How Three Virginia Beach Friends Landed on Mastertech
Wendell had been in the industries for decades. His friends Deion and E.C. ran crews of their own. None of them wanted to chase jobs forever, but none were ready for retirement either. One night Wendell searched for “services contractors can add without starting from scratch.” He found Mastertech Environmental’s franchise page, liked what he saw, and booked a call.
“Tom Duff—Mastertech’s Co-Founder—answered. We talked an hour. No sales script, just how the work gets done and what backup we’d have,” Wendell says.
The three drove to New Jersey a month later. They walked the training house, checked out the gear, saw several jobs during a ride-along and asked every question they could think of. By day’s end they had signed for a Full Franchise territory that covers Virginia Beach and the surrounding counties.
Why They Figured Restoration Was Worth the Jump
- Older homes. The median U.S. house is 40 + years old, and old plumbing plus coastal humidity means steady mold and water issues.
- Wild weather. Hurricanes and nor’easters hit the Tidewater region hard; every big storm spins off dry‑out calls.
- Health concerns. Homeowners google “mold illness” all the time and want calm, factual help.
- Cross‑sell fit. Local plumbers and HVAC firms already find hidden moisture; they just need someone reliable to hand those leads to.
For Wendell’s crew, the demand side felt obvious. The missing piece was a process they could trust.
What the Franchise Actually Provides
Hands‑On Training First, Digital Refreshers Later
- Five days in New Jersey: suit‑up drills, live containments, and paperwork walk‑throughs.
- Video modules and updated written SOPs drop into the training portal whenever codes or best‑practices change. mastertechfranchise.com
Simple, Off‑the‑Shelf Tools
Moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, CRM software, photo logs, estimate and invoice templates—pre‑loaded and ready. Nothing fancy, but it keeps jobs moving and records tight.
Marketing Materials You Can Edit, Not a Hype Machine
Blog drafts, social captions and graphics, postcards, and a referral kit for plumbers and real‑estate agents. Use them as‑is or tweak the tone for your market.
Clear Ethics Policy
No scare tactics, no surprise add‑ons. Reports show readings and lab results; prices are quoted before work starts. Third‑party labs handle the samples, so the data stays neutral.
Costs the Partners Faced Up Front
*Numbers below come straight from the current Mastertech website and Franchise Disclosure Document. Always read the full FDD for final figures.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee – Full Franchise (protected territory) | $49,000 | Territory rights plus startup training mastertechfranchise.com |
| Initial Franchise Fee – Pro Franchise (non‑protected) | $29,000 | Same systems, no exclusivity mastertechfranchise.com |
| Royalty – Full Franchise | 5 % → 4 % → 3 % (tiers down as revenue grows) mastertechfranchise.com | |
| Royalty – Pro Franchise | Flat $1,000 / month mastertechfranchise.com | |
| National Marketing Fund | $160 / month | Same for both models mastertechfranchise.com |
| Equipment Package | $18k – $35k | Air scrubbers, meters, PPE, dehumidifiers |
| Launch Marketing Budget | $10k – $20k | Website, local ads, print runs |
| Working Capital (three months) | $15k – $25k | Payroll, fuel, disposal fees |
The total land‑in range for most owners lands between roughly $100k and $135k.
Where the Revenue Comes From
| Service Line | Typical Ticket | Why It’s Steady |
|---|---|---|
| Residential mold remediation | $4k – $8k | Insurance often covers part; homeowners want it fixed fast |
| Water‑damage dry‑out | $5k – $15k | Every burst pipe or roof leak needs drying before repairs |
| Biohazard & trauma cleanup | $4k – $7k | Few local competitors, referrals from first responders |
| Commercial & real‑estate inspections | Flat fee | Keeps trucks busy between big jobs |
Ownership Styles
- Owner‑Operator – You run the crew. Lean overhead, hands‑on every day.
- Add‑On Division – You already own an HVAC, plumbing, or pest‑control firm. Same office staff, new revenue stream.
- Manager‑Run – You quote jobs and network; lead techs handle the field work.
Royalties and training access are identical in each setup.
Wendell, Deion & E.C.: The First‑Year Scorecard
- First 90 days – 14 jobs: nine mold, three water dry‑outs, two inspection only. Most leads came from one plumbing partner and a single Facebook ad.
- Month 4 slump – They paused ads to “save cash” and the phone went quiet. HQ flagged the issue, helped reset budgets, call volume came back.
- Month 6 – The Mastertech-provided website was bringing in leads organically through SEO.
- Month 7 – Hired a part‑time tech so the owners could split duties; gross to date hit $178k.
- End of Year 1 – 52 jobs, $410k gross, break‑even hit in month ten.
Wendell’s summary: “Whenever we hit a wall, someone at headquarters had a suggestion or a solution we could use. That alone made the fee worth it.”
Quick‑Fire Questions People Keep Asking
Do I need a special license?
Some states require a mold‑remediation license and specific insurance. Mastertech walks you through the paperwork.
What if I can’t crawl attics or work in tight spaces?
Own the business, not every ladder. Plenty of franchisees run estimates and hire field techs for the climb‑in work.
Is the territory really mine?
With a Full Franchise, yes—exclusive ZIP codes, usually 250k‑ 350k population. Pro Franchises trade exclusivity for a lower fee.
How fast can I book a first job?
Most owners close their first paid project within 60 days of finishing training.
Are biohazard jobs hard to sell?
They usually come from police and property managers who already need the service. It’s methodical work, not CSI drama.
Taking the Next Step (Zero Pressure)
- Book a phone call – Talk with Tom Duff or Eric Green, the co-founders. Bring tough questions about margins, bad days, and what really breaks.
- Read the FDD front to back – Highlight anything that feels fuzzy; make sure you’re comfortable with every clause.
- Visit Discovery Day – Walk the training center, try the equipment, attend job visits, talk to techs in the field.
- Call existing owners – You’ll get a list; nothing is scripted.
- Line up financing and territory – SBA, 401(k) rollovers, equipment leasing—all common routes.
You can walk away any time before you sign. No one’s locking the door.
Wendell’s Parting Thought
“We wanted a real business but didn’t want to figure out every process ourselves. Mastertech provided the roadmap. If that’s what you’re after, drive up and see it. The visit answered every question we had.”
Thinking about a switch, an add‑on, or a second act? The Mastertech model is one option. Kick the tires, dig into the numbers, and decide if the systems match the work you want to do. If you still have questions, click the link below or pick up the phone—straight answers are the only kind worth having.
mastertechfranchise.com