Franchise FAQ
Franchising with Topside Attic Insulation means operating under The Haven Standard: written prices before work starts, documented evidence after it ends, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise on every job. These are the questions we hear most from prospective owners.
Common Questions
What experience do I need to open an Topside Attic Insulation franchise?
We look for people who have managed teams, sold to homeowners, or run a service business, but no insulation background is required. Our training covers the building science, the equipment, and the documentation systems. What we can’t train is the discipline to put a price in writing before anyone lifts a tool, which is Haven Standard Clause 1 and the entire reason we exist. If that feels like a burden rather than a selling point, this isn’t the right fit.
What is the total investment range?
Total initial investment typically falls between roughly $150,000 and $300,000, depending on your market, real estate costs, and equipment package. That range covers the franchise fee, vehicles, blower-door and spray-foam equipment, initial inventory from our approved material list, and working capital for the first months of operation. We will give you a written breakdown of every dollar before you sign anything, because the first standard we hold our franchisees to is the one we hold ourselves: have it in writing.
Is financing available?
We can connect you with third-party lenders who work with franchise buyers, including SBA-approved financing programs. Topside does not provide direct loans or guarantee any financing outcome. Most of our franchisees combine a conventional or SBA loan with their own equity, and we walk through the typical capital structure during the discovery process.
What territory or exclusivity do I get?
Each franchisee receives a protected territory defined by ZIP codes and population density, sized so the local market supports one strong operation without cannibalizing another owner. Territory size depends on housing stock, income profile, and existing construction activity in your metro area. We would rather see one owner do exceptional work in a defensible territory than three owners competing for the same attic.
How long is training?
Initial training runs approximately four to six weeks, split between classroom building science, field time with an experienced crew, and back-office work on quoting, scheduling, and our photo documentation system. You will run a blower-door test, watch air sealing done properly on top plates and can lights, and learn how to read the before-and-after numbers well enough to explain them to a homeowner in plain English. Wes Okafor, our owner and lead building envelope technician, still teaches portions of the technical training personally.
What ongoing fees or royalties do I pay?
We charge a royalty based on a percentage of gross sales, plus a modest technology and brand fund contribution. The percentages are published in our Franchise Disclosure Document, and we encourage you to read every line of it with a franchise attorney. There are no hidden fees, no surprise charges for the scheduling software, and no revenue targets that trigger additional payments. You will know the entire fee structure before you sign.
How long does it take to open?
Most franchisees open their doors within four to six months of signing the franchise agreement. That includes territory finalization, site selection for your warehouse or shop, equipment ordering, training, and the hiring of your first crew. Markets with slower permitting or commercial lease timelines can push toward eight months. The limiting factor is almost never training; it’s finding the right space and the right people.
What ongoing support does Topside provide?
You get a dedicated operations coach, national buying power on materials from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, Rockwool, CertainTeed, Icynene, Demilec, and GreenFiber, and access to our scheduling and photo documentation platform. Our support team answers the phone, reviews your blower-door reporting, and helps troubleshoot when a job goes sideways. What we do not do is run your business for you; the trucks are yours, the license is yours, and the neighbors are yours.
Who is the ideal franchisee?
The ideal owner is someone who wants to build a real local business, not license a logo. You should be comfortable quoting a price in writing and standing behind it. You should care about documentation, because our entire brand promise is evidence: photos of what we found, before-and-after blower-door readings, and a written warranty on every job. If you have run crews, sold to homeowners, or managed a P&L, you are further along than most. If you have ever cut a corner and felt fine about it, this is not the place for you.
What is the next step?
Call our franchise sales line at (218) 261-7714 and ask for the Franchise Disclosure Document. We will send it, you will read it, and then we will talk. We do not do high-pressure discovery days or countdown deadlines. The FDD contains the real numbers, the real fees, and the real obligations, and we would rather you take the time to read it than rush into something you have not fully examined.
Still Have Questions?
The quickest way to get answers is to call our franchise sales line at (218) 261-7714 and speak with a live person. If you prefer written communication, submit the form below and we will respond by the next business day with the information you requested.