FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for 1-800 Water Damage.
Based on 2025 FDD · 7 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a 1-800 Water Damage franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $221K – $315K. Reported owner economics show $35K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $59K franchise fee · 10.0% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
1-800 Water Damage requires a total initial investment of $221K to $315K (midpoint approximately $268K), with an initial franchise fee of $59K. The ongoing fee burden is 10.0% (10% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 22.3%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for 1-800 Water Damage locations is $434K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $35K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 12.9% with a payback period of approximately 7.7 years.
1-800 Water Damage operates approximately 178 franchised units. Unit count is relatively stable with a -1.8% year-over-year change. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 0.0% is well below the industry average of approximately 4.9%, indicating strong franchisee financial outcomes.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2013-2013). 1 loans across 1 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Common questions buyers ask about 1-800 Water Damage, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a 1-800 Water Damage franchise ranges from $221K to $315K, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
1-800 Water Damage charges a 10% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for 1-800 Water Damage is $59,000.
There are approximately 178 1-800 Water Damage franchise locations as of 2023.
The median revenue for a 1-800 Water Damage franchise is $434K, with a cash-on-cash return of 12.9%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
1-800 Water Damage has an SBA loan default rate of 0.0% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.
Whether a 1-800 Water Damage franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
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