Article featured in Franchising World Magazine.
Homeowners are moving less and staying in their homes longer. As a result, the supply of new housing in the U.S. is at historic lows. More than 60% of owner-occupied homes are currently more than 30 years old, with a median age of 40 years.
This trend, combined with increasingly unpredictable and severe weather in many areas, means a growing number of homes are at risk of experiencing major damage during a storm, fire or other disaster.
Services have long been widely available to help homeowners stabilize, protect and restore their homes after such damage. But it’s not just homes that are at risk. All of the items inside our homes could be damaged, too, including valuable family heirlooms, priceless collectibles and items holding great sentimental value.
Homeowners and insurers increasingly recognize the need to protect investment pieces and irreplaceable personal items, driving demand for the rapidly growing contents restoration industry – and opening opportunities for contents restoration franchises to grow while serving this urgent need.
Older homes often have charm and character that are hard to find in new construction. But there are downsides to older homes, too. Plumbing, gas and electrical systems may be outdated or in poor condition after decades of use. Structural issues may develop over time, including weakened foundations. If the windows or roof haven’t been maintained, severe water damage or mold contamination may have occurred. Some older properties may even contain toxic materials such as lead or asbestos.
With proper maintenance, timely replacement and investment in modern updates, older homes can be just as comfortable and secure as more recent construction. But many older homes are at higher risk of catastrophic flooding or fire due to plumbing or electrical failures. Older materials may also be more likely to experience severe damage as a result of normal wind, rain and snow.
During an unexpected catastrophic event, such as severe weather or wildfire, however, the lack of resilience common to aging buildings can be greatly amplified. That means homeowners’ risk of property damage or loss, liability and injury can increase substantially.
Contents restoration services play an essential role in protecting homeowners and their property in the aftermath of traumatic happenings. Their work starts immediately after a fire, flood or other catastrophic event. They carefully assess clients’ damaged property and take painstaking steps to secure, inventory, transport, and meticulously clean and restore items of value.
Trends suggest that demand for contents restoration services will continue to grow in the coming years. Even as new residential construction speeds, older homes will still make up a significant percentage of the national housing stock. And unpredictable climate and weather patterns appear to be the new normal. Contents restoration companies often work closely with insurers on behalf of homeowners. As a result, demand in the insurance industry is rapidly growing as providers seek to serve their clients and mitigate their risk.
Contents restoration franchises are especially well suited to respond to rapidly increasing awareness and demand. With a flexible business model and accessible entry to the industry, contents restoration franchisors and franchise owners are in a position to expand this crucial service and reach new territories. Efficient, scalable franchise systems empower business owners to quickly begin offering their services to meet demand in their areas and enable them to respond as their communities’ needs and expectations change.
Homeowners increasingly recognize the value that contents restoration companies provide: the peace of mind that allows them to navigate a difficult and unfamiliar situation and get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. Committing to that service can be the foundation of growing franchise success.
Stefan Figley is president of 1-800-Packouts, a leader in the contents and personal property restoration franchise industry since 2016 and part of the Five Star Franchising platform of home service brands. Figley has nearly 30 years of experience in the franchise and marketing industries, with a focus on brand growth. He has held executive and leadership positions with nationally recognized companies such as Terminix, Steamatic, Merry Maids and Jani-King International, as well as prominent international roles in the marketing industry.