How to Finance a Bio-One Franchise: Biohazard Cleanup Startup
By Marc Cornella
A Bio-One franchise loan finances a business that few people think about until they need it: cleaning up after crime scenes, unattended deaths, hoarding situations and other biohazards. Because the work is service-based rather than tied to a storefront, the financing picture looks very different from a restaurant or hotel deal, and it centers on equipment, protective gear, vehicles, payroll and the time it takes to get paid.
Below, we cover how Bio-One works, what to pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before borrowing, which loan programs fit and how the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing affects your options.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Bio-One; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change from year to year, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Bio-One Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: crime and trauma scene cleaning, biohazard cleanup, hoarding cleanup and related remediation services, delivered by locally owned franchise offices.
- Positioning: Bio-One describes itself as the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise and cites more than 20 years of experience.
- Corporate office: Springville, Utah, according to the company’s website.
- Fees and total investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing contribution and estimated initial investment are set out in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; the franchisor does not publish them on its own pages.
- Owner requirements: any net worth or liquidity thresholds are provided during the franchise discovery process and should be confirmed in writing.
- SBA Franchise Directory: Bio-One is listed under code S2617, with no special note attached to the listing.
What Is Bio-One?
Bio-One is a franchise system built around emergency and specialty cleaning that most cleaning companies will not take on. The company says every Bio-One location is locally owned and operated by someone who lives and works in the community it serves, and that owners are backed by national training, safety protocols and consistent operational standards across the network.
Services. According to the company’s website, Bio-One offices handle crime scene, unattended death and blood spill cleanup, virus and bacteria disinfection, emergency vehicle decontamination, sewage backups, hoarding cleanup, odor and mold remediation, meth lab and fentanyl remediation and rodent dropping removal.
How the work is delivered. Bio-One says its teams use specialized protective equipment, industry-approved remediation methods and proper disposal procedures. It also notes that its vehicles are unmarked so crews draw little attention at a family’s home.
Who pays. The franchisor’s description of an owner’s day includes pricing jobs, sending invoices and working with clients or their insurance companies to get paid. That matters for financing, because a job can be finished well before the money arrives.
Why lenders view Bio-One the way they do. Lenders generally see a service franchise with modest fixed assets and revenue that depends on referrals and response time. Training and the SBA directory listing help, but approval rests on the borrower’s liquidity and a realistic ramp-up plan.
Bio-One Franchise Costs
Bio-One does not publish its franchise fee or estimated initial investment on its own franchising pages, which describe the start-up investment only as low compared with other concepts in the space. The specific numbers appear in the FDD, and they set the size of any Bio-One franchise loan request.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD discloses the initial franchise fee, how it is calculated (for example, whether it varies with territory size or population), when it is due and whether any portion is refundable.
Equipment, protective gear and supplies. The franchisor says its Quick Start Package handles the ordering and shipping of equipment, protective suits, business cards and rack cards. Item 7 should show whether that package is bundled into the franchise fee or listed as a separate line item, and what additional equipment and chemicals an owner is expected to buy on their own.
Opening costs and working capital. Additional funds for the first months deserve particular attention because insurance-paid jobs can take time to collect.
Total investment. The Item 7 table adds these categories into a low and high estimate. When you build your loan request, use the high end of each line item, then add a reserve for slow collections and the time it takes to build referral relationships. The typical Item 7 categories to review include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Quick Start Package (equipment, protective suits and printed materials)
- Additional cleaning equipment, chemicals and consumables
- Work vehicle and outfitting
- Office or storage space, deposits and utilities
- Computer equipment, software and technology setup
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Training travel and living expenses
- Grand opening and local marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Our overview of how a Franchise Disclosure Document shapes a loan request explains how lenders read these items.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. Item 6 of the FDD sets out the royalty, how it is calculated and whether a minimum applies. Whether it is a percentage or a flat or minimum amount changes the pressure on early cash flow.
Brand and marketing contributions. Item 6 also discloses any national marketing fund contribution, local marketing requirement, technology or software fees and call center or lead-handling charges. Ask how the franchisor’s national accounts and cooperative purchasing programs work, since the company’s website references both.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders deduct royalties and marketing fees before they look at what is available for debt service. Any minimum royalty must be covered from reserves while referral volume builds.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Bio-One does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital figures on its own franchising pages, so confirm any requirement directly with the franchisor and match it against what you plan to borrow. The company’s materials describe an owner role that combines marketing, team leadership and job oversight.
- Marketing: the franchisor’s description of a typical day has owners planning marketing, choosing where to call on referral sources and tailoring their pitch to each community.
- Team leadership: owners build and coach a team of technicians who must be ready to respond quickly when calls come in at any time.
- Safety: owners make sure technicians wear proper protective gear on every job, since the work involves chemicals and pathogens.
- Billing: owners price jobs, invoice and work with clients or insurers to collect.
- Training: hands-on training at the corporate office, practice on staged jobs, assisting on real jobs and technical setup covering the website, bookkeeping and billing.
The approval process. The franchisor lists a path that starts with a call to its franchise team, continues with conversations about hiring needs, marketing and the business model, and includes a visit to a corporate office to see the work firsthand. Candidates are encouraged to speak with existing owners before signing, training and opening. Lenders like to see this discovery work completed before a Bio-One franchise loan application.
Ways to Own a Bio-One
A new territory. The franchisor’s territory map marks areas as open, limited or unavailable, so check availability early. Financing for a new territory is underwritten on projections, the borrower’s experience and the startup budget from Item 7. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how these requests are structured.
Buying an existing Bio-One office. Resales give a buyer something a new territory cannot: historical revenue, an established base of referral relationships and trained technicians. Lenders can underwrite actual results. Transfers require franchisor approval, so review the transfer section of the franchise agreement and Item 17 before you sign a letter of intent. See our guide to buying a franchise resale and our restoration and remediation business acquisition financing options.
Financing Options for a Bio-One Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Bio-One appears on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often a natural fit for a new territory or a resale. A single 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, equipment, a vehicle, opening costs and working capital, and longer terms can keep payments manageable while the business builds referral volume.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It rarely fits a startup but may suit an established owner buying a storage and office building.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan can work for a borrower with strong credit, meaningful collateral or an existing business, and often finances an additional territory once the office has a track record.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Work vehicles, ozone generators and air scrubbers, foggers and sprayers, protective equipment, specialized cleaning tools and storage containers for regulated waste can often be financed separately, with the equipment serving as collateral. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll for on-call technicians, disposal fees and supplies are paid as jobs are done, while payment from insurers or property owners can arrive later. A line of credit or working capital loan helps cover that gap. See our restoration and remediation working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. In the purchase of an existing office, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured or whether it can count toward the buyer’s contribution, so plan it with your lender from the start.
SBA Loans for Bio-One Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists franchise brands whose agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally check the directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee.
Bio-One’s listing. Bio-One appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2617, with no note attached to the listing. In plain terms, the brand’s agreement has been accepted for SBA lending with no extra conditions noted, so an SBA-backed Bio-One franchise loan review focuses on the borrower and the business plan. Directory status can change, so confirm it with your lender when you apply.
Program limits. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
SBA application tips. Prepare a business plan with month-by-month projections for at least the first two years, a personal financial statement, resumes for each owner, personal and business tax returns, the FDD and a signed or draft franchise agreement. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Bio-One Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and owners with a meaningful stake are typically asked for a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Beyond the equity contribution, lenders want to see reserves that can carry the business through a slow stretch. Because biohazard calls are irregular, a borrower with a personal cushion is a stronger candidate.
Industry and management experience. Background in cleaning, restoration, emergency services, healthcare, property management or sales helps, as does managing hourly staff, since referrals and crews drive the business.
Business plan and projections. Projections for a new territory should be conservative about the time it takes to win referral relationships, should reflect the mix of direct-pay and insurance-paid jobs, and should include realistic collection timing. Include technician wages and on-call pay, disposal and supply costs, insurance, vehicle costs, royalties and marketing fees.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders look at the term, renewal and transfer conditions in Item 17, the territory rights in Item 12, any franchisor financing in Item 10 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, tax returns, accounts receivable aging and job history. Receivables quality matters, because slow insurance payments can make a business look stronger on paper than in cash.
Equipment, Safety and Compliance
Biohazard remediation runs on specialized gear. Typical equipment includes protective suits, respirators and gloves, cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, sprayers and foggers, air scrubbers and odor-control equipment, tools for removing contaminated materials and containers for regulated medical waste. The franchisor’s Quick Start Package supplies starting equipment and protective suits, but consumables are replaced constantly and larger pieces wear out.
Compliance costs. Waste transport and disposal rules, worker safety training and state or local licensing requirements vary by location. Lenders will ask whether the business can legally operate in its territory from day one.
Multi-Unit Growth and Territory Expansion
Financing a second territory. Once your first office has a record of revenue and collections, lenders can underwrite the existing cash flow alongside projections for the new area. Owners often finance additional territories with a new SBA 7(a) loan or a conventional loan secured by the existing business.
Shared resources. Adjacent territories can share storage, vehicles and an on-call technician pool. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach owners with several units.
Real-World Scenarios
A first responder starting a new territory. A retired firefighter buys an open territory. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the franchise fee, equipment, a work vehicle and several months of working capital, and the projections reflect a gradual build of referrals from emergency services and property managers.
A buyer acquiring an existing office. A sales professional buys an established Bio-One office from an owner who is retiring. The lender underwrites the office’s historical revenue and receivables, the seller carries a small subordinate note and the buyer keeps a working capital line for collection timing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Borrowing only the low end of Item 7 and leaving no reserve for slow collections
- Underestimating how long it takes to build referral relationships in a new territory
- Ignoring on-call payroll, insurance and waste disposal costs in projections
- Relying on revenue claims that are not in Item 19 of the current FDD
- Overlooking licensing and waste-handling requirements in your state
- Buying a resale without reviewing its receivables and job history
- Using a short-term loan to pay for long-lived equipment and vehicles
For more pitfalls specific to the industry, read the restoration company loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Bio-One Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD and confirm territory availability. Ask the franchise team for the current FDD and check the territory map.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Complete discovery. Visit a corporate office, see the work firsthand and talk with existing owners about startup costs and collection timing.
Step 4: Build your budget and projections. Use the high end of Item 7, add reserves and project revenue, payroll, insurance and collections month by month.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing for your situation before you sign the franchise agreement.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Align the lender’s timeline with the franchisor’s approval and training schedule.
Step 7: Close and launch. Fund working capital, order equipment and vehicles, complete training and begin calling on referral sources.
Bio-One Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Bio-One franchise?
The estimated initial investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD, which a candidate receives during discovery. The franchisor does not publish a figure on its own pages.
What is the Bio-One franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee appears in Item 5 of the FDD, along with when it is due and any refund conditions.
What royalty does Bio-One charge?
Royalties, marketing contributions and other recurring fees are listed in Item 6 of the FDD.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
Bio-One does not publish minimum net worth or liquidity figures on its own pages. Confirm any requirement with the franchisor, and plan for enough personal funds to cover your equity contribution and reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Bio-One franchise?
Yes, if you qualify. Bio-One is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2617, so SBA lenders can consider SBA 7(a) financing for a new territory or a resale. Confirm current directory status with your lender.
Can I finance the equipment and vehicle separately?
Yes. Vehicles, air scrubbers, odor-control equipment and other specialized gear can often be financed through equipment loans or leases.
Can I buy an existing Bio-One office?
Yes, subject to franchisor approval of the transfer.
Can a first-time business owner get a Bio-One franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves the candidate and the borrower meets the lender’s credit and liquidity standards. The franchisor’s hands-on training helps, and lenders still value management, sales or related experience.
Does Bio-One offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing the franchisor or its affiliates offer. Most owners arrange their own SBA, conventional or equipment financing.
How long is the Bio-One franchise term?
The franchise term, renewal rights and transfer conditions are summarized in Item 17 of the FDD. Lenders generally want the remaining term to cover the length of the loan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A Bio-One franchise loan is less about real estate and more about equipment, people and patience while referral relationships grow and insurance payments arrive. Buyers who work from the current FDD, borrow enough to cover the high end of startup costs and keep a healthy working capital reserve put themselves in the best position to serve families when the call comes.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing programs and our restoration, remediation and cleaning business financing.
