Ace Handyman Services is the #1 ranked handyman franchise in America, wholly owned by Ace Hardware since 2019. Founded in 1998 as Handyman Matters and franchising since 2001, the brand combines 25+ years of home services experience with the most trusted hardware brand in the country.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $75,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator or semi-absentee
- Location Type: Office-based
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None; business leadership preferred
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- Ace Hardware’s $100M+ annual marketing budget
- 95% brand recognition across U.S. population
- #1 handyman franchise on Entrepreneur 500
- W-2 craftsmen deliver consistent service quality
- 75% of households within 15 minutes of Ace
About Ace Handyman Franchise
Handyman Matters was founded in 1998 by Andy Bell and began franchising in 2001. For over two decades, it consistently ranked as the top handyman franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine. In 2019, Ace Hardware acquired the brand and rebranded it as Ace Handyman Services — pairing deep industry experience with one of America’s most recognized home brands.
The model fills the gap between DIY homeowners and large general contractors. Franchisees build teams of W-2 craftsmen (not subcontractors) who deliver professional home repair and improvement services using a proprietary 8-step Service Path process that ensures consistency from first call to warranty service.
Why Franchise With Ace Handyman Services?
- Ace Hardware brand power — 95% of U.S. consumers recognize the Ace brand. Over $100 million in annual marketing spend drives awareness that independent handyman services can’t match.
- Built-in customer proximity — 75% of American households live within 15 minutes of an Ace Hardware store. These customers already trust Ace and now have access to trusted home services.
- W-2 employee model — Craftsmen are W-2 employees, not subcontractors. This creates consistency, quality control, and a professional customer experience that differentiates from gig-economy competitors.
- Proprietary Service Path system — 8-step process from first call to warranty service ensures every customer receives the same experience regardless of job size. Consistency drives referrals and repeat business.
- Supply chain and rebate access — Franchisees receive rebates through Ace’s national network of participating stores plus exclusive co-marketing opportunities unavailable to independent operators.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The $400 billion home improvement industry is shifting from DIY to DIFM (Do It For Me). Baby Boomers who once handled repairs themselves now need professional help. Millennials entering homeownership prioritize time over weekend projects. This structural demand isn’t a trend — it’s a permanent market shift.
Competitive Advantage: Independent handymen lack systems, branding, and accountability. Large contractors won’t take small jobs. Ace Handyman Services occupies the sweet spot with professional craftsmen, technology-driven scheduling, and instant estimates powered by 20+ years of pricing data. The Ace brand opens doors that “Joe’s Handyman” never could.
ABF Timing Insight: Ranked #1 in the handyman category and #127 overall on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, Ace Handyman Services has momentum. The 2019 Ace Hardware acquisition created a growth platform that’s still in early innings — franchisees joining now benefit from brand infrastructure while prime territories remain available.
Training & Support
- 12-week pre-training program — Remote foundational learning covering business setup, systems, and operations before in-person training begins.
- 1-week owner training — Remote instruction on daily operations, marketing execution, team management, and technology platforms.
- 1-week on-site launch support — Hands-on assistance during grand opening to ensure smooth startup and early operational success.
- 90-day post-launch coaching — Continued performance review and business coaching during the critical early months of operation.
- Ongoing marketing support — Monthly program updates, quarterly marketing calendars, and continuous testing of new customer acquisition strategies.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Business leadership or management background
- Comfortable building and leading W-2 employee teams
- Servant leader mindset focused on community impact
- No handyman or construction experience required
- Corporate, project management, or operations experience valued
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT A Good Fit for This Franchise
Are you seeking passive or absentee ownership? This requires active leadership building and managing a team.
Are you uncomfortable hiring and leading W-2 employees? The model depends on employed craftsmen, not subcontractors.
Do you expect to personally perform the handyman work? Owners lead the business — craftsmen perform the services.
Do you have less than $75,000 in liquid capital?
If you answered yes to any of these, this franchise may not be the right fit. Candidates who do not meet the financial criteria below are typically not approved by the franchisor.
Investment Readiness Check
- Liquid Capital Required: $75,000 — required for consideration
- Ownership timeline: 4–6 months from signing to launch
- Credit and net worth verified during qualification
- Total investment ranges $131,997 – $223,797
- Protected territories in markets near Ace Hardware store footprint
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need handyman or construction experience?
A. No. Many successful franchisees come from corporate leadership, project management, marketing, or operations backgrounds. You lead the business — trained craftsmen perform the services.
Q. How is this different from hiring subcontractors?
A. Ace Handyman Services uses W-2 employees, not subcontractors. This gives franchisees control over quality, scheduling, and customer experience that subcontractor models can’t match.
Q. What is the Service Path?
A. An 8-step process from first customer call to warranty service. Every customer experiences the same consistent, professional journey regardless of job size — driving referrals and repeat business.
Q. Is there a veteran discount?
A. Yes. Ace Handyman Services is a VetFran member and offers incentives for qualified veterans.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $75,000 established by the franchisor.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Ace Handyman Services.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Brian Wigutow, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
I had zero construction experience and little knowledge of the craft. It’s about managing processes, treating your employees better than they ever have been treated and customer service.
I’m excited to have the backing of Ace moving forward. The synergies with the local stores is going to be an amazing source of revenue from a trusted referral source.