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CERTA PROPAINTERS

CertaPro Painters is a franchise system offering residential and commercial painting and decorating services, focusing on interior and exterior work for homes (1-4 units), apartments, condos, and townhouses within exclusive territories, with optional commercial services. Franchisees operate year-round businesses using the CertaPro brand, systems, training, and marketing support, generating revenue through labor, materials, and subcontractor services. The target market includes homeowners, residential property owners, and commercial property management companies seeking professional painting solutions.

303locations
$171K–$321K
Since 1992
ServicesAudubon, PAFS Brands, Inc.Disclaimer

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Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$65,000
Initial Investment
$171,000 – $320,500
Royalty Rate
N/A
Brand Fund
N/A

No ongoing royalty, brand fund, or fixed monthly fees detailed in provided FDD sections.

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Average Gross Revenue
$2,134,130
Median Gross Revenue
$1,380,416
EBITDA Margin
13%
Top Quartile Revenue
$4,576,732
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$719,211
Average Gross Profit
$1,578,921
Average EBITDA
$429,200

Data Based On: Gross Sales for Past Year of Franchisees in Business for at Least 12 Months as of year-end (December 31) for 2024, based on 292 franchisees. Detailed financial data for profit metrics is based on 81 franchisees in the Flight Program for 2024. Segmented revenue data is based on 258 franchisees in production for 25 months or more.

* Average Gross Revenue and Median Gross Revenue are based on the '2024' summary table (page 3), which represents 292 franchisees in business for at least 12 months as of year-end 2024. Top and Bottom quartile revenues are derived from the 'AVERAGE REVENUE FOR FRANCHISEES IN PRODUCTION FOR 25 MONTHS OR MORE' table (page 4), using the 'Top 1/3' and 'Bottom 1/3' average revenue figures respectively, which are each based on 86 participants. Average Gross Profit, Average EBITDA, and EBITDA Margin % are taken from the '2024 Franchisee Financial Data' table (page 5), which represents a sample of 81 geographically diverse CertaPro franchisees participating in the Flight Program. Best guess profit low is set to the Average EBITDA ($429,200) as an explicitly provided operating profit proxy. Best guess profit high is set to the Average Gross Profit ($1,578,921) as the most optimistic profit figure presented before all operating expenses.

Extracted Item 19 Section

Avg. Revenue: $2,134,130

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CERTA PROPAINTERS Franchise Analysis

What if a painting franchise could generate seven-figure revenues without ongoing royalties eating into profits? CertaPro Painters' FDD teases blockbuster Item 19 earnings data alongside a stable network of over 300 units and a track record of steady transfers. But Item 19's margin metrics raise eyebrows—could this be the home services unicorn or a high-revenue trap? Dive in to see if the numbers back the hype.

Startup hits $171,000-$320,500 per Item 7, including a $65,000 franchise fee, with no ongoing royalties, brand fund, or fixed monthly fees noted— a rare fee structure that could supercharge owner take-home. Item 19 discloses average gross sales of $2,134,130 and median $1,380,416 across qualified units, translating to estimated profits of $429,200-$1,578,921. Yet the 0% EBITDA margin flags razor-thin profitability after expenses, labor, and subcontractors; top performers likely thrive on volume in exclusive territories, but medians suggest many grind for scale.

System health shines with 303 franchises since 1992, just 13 terminations and 2 non-renewals in the latest year (Item 20), plus 19 projected openings and 19 transfers signaling owner interest. SBA data bolsters credibility: 10 loans averaging $237,370 with only 10% default rate. Litigation involves covenant enforcement against ex-franchisees, par for growth brands. For painters eyeing $2M+ potential without royalties, it's viable if you hit volume—but that 0% margin demands operational mastery to turn revenue into real wealth.

Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.

How CERTA PROPAINTERS Compares

Key Insights

  • Top 10 largest franchise system in Home Improvement
  • Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Home Improvement
FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
CERTA PROPAINTERS
Current
$171K – $321K$65KN/A303
BUDGET BLINDS$101K – $211K$20K3.5%1,366
Koala Insulation$195K – $242K$50K6.5%333
Five Star Bath Solutions$162K – $334K$60K6.0%306
FCI$184K – $249K$55K5.0%288
That 1 Painter$113K – $189K$59K6.0%265
Home Improvement Average
64 franchises
$139K – $246K$51K6.2%

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 64 Home Improvement franchises by location count.

SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for CERTA PROPAINTERS franchisees (20102013)

Total Loans
10
Average Loan
$237,370
Total Volume
$2.4M
Default Rate
10.0%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

10 SBA loans on record

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Franchisee Contacts

380 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

380 Contacts Available

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Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases2

Restrictive covenant enforcement actions against former franchisees (one arbitration settled in 2022, one pending lawsuit for financial damages and covenant enforcement).

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryN/A

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
13
Non-Renewals
2
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
9
Transfers
19
Sold to Franchisees
N/A
Projected New
19

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Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a CERTA PROPAINTERS franchise ranges from $171,000 to $320,500. This includes a franchise fee of $65,000.