From Contractor to Franchise Pioneer: Lessons in Scaling Historic Wood Rot Repair
The journey from a hands-on contractor to the founder of a fast-growing, purpose-driven franchise is filled with unexpected turns, mindset shifts, and crucial lessons. Ty McBride, founder of the Preserving franchise system, has blazed a trail in the wood rot repair and home services industry, proving that restoration—done right—can be both deeply meaningful and highly profitable. Through his story, entrepreneurs in the trades can glean valuable insights on building, franchising, and leading for both profit and purpose.
The Humble Beginnings: Family, Construction, and a Work Ethic Forged in the Field
For Ty, construction was a family affair. His grandfather was a home builder, and Ty’s earliest jobs were unglamorous: hauling debris and cleaning up tornado-ravaged job sites in Oklahoma City. There was no nepotism—just a wheelbarrow and a strong back. The message was clear: learn the value of hard work, then go discover your passion.
Despite a detour into school and sales, Ty found himself feeling unfulfilled in the corporate world. When he approached his father—now running a roofing business—Ty was told, “If you want to work with me, you need to make your own job.” This sink-or-swim encouragement sparked Ty’s return to the trades, initially selling and installing roofs.
But working with his equally strong-willed father proved challenging, and after a few years, Ty filed his first LLC in 2015 with a completely different vision: historic home restoration, and, more specifically, the painstaking art of restoring wood windows and doors. At first, his family was bemused—did people really pay for such a niche service?
Discovering the Demand: The Missing Link in Historic Home Services
Ty’s early projects in historic restoration revealed a powerful market force: homeowners with older homes, fiercely loyal to their property’s character, struggled to find contractors who respected their homes’ integrity. Too often, windows and doors would be ripped out and replaced, rather than repaired or preserved. Ty recognized the values of preservation and community were deeply important to his clientele.
Armed with his marketing background, he committed to serving this demographic, performing “sidewalk surveys” and engaging with neighbors to truly understand their unmet needs. The seed was planted: build a business that values preservation, craftsmanship, and service—not just quick fixes.
The Light Bulb Moment: From Wood Shops to Scalable Repair
Initially, Ty emulated others in the historic restoration scene—big wood shops, artisan techniques, lots of heavy equipment. It looked impressive…but the numbers didn’t add up. The overhead ate away profit, and aspiring YouTube fame didn’t pay the bills.
The pivotal moment came when a friend of his father requested a repair on a modern window plagued by wood rot. Ty initially quoted a full custom replacement; the client accepted a $12,000 bid without hesitation, only for Ty to later realize he could’ve fixed the issue for a fraction of the price—and with far less hassle, using simple epoxy techniques he already possessed.
This incident forced a re-evaluation:
- Preservation wasn’t just for the antique; it was for anything worth saving.
- Profitability didn’t have to mean complexity.
- Scale was possible if services were simplified and repeatable.
He began designing a business focused on targeted, value-added repairs—chief among them, wood rot repair—delivering exceptional financial returns and customer satisfaction without massive overhead.
The Franchise Mindset: From Craftsman to System Builder
Learning from the E-Myth: Systemize for Replication
A mentor handed Ty a copy of “The E-Myth,” and the core message resonated: don’t just run a business—build a business that can run without you. For franchising, this means:
- SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are mandatory.
- Services must be simplified, streamlined, and teachable.
- Every component must be executable in any city, by operators who aren’t artisans but are driven and trainable.
Ty realized he didn’t have to teach someone to be a master carpenter—he had to create a system that worked with ordinary materials and processes, allowing for consistent, high-quality results at scale.
Redefining the Franchise Owner: The Surprising Face of Success
Perhaps counterintuitively, Ty’s most successful franchisees aren’t seasoned contractors. In fact, prior construction experience was almost a negative. Why? Experienced contractors often want to do things “their way,” making it hard to replicate systems. Instead, Preserving’s franchisees are often business-minded professionals from fields like sales, marketing, and tech—many holding MBAs.
These franchise owners bring:
- Strong business acumen
- Willingness to follow proven systems
- The discipline to maintain processes and profitability
Today, 40% of Preserving’s franchise owners have MBAs and zero construction background. They approach the work as scalable entrepreneurship, not as a personal trade, and leverage Ty’s systems, support, and branding to quickly find success.
The Nuts and Bolts of Franchising: What Most Contractors Get Wrong
Legal Framework: The Foundation of a Scalable System
A major pain point for would-be franchisors is the legal complexity. Early on, Ty wasted time and money on the wrong advisers and DIY attempts at creating franchise agreements. It wasn’t until he connected with an experienced franchise attorney familiar with home services that his business was truly ready for growth.
Key lessons:
- Don’t DIY your franchise legal docs. Specialized franchise law is complex and highly regulated.
- Understand the FTC disclosure requirements, such as Item 19 (Financial Performance Representations). The more you can legally disclose about franchisee profitability, the easier it will be to sell franchises with confidence and integrity.
- Systematize everything, from service offerings to financial disclosures, before launching your franchise push.
Unit Economics: Profitability Over Ego
It’s tempting, Ty observes, to focus on image over efficiency—big trucks, sprawling offices, and expensive equipment. Instead, Preserving optimized for unit economics: how do you make each service vehicle as profitable as possible?
- Started with the humble Kia Soul, then transitioned to Ford Mavericks for their size, versatility, and fuel efficiency.
- Kept business models lean, avoiding unnecessary overhead so that franchisees could profit quickly and expand easily.
- Focused on “boring” businesses with consistent, repeatable demand rather than chasing flashy trends that are hard to scale.
The Franchise Candidate: Business Mind First, Craftsman Second
Old stereotypes die hard, but the facts are clear: the most successful franchisees are not the ones who’ve spent decades on ladders, but those who see the bigger picture. Ty directly targets non-contractors who are hungry for business ownership, have experience managing teams or projects, and understand the power of following a playbook.
The trade has become attractive to white-collar professionals seeking stability, profitability, and a legacy business they can grow or eventually sell. The “boring business” appeal—predictable revenue, reliable customer demand, and a recession-resistant niche—is exactly what savvy acquirers are seeking.
Avoiding the Biggest Mistakes in Home Services Franchising
Ty identifies four critical mistakes that trip up most home-service brands attempting to franchise:
1. Underestimating Legal Complexity
Relying on generic franchise agreements or advisers unfamiliar with home services can doom a network before it starts. Engage an expert, and get the legal architecture right the first time.
2. Ignoring Perfect Franchisee Profiles
Targeting contractors like yourself feels intuitive, but it leads to inconsistencies and system challenges. Instead, pinpoint the entrepreneurial operator who values business systems above craftsmanship.
3. Failing to Nail Your Financials Before Scaling
Without a history of strong profitability—ideally netting at least 20% after franchise fees—your concept won't appeal to sophisticated buyers, and you’ll struggle to support operational needs.
4. Neglecting the Reality of Running Two Businesses
Once you franchise, you’re no longer just a contractor—you become a coach, marketer, and supporter of franchisees. Both the original (prototype) business and the franchise network need dedicated attention. You may not have time to do both, so plan for leadership or partnership in either lane.
The Future of Franchising in Home Services
The U.S. housing stock continues to age: the average American home is now over 40 years old, and there’s not enough new construction to keep up. The opportunity for repair, restoration, and preservation is bigger than ever—and so is the demand for systems that can meet that need at scale.
Current trends:
- Market Saturation: Some areas (like painting and window washing) are crowded. True success requires a differentiated approach, solid branding, and a unique go-to-market strategy.
- Home Services Dominance: Anything keeping homes safe, sound, and beautiful is on the rise.
- Sophisticated Ownership: As private equity and MBA-level talent target “boring” businesses, expect rising competition—and more consolidation—but also more professionalism and better systems.
- Purpose-Driven Growth: A clear mission and values aren’t just nice to have; they’re a differentiator. Homeowners care—and so do the best franchisees.
Unlocking Purpose and Profit in the Trades
Perhaps the most powerful message in Ty’s story is the blend of purpose and profitability. Preservation is more than a service—it signals respect for homes, communities, and resources. By aligning operations and franchising with those values, you attract not just customers, but passionate partners.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Franchise Founders
Know Your “Why”
- Build around a genuine mission—customers and franchisees alike will sense authenticity.
- Preservation, sustainability, or community engagement can be compelling platforms if delivered with integrity.
Systematize Ruthlessly
- If it can’t be taught, it can’t be franchised. Cut the artisan services and focus on those that are reliably repeatable.
- Standardize vehicles, tools, and methods for maximum scalability and profitability.
Target the Right Talent
- Seek franchisees who excel at leadership, growth, and following systems—not just technical skills.
- Offer robust training, marketing, and support.
Disclose and Document
- Get your legal, financial, and operational framework air-tight before you scale.
- The more transparency you provide, the easier it is to sell (and support) franchises and protect everyone involved.
Focus on the “Boring” Business
- Value is found in reliability, predictability, and recurring need—not in flashy trends.
- The boring businesses often become the most lucrative.
Building Legacy in the Trades: Final Thoughts
The trades are changing, becoming more attractive to diverse, business-savvy entrepreneurs. With the right systems, support, and mindset, skilled entrepreneurs can create generational businesses that go far beyond the founder’s own hands.
By focusing on scalable systems, exceptional profitability, and a genuine mission, Ty McBride demonstrates that you can start on a muddy job site with a wheelbarrow, and end up leading a national movement—one that respects the past, serves communities, and builds lasting wealth for everyone involved.
Whether you’re a contractor dreaming of growth, a would-be franchisor, or just passionate about home preservation, the lessons from Preserving are simple: Respect the craft, build your systems, know your numbers, and never forget your “why.” The future of home services—and franchising—is in the hands of those willing to build for both profit and purpose.
