How to Finance a Furniture Medic Franchise: Mobile or Shop Model
By Marc Cornella
A Furniture Medic franchise loan finances a wood restoration and repair business that can run from a home base and a work vehicle or from a service center. Because the start-up budget is modest compared with many franchises, the financing questions center on equipment, a vehicle, working capital and how quickly the owner can build commercial and insurance-related work.
This article covers the fees and requirements Furniture Medic publishes, how its business models change the budget, what its SBA Franchise Directory listing means and how buyers can structure financing.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Furniture Medic; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Furniture Medic Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: furniture, cabinet and wood restoration and repair for residential, commercial and disaster restoration customers.
- History: the company says it has provided restoration services since 1992.
- Franchise fee: $50,000 for one territory, $85,000 for two and $110,000 for three, according to the franchisor’s website.
- Owner requirements: net worth of $150,000 and liquid capital of $50,000.
- Total investment: the franchise website lists a total investment figure of $85,000; the FDD’s Item 7 table gives the full range for each model.
- Business models: a mobile, home-based franchise or a service center-based option.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S0685, with no additional notes.
What Is Furniture Medic?
Furniture Medic repairs, refinishes and restores wood furniture, cabinets and fixtures. The franchisor describes three main lines of work:
- Commercial: furniture and wood fixture care for hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
- Residential: kitchen and bathroom cabinet transformation, furniture refreshing and heirloom restoration.
- Disaster restoration: water and fire damage restoration for mitigation firms, insurers and policyholders.
The franchise site also highlights regular business hours, recurring revenue streams, a national account program and sales and marketing systems. It says its national account program “has the potential for providing substantial recurring revenue.”
Why lenders view it the way they do. Furniture Medic is a long-established service brand with a relatively low investment. Lenders tend to focus less on collateral and more on the owner’s ability to sell, especially to commercial clients and restoration partners, and on whether working capital is sufficient to carry the business until revenue builds.
Furniture Medic Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor’s website lists a franchise fee of $50,000 for one territory, $85,000 for two territories and $110,000 for three. Multiple territories reduce the per-territory cost, but they also increase the upfront amount to finance.
Vehicle and equipment. A mobile operator needs a work vehicle outfitted for tools and materials, plus repair and refinishing equipment such as spray systems, compressors, touch-up and color-matching supplies, sanders and hand tools.
Service center. The service center option adds a lease, shop improvements, ventilation and finishing equipment suited to a fixed location.
Opening costs and working capital. Training travel, insurance, licensing, initial supplies, marketing and reserves for the early months.
Total investment. The franchise website lists a total investment figure of $85,000 alongside its net worth and liquidity requirements. Read Item 7 of the current FDD for the full range and how it differs between the mobile and service center models. Expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Vehicle purchase or lease and graphics
- Tools, equipment and opening supplies
- Training-related travel and expenses
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Marketing and launch costs
- Service center lease and improvements, if applicable
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty, any marketing fund contribution, technology fees and transfer and renewal fees. We could not verify those amounts from the franchisor’s published materials, so take them from the current FDD.
How lenders factor fees in. For a service business, labor and materials are the main costs. Fees tied to revenue come out before debt service, so lenders build them into projections and test whether the business can cover its payment in a slow month.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchise website lists these qualifications:
- Net worth: $150,000
- Liquid capital: $50,000
- Skills: the ability to build business-to-business relationships
Furniture Medic says its training covers restoration, repair, finishing and color matching, led by experienced craftspeople, and that its trainers have more than 20 years of craftsmanship experience. The franchise site also notes that leadership brings decades of franchising experience.
Because liquid capital is part of the requirement, a loan typically finances the balance of the project after your own cash contribution. Our article on how much franchise you can afford walks through the math.
Ways to Own a Furniture Medic
A new mobile franchise. The lower-cost entry. Financing focuses on the franchise fee, vehicle, equipment and working capital. See our franchise start-up financing options.
A service center. Adds a lease and shop build-out, which increases the budget and the importance of the lease terms.
Multiple territories. The fee schedule for two or three territories makes it practical to start larger. Lenders will want a plan for hiring technicians to cover the added area.
Buying an existing franchise. A buyer can acquire an established business with customers and commercial accounts. Lenders can underwrite historical financials. Our guide to buying a franchise resale covers the process.
Financing Options for a Furniture Medic Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, a Furniture Medic franchise loan can be structured as an SBA 7(a) loan covering the franchise fee, vehicle, equipment and working capital.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and collateral may use a conventional business loan, particularly to buy an existing territory or add a second one.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Work vehicles, spray and finishing systems and service center equipment can be financed separately. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Commercial and insurance-related jobs can come with payment terms, so cash can be tied up in receivables. A line of credit can cover materials and payroll while invoices are outstanding. See our franchise working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price of an existing business. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and loan programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Furniture Medic Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing does not approve any borrower, but it means the franchise relationship does not block an SBA-guaranteed loan.
Furniture Medic’s listing. Furniture Medic appears under code S0685 with no additional notes, so there are no brand-specific conditions for lenders to address beyond standard SBA rules.
SBA application tips. Provide the directory code, the current FDD and franchise agreement, a business plan with sales assumptions, vehicle and equipment quotes and your personal financial documents. Veterans may want to read about veteran franchise financing. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. 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 Furniture Medic Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Credit, tax returns, a personal financial statement and personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s net worth and liquidity requirements set a floor; lenders also look at reserves after closing.
Industry and management experience. Sales, business development, craft or restoration experience strengthens a request.
Business plan and projections. Show how you will build residential, commercial and disaster restoration work, including target accounts and a realistic ramp-up.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review fees, the term and transfer rules in Item 17, territory rights in Item 12, any franchisor financing in Item 10 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations. Our article on how lenders read an FDD explains what matters most.
For resales, historical financials. Profit and loss statements, tax returns and customer concentration for the business being purchased.
Vehicles, Equipment and Disaster Restoration Work
A Furniture Medic franchise loan often includes a work vehicle, because the mobile model brings the shop to the customer. Lenders treat vehicles and finishing equipment as collateral with a limited useful life, so loan terms are usually matched to that life. Keep titles, quotes and maintenance records organized.
Disaster restoration work brings a different cash cycle. Jobs referred by mitigation firms or tied to insurance claims may be paid after the work is complete, sometimes after an adjuster’s review. Plan for that gap with reserves or a line of credit, and track how much of your revenue depends on a few referral partners.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Furniture Medic’s territory fee schedule rewards buyers who start with two or three territories. Growth often depends on hiring and training technicians and adding vehicles. Lenders generally want to see the first territory performing before financing major expansion, and equipment financing can fund additional vehicles. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach growth.
Real-World Scenarios
A craftsperson starting mobile. A woodworker opens a mobile, home-based franchise, using an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee, vehicle and working capital.
A sales professional buying two territories. A former account manager buys two territories, hires a technician and focuses on hotels and restaurants.
An owner adding a service center. An established operator adds a service center and finances the finishing equipment separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the franchise fee as the full cost
- Leaving too little working capital for slow-paying commercial or insurance work
- Buying multiple territories without a hiring plan
- Overlooking vehicle and equipment replacement
- Relying on sales estimates not supported by Item 19 or local data
For more pitfalls, read about service contractor loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Furniture Medic Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet the requirements. Verify net worth and liquid capital.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 12, 17 and 19.
Step 3: Choose your model and territories. Decide between mobile and service center, and how many territories.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how much you can borrow and what you will need to inject.
Step 5: Apply and close. Submit your loan package with vehicle and equipment quotes.
Step 6: Launch. Complete training, build commercial relationships and keep a working capital cushion.
Furniture Medic Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Furniture Medic franchise cost?
The franchise website lists a total investment figure of $85,000. Read Item 7 of the current FDD for the full range by model.
What is the Furniture Medic franchise fee?
The website lists $50,000 for one territory, $85,000 for two and $110,000 for three.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor lists liquid capital of $50,000 and net worth of $150,000.
What royalty does Furniture Medic charge?
Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty and other ongoing fees; we could not verify them from the franchisor’s published materials.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Furniture Medic?
Yes, the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0685 with no additional notes. Each borrower still must qualify.
Can I run Furniture Medic from home?
Yes. The franchisor offers a mobile, home-based model as well as a service center option.
Can I finance the vehicle and equipment separately?
Often, yes. Equipment and vehicle financing can cover these items, subject to approval.
Can a first-time owner get a Furniture Medic franchise loan?
Possibly. Lenders weigh liquidity, sales ability and a credible plan.
Does Furniture Medic offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD.
Final Thoughts
Furniture Medic offers a relatively low-cost entry into restoration services. Choose the right model and territory count, keep enough working capital for commercial and insurance work and use the SBA listing to your advantage.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and service contractor financing solutions.
