Appliance Repair Service
Every home has appliances. All of them break eventually.
Appliance repair services fix refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and HVAC systems in residential and commercial settings. The opportunity is massive: the average US home has 10+ appliances, most built to last 10–15 years, and repair is almost always cheaper than replacement. A single repair visit can generate $200–$500+ in labor and parts revenue. Professional appliance repair companies report 35–45% net profit margins with recurring 90+ customer satisfaction scores. The moat: manufacturer certifications (GE, Whirlpool, LG, Samsung) that lock you into premium pricing. Recurring maintenance contracts for commercial properties (restaurants, laundromats) provide predictable base revenue.
Avg Revenue
$450K
Profit Margin
38%
Acquisition Multiple
1.8x - 3.5x
Startup Cost
$25K - $75K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Customers call for repairs. Technicians diagnose issues over the phone or on-site, provide quotes, and schedule repairs. Revenue is split: 60–80% labor at $95–$150/hour, 20–40% parts markup (typically 2–3x cost). Commercial contracts (restaurants, laundromats, apartment complexes) provide recurring maintenance revenue on fixed schedules. Mobile service (technician visits customer homes) generates higher margins than storefront models.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811412 · Appliance Repair and Maintenance
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | OH | $963K | $1.1M | 13 | Mr. Appliance |
| Aug 2025 | FL | $400K | $471K | 31 | — |
| Mar 2025 | IN | $895K | $1.1M | 6 | — |
| Mar 2025 | IN | $100K | $118K | 6 | — |
| Oct 2024 | FL | $2.0M | $2.4M | 20 | Mr. Appliance |
| Sep 2024 | AZ | $744K | $875K | 7 | Mr. Appliance |
| Aug 2024 | TX | $1.2M | $1.4M | 9 | — |
| Jul 2024 | CA | $170K | $200K | 2 | — |
| Dec 2023 | MN | $139K | $164K | — | — |
| Dec 2023 | AZ | $739K | $869K | 1 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Recession-resistant — people repair appliances before replacing them
- +Service calls generate $300–$600+ per visit in labor + parts revenue
- +Manufacturer certifications create competitive moats and premium pricing
- +Commercial contracts (restaurants, laundromats) provide recurring base revenue
- +35–45% net profit margins with mature routes
- +Scalable — add technicians and service territory without major capital increases
Cons
- -Requires certified, skilled technicians — hard to hire and retain
- -Parts inventory can tie up $10K–$30K in working capital
- -Mobile service has vehicle/fuel costs and scheduling complexity
- -OEM exclusivity on some brands limits market access
- -Emergency calls create unpredictable scheduling and labor costs
Best For
Operators with HVAC or mechanical backgrounds; franchisees of national repair networks
Operating Costs
Primary costs: certified technician labor ($50K–$80K/year per tech), vehicle expenses (fuel, maintenance, insurance), parts inventory, and scheduling software. Commercial/residential mix impacts margins — commercial typically 5–10% higher.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find appliance repair and home service businesses for sale
Franchise opportunities in appliance repair and home services
Multi-service franchise including appliance repair opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $810K–$1.6M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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