How long does it take to open a Voda franchise?

What happens before you sign?

Signing comes at the end of a research process, not the start. Candidates have an intro call, review Voda’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), talk with Voda’s leadership and current owners, map their territory and attend Discovery Day.

How long that takes depends on you: how quickly you read the FDD, how many owners you want to speak with and how your financing comes together. The one fixed point is that you must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign anything or pay Voda (2026 FDD, cover page). Beyond that, there is no reason to rush it. The questions you answer now are the ones that matter most later, and our FAQs are a good place to start your list.

What happens in the 75 to 120 days after signing?

The launch period follows a set order. Here is what fills those weeks:

• Certifications. You need three industry certifications before Voda’s initial training: Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Fire and Smoke Remediation Technician (FSRT), and a mold certification (AMRT or CMR).
• Training. Immersive initial training at Voda University covers restoration, cleaning, equipment, documentation and running the business.
• Setup. Owners buy or lease a van, order equipment, and set up a small office and their software.
• Hiring. Most owners start lean, with 2 to 3 employees: technicians, including a lead technician, and office support. Hiring is your responsibility: Voda does not provide assistance with hiring or training your employees (2026 FDD, Item 11).
• Launch. Launch marketing goes out, and Voda’s U.S.-based call center is already answering the phone when you open.

Because the certifications come before training, they are one of the first things to get on the calendar after signing.

Why do some locations open faster than others?

The range exists because no two launches line up the same way. The FDD names the usual factors: completing initial training, financing, your van, equipment and supplies, licenses and permits, and hiring (2026 FDD, Item 11). You must order your van within 30 days of signing and open within 180 days (Item 11), so early van orders and certification dates help.

If you plan to use an SBA loan, it helps that Voda is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory; approval depends on the lender and your qualifications. Our page on how to pay for a restoration franchise covers SBA loans, 401(k) rollovers and Benetrends, Voda’s preferred financing partner.

What should I plan for while the location gets ready?

A few things are worth planning ahead for, beyond the checklist itself:

• Working funds. The estimated total investment for one territory is $209,394 to $379,608, including the $59,500 franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7, as amended November 10, 2026). That estimate includes additional funds for the first three months. See what a Voda franchise costs for the full breakdown.
• The first months of fees. The minimum royalty is $0 a month in months 1 to 4, then steps up to $500 in months 5 to 12, $1,000 in months 13 to 24 and $1,500 after that (2026 FDD, Item 6).
• Time away for training. Initial training runs about one week, roughly 40 hours of classroom and 24 hours of on-the-job instruction, at Voda’s headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, or another location Voda designates (2026 FDD, Item 11). Item 7 includes travel and living costs while training.
• Your current commitments. If you are still employed, think through how training, hiring and setup fit around your job, and raise it on your intro call.

What happens after opening day?

Opening is a starting line, not a finish line. Every location works with a Franchise Success Coach, with regular check-ins, and the Voda Playbook app lays out the steps with checklists and procedures. Local marketing, including Google Local Services ads, brings in emergency calls, while scheduled carpet and upholstery cleaning keeps crews busy between emergencies.

If you are coming from outside the industry, our page on owning a restoration franchise with no experience explains how owners get ready, and the Voda podcast episodes tell the story of how the brand grew to 118 owners and more than 300 awarded territories.

Ready for the next step? Check whether a Voda territory is open near you or book an intro call with our franchise development team.