New handyman franchise launches in Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS — Matt Bryant, owner of a new TruBlue Total House Care franchise in Fort Collins, hopes to operate by the rule of three.

Answer every call by the third ring. Prepare estimates within three days. Start a handyman project within three weeks.

So far, he’s on track, although the company has been in existence only since March 10.

The franchisor was founded in 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been among the fastest-growing franchise networks in the country. It specializes in providing services to older homeowners who want to age in place.

While Bryant has received certification as a senior safety specialist to help senior homeowners or those with special needs determine the need for handrails, ramps, lighting, that isn’t the only thing that the new franchise does.

“One day, I was hanging a picture. Today (Friday) I’m working on a deck remodel,” he said. He related that the deck project started out as a refinish, but a deteriorating substructure required the homeowner to do more.

Bryant’s franchise includes all of Fort Collins, Severance and Timnath, plus rural areas north to Wyoming.

There’s another franchise in Greeley that includes Windsor, he said. 

Bryant would like to expand his franchise to include Loveland and Longmont. 

He has a crew of four, plus a part-time worker. Crew members have various certifications and experience.

“One had a handyman business for 42 years. Another had a framing and trim company,” he said.

Bryant’s experience has been project management working with construction of metal buildings and office buildings. He also worked in the Poudre Valley School District, at one time as transportation director.

He acknowledged that the handyman space has a lot of competition. “It also has a lot of need,” he said. The focus of TruBlue includes senior citizens, but that’s not the only focus. Senior services are a big part of how the company will grow, he said.

Projects are priced by the estimated number of hours it will take to complete them, plus materials.

Interest has been robust so far. His rule of three has held up so far — his bookings are now at two weeks out, he said. “Once they get to three weeks, we’ll add technicians,” he said.

Source: BizWest