Bath Fitter franchise startup costs run $174K–$343K for a bathroom remodeling franchise that installs custom-measured acrylic bath liners and wall surrounds over existing fixtures — typically in one day, without demo.
Bath Fitter franchise costs at a glance
Total investment
$174,000–$343,000
Franchise fee
$50,000
Royalty
8%
Liquid capital required
$60,000
Net worth required
$150,000
Source: Bath Fitter Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) · as of 2026-07-27. Figures vary by market and site; verify against the current FDD before signing.
Key takeaways
Total estimated startup cost: $174,000–$343,000(bathroom remodeling franchise — acrylic liner and wall surround systems)
Franchise fee: $50,000
Ongoing royalty: 5–8% of gross sales
One-day installation model — no demolition, no permits required in most cases
Listed on the SBA Franchise Directory — eligible for expedited SBA loan processing
Bath Fitter locations serve residential homeowners and light commercial customers (hotels, apartments) replacing bathtubs, shower bases, and wall surrounds. Each product is custom-measured and manufactured to fit the existing space precisely — the acrylic liner goes over the old tub or shower, the wall surround covers existing tile. Corporate provides proprietary products, manufacturing relationships, marketing systems, and installation training. Revenue is project-based: the average residential bathroom remodel transaction ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 depending on scope.
2 Total startup investment (FDD via FTC 16 CFR Part 436)
Per the current FDD filed under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment for a Bath Fitter franchise runs $174,000–$343,000. The service-based model has minimal real estate requirements — most franchisees operate from a showroom or small office:
Franchise fee: $50,000
Vehicle(s): $15,000–$50,000 (branded service vans for installers and product transport)
Training (initial Bath Fitter training program): $10,000–$20,000
Grand opening marketing: $10,000–$30,000
Working capital (3 months): $25,000–$50,000
Permits, licenses, bond, and insurance: $5,000–$15,000
3 Ongoing fees
Bath Fitter charges a 5–8% royalty on gross sales on a sliding scale based on revenue. Revenue is project-based — average residential bathroom liner and surround projects run $2,000–$6,000 per job. The no-demolition model requires less skilled labor than traditional remodeling, making crew scaling more straightforward. The commercial channel (hotels, apartment complexes) provides larger batch jobs that improve crew utilization.
4 Financing options
Bath Fitter is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. At $174K–$343K, the full investment range fits within SBA Express:
SBA 7(a) / SBA Express loan: The full range fits comfortably within SBA Express (up to $500K) per the SBA 7(a) program. 10-year terms on working capital; vehicle financing available.
SBA 504 loan: Less common at this investment level, but applicable for franchisees acquiring commercial showroom real estate per the SBA 504 program.
Equipment and vehicle financing: Service vans, installation tools, and showroom fixtures can be financed separately over 3–5 years.
Working capital line of credit: Covers installer payroll, product inventory, and marketing during revenue ramp-up.
5 ROI timeline
Bath Fitter operators typically target breakeven within 12–24 months. The relatively low investment level, scalable service crew model, and recurring demand from aging housing stock provide strong unit economics at moderate revenue run rates. The US housing stock's age — median US home over 40 years old — generates sustained bathroom remodel demand. Bath Fitter's one-day installation and no-demo positioning makes it easier to close sales than traditional remodel contractors who require longer project timelines and higher total costs.
6 Who's a good fit
Bath Fitter suits owner-operators with sales, construction, or home improvement service management backgrounds. Installation technicians are hired — the franchisee manages estimating, sales, scheduling, and crew operations. Financial benchmarks typically require net worth of $150K+ and liquid capital of $60K+. Operators comfortable with in-home sales consultations and managing a small installation crew perform best. The low overhead model and manageable investment make it one of the more accessible home improvement franchise categories.
7 What lenders look for in a Bath Fitter franchise application
SBA lenders underwriting Bath Fitter applications under SBA SOP 50 10 8 evaluate five primary factors:
Project pipeline as DSCR evidence: Bath Fitter is a project-based business — average residential transactions run $2,000–$6,000 per job. Lenders require a 12-month forward DSCR pro forma based on realistic job volume projections for the territory. Supplement your pro forma with US Census housing stock age data for the service territory (median US home is 40+ years old, generating sustained bathroom remodel demand) and document any commercial accounts (hotels, apartment complexes) that produce batch job volume.
Service vehicles as primary collateral: Branded service vans are Bath Fitter's strongest collateral asset — commercial vehicles have active secondary markets and are not purpose-built to the franchise. Structure vehicle financing separately from the SBA 7(a) loan to maximize vehicle collateral weight and minimize the unsecured working capital component of the SBA request. SBA Express (up to $500K) covers the full Bath Fitter investment range.
Acrylic product inventory as collateral with discount: Initial acrylic liner and wall surround inventory ($20K–$50K) is brand-proprietary product with limited liquidation value outside the Bath Fitter system. SBA lenders typically discount inventory collateral at 50–60 cents on the dollar. Size the inventory financing to match realistic near-term job pipeline rather than maximizing inventory upfront.
SBA Express natural fit: The full Bath Fitter investment range ($174K–$343K) fits within SBA Express (up to $500K), which provides faster approval timelines than standard SBA 7(a) processing. The SBA Franchise Directory listing expedites franchisor-related steps further. Structure the financing to stay within SBA Express limits to minimize approval timeline.
Equity injection 10–15%: The $174K–$343K investment range requires 10–15% equity injection under SBA SOP 50 10 8 — approximately $17K–$51K from liquid borrower assets. Equity cannot be borrowed. Liquid capital reserves above the equity injection are required to cover crew payroll and installation materials during the initial project ramp-up period.
ClearValue Lending works with home improvement and remodeling franchise operators on SBA 7(a), equipment financing, vehicle financing, and working capital lines. Start at small business financing or apply for franchise financing at Find my match. Your file routes to the funding partners best matched to your file.
Sources
Bath Fitter is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility review. — SBA Franchise Directory
SBA 7(a) Express loans go up to $500K — the full Bath Fitter investment range fits within Express, with 10-year terms for working capital and vehicle/equipment financing available. — SBA 7(a) Loan Program
SBA 504 loans provide fixed-rate long-term financing for owner-occupied commercial real estate — applicable to Bath Fitter franchisees acquiring showroom space. — SBA 504 Loan Program
All franchise cost and fee disclosures are governed by the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436) requiring a Franchise Disclosure Document be delivered at least 14 days before signing. — FTC Franchise Rule — 16 CFR Part 436
The Fed Small Business Credit Survey finds bank loans and SBA-guaranteed financing remain the primary credit sources home improvement services small employer firms use to fund startup and build-out costs at this investment tier. — Federal Reserve — Small Business Credit Survey
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bath Fitter franchise cost in 2026?
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $174,000–$343,000. Service vehicles, product inventory, and showroom setup are the primary cost categories alongside the $50,000 franchise fee.
What is the Bath Fitter royalty rate?
Bath Fitter charges a 5–8% royalty on gross sales on a sliding scale based on revenue volume.
How does the Bath Fitter installation work?
Bath Fitter custom-measures each bathroom and manufactures an acrylic liner and wall surround system to fit precisely over the existing bathtub and tile. Installation is completed in one day without demolition or drywall work, minimizing disruption to homeowners.
Can I finance a Bath Fitter franchise with an SBA loan?
Yes. Bath Fitter is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. The full investment range ($174K–$343K) fits within SBA Express (up to $500K). Service vehicles and installation equipment can be financed separately.
What is the average Bath Fitter project value?
Residential bathroom liner and surround installations typically run $2,000–$6,000 per project. Commercial jobs (hotels, apartment complexes) produce higher per-engagement revenue through multi-unit batch projects.
What DSCR do SBA lenders require for a Bath Fitter franchise SBA loan?
SBA lenders require a minimum DSCR of 1.25× at stabilized project volume under SBA SOP 50 10 8. For a project-based business like Bath Fitter (average $2,000–$6,000 per residential job), stabilized DSCR is typically modeled on a 12-month forward pro forma based on realistic weekly job cadence for the service territory. Supplement the DSCR pro forma with housing stock age data for your market (the American Housing Survey shows the median US home is 40+ years old) and document any commercial accounts (hotels, apartment complexes) that contribute higher-volume batch jobs to support the revenue projection.
How much equity injection is needed for a Bath Fitter franchise SBA loan?
SBA 7(a) financing for the $174K–$343K Bath Fitter investment range requires 10–15% equity injection under SBA SOP 50 10 8 — approximately $17K–$51K in liquid borrower assets. The full range fits within SBA Express (up to $500K) for faster approval. Service vehicles financed separately reduce the main SBA loan amount and the associated equity injection required. Equity cannot be borrowed; liquid reserves above the equity injection are required to cover crew payroll and materials during the initial project ramp-up period.
Summary:
Bath Fitter franchise startup costs run $174K–$343K for a bathroom remodeling franchise that installs custom-measured acrylic bath liners and wall surrounds over existing fixtures — typically in one day, without demo.
This article is for educational purposes and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates,
fees, qualification requirements, and product availability are illustrative ranges that vary
by lender, market conditions, and individual business profile. ClearValue Lending is a
funding platform; all financing is subject to lender partner approval and terms. Always read
your contract end-to-end and verify specific numbers before signing.
