remodeling franchise, was founded by Michael Valente and born out of the real estate market’s need for professional renovation services for the residential, pre-sale market. To help his brand reach real estate markets across the country, Valente took his business model and began franchising it in late 2019, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We started the process to franchise the business in February 2020, and then COVID hit,” Valente said. “Everything about our franchise model was created without going to conferences and franchise shows. We spent two years going through the franchising process without that exposure.”

Despite those limitations, COVID-19 did not stunt Renovation Sells’ initial growth. As the so-called Great Resignation continues to cause many professionals to rethink their existing careers, many are turning to business ownership, and Renovation Sell offers a strong opportunity for skilled professionals in the real estate and construction industries.

“We didn’t set out to franchise Renovation Sells, we set out to fix a need in the real estate market,” said Valente. “So franchising the business model was a good idea once we became successful.” 

Valente says Renovation Sells allows franchisees the opportunity to “reach an untapped market while requiring low overhead costs, and the brand offers a refined and proven business model to stake a claim in the $326 billion industry.”

Today Renovation Sells has 8 franchisees in 18 territories across the country, including Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Naperville, Illinois and Charleston, South Carolina.

Valente plans to continue growing Renovation Sells, and “continue to change the way real estate is sold as the premier resale renovation brand.”

“We’re aiming to be in 30 or more markets by the end of 2022,” he said.

Investments for franchise opportunities in the home renovation space can soar well over $200,000. The initial investment to franchise with Renovation Sells ranges from $78,208 to $101,142, including a $50,000 franchise fee making it much lower than most competitors. For more information, please visit: https://franchise.renovationsells.com/.