Free visual inspection and a written scope of work before any mitigation begins - photos, moisture readings, and drying logs go in your claim file
The scope we write is the scope we bill. Anything new gets shown to you, in writing, before we touch it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFranchise FAQ
You’ve got questions about opening a Wendell Water Damage Restoration location. Fair. We’d rather you ask everything upfront than wonder six months from now. Here are the answers people actually want, written the way we’d say them if you called the franchise line at (940) 466-4354.
Common Questions
Do I need restoration experience to open a Wendell location?
No, you don’t need restoration experience to qualify. What you need is the willingness to run a local service business and follow a system that’s been working since 2006. We train owners on the technical side, the equipment, the standards, and the customer experience. Many of our owners come from sales, real estate, contracting, or general management backgrounds. If you’ve hired people, managed a budget, and cared about showing up on time, you’re closer than you think.
What’s the total investment range?
Total investment typically falls between $150,000 and $450,000 depending on your market, real estate costs, and the equipment package you start with. That includes professional-grade drying equipment from Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, XPOWER, B-Air, and Injectidry, plus your initial training, software, and launch support. You’ll receive a detailed breakdown in your Franchise Disclosure Document so the number on paper is the number you plan around.
Is financing available?
Many owners use SBA-backed loans, and Wendell has relationships with lenders who understand the restoration industry. We don’t provide financing directly, but we can point you to partners who’ve funded other Relay Home Co. locations. You’ll want to have your personal financial statement ready when you call, because that’s the first thing any lender asks for.
What territory or exclusivity do I get?
Each location receives a protected territory based on population, household income, and realistic service demand. You won’t be competing with another Wendell location across the street. The territory is defined in writing before you sign, and it’s large enough to support real growth but small enough that you can actually reach jobs quickly. Response time is part of the brand, so territory size matters more here than in most service businesses.
How long does training take?
Initial training runs about four weeks, split between classroom-style sessions and hands-on time with equipment and real job scenarios. You’ll learn IICRC, RIA, and IFA-standard practices, how to scope a water loss, how to run psychrometric readings, and how the Wendell tech platform works for booking, photos, and invoicing. After launch, you get ongoing training, including annual refreshers and access to field support when you need it.
What are the ongoing fees and royalties?
There is a royalty and a small technology fee, both structured as a percentage of gross revenue. The exact percentages are in the FDD, and they’re competitive with other home service franchise models. You also contribute to a brand fund that pays for the national visibility that brings leads to your territory. We believe in putting the numbers in writing before anything starts, and that includes the fee structure.
How quickly can I open after signing?
Most owners open within three to six months of signing the franchise agreement. The timeline depends on how quickly you secure a location, get equipment delivered, and complete training. Some owners move faster if they find an existing warehouse or shop space that’s already built out. We’ll give you a realistic start date after your territory is confirmed.
What support do I get after opening?
You get a live support line, field coaching, marketing help, and access to the Wendell operations team. Our support includes help with hiring background-checked, uniformed technicians, setting up your 24/7 live-answer call flow, and getting your Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, XPOWER, B-Air, and Injectidry equipment maintained. You’re an independent owner, but you’re not alone on a job at 2 a.m.
Who’s the ideal Wendell owner?
The ideal owner is someone who understands that water damage doesn’t keep business hours and neither do we. You should be comfortable leading a team, talking to homeowners during a stressful moment, and following a system that values a written price before work starts and a written guarantee on every repair. If you like the idea of a business where a live person answers every call, 24/7, you’ll fit in. If you want to run things from a distance and never answer the phone, Wendell isn’t for you.
What should I do next?
Call (940) 466-4354 and ask for the franchise team. We’ll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and send you the initial materials. There’s no pressure, and no countdown timers. Just a conversation about whether this fits what you’re looking for.
Still Have Questions?
The best way to get real answers is to call (940) 466-4354 and talk to a human being. If you’d rather start online, submit the form below and someone from the franchise team will get back to you within one business day.
Written by Blake Sorensen, Owner & Lead Restoration Technician, Wendell Water Damage Restoration.