PuroClean eyes Reno market for two franchises

A Florida company has targeted the Reno market as it looks to expand its network of franchised property-damage restoration businesses.

PuroSystems Inc. of Tamarac, Fla., believes the Reno-Sparks market could support two of its franchises, which work to restore damage caused by water, fire and mold.

Monty Smith, vice president of franchise development of PuroSystems, said the company looks at the insurance agents affiliated with nationally-branded companies as well as the size of the restoration market when it determines how many of its PuroClean franchises a market might support.

In the Reno-Sparks area, the company estimates the total fire and water restoration market at $10 million a year.

PuroClean has about 300 franchised locations nationwide, but Smith said a majority of them are east of the Mississippi. The company has targeted Nevada, Arizona and California for franchise growth in coming months.

Franchise owners often have backgrounds in sales or business management, and Smith said the company has seen a growing number of inquiries from business people who want to create their own businesses as shelter from economic storms.

Start-up costs for a PuroClean location range from $68,325 to $93,315, the company says.