Franchiser Loads Up for ‘Golden Age of Remodeling’

Garage Living opened multiple new franchise locations, including in Australia.

TORONTO — Analysts say the years between 2020 and 2030 may be remembered as “the golden age of remodeling.” That’s because 3.7 million more U.S. homes may reach the age they typically need renovations. The number of homes between 20 and 39 years old may increase to about 24.2 million in 2027, up from 20.5 million in 2018. This means lots of bathrooms, kitchens, and garages need remodeling.

To accommodate, one of North America’s leading garage renovation companies is expanding. Garage Living has opened eight new franchise locations in the second half of 2023, including two in Australia. This brings the company’s total franchise count to 38 sites in the U.S. and 47 overall, including locations in Canada.

Garage Living opened locations in Richmond, Virginia; Columbus, Ohio, and Ottawa, Ontario, in June. The company followed that with two more openings in July in Boston and London, Ontario. It’s ending the year by adding sites in Oklahoma City, Melbourne, Australia; and Sydney.

“The needs of our aging housing stock are only getting more pronounced,” said Aaron Cash, Garage Living’s president of franchise systems. “That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about adding these new branches to our growing family tree. We know each franchise owner will use their business experience and passion for renovations and construction to deliver Garage Living’s custom solutions.”

• Chase Schmidt, the site owner in Richmond, Virginia, brings over 20 years of construction industry experience to his role — from building homes from the ground up to executing renovations in residential and commercial properties.
• Brian Schepman has over 20 years of experience in finance that he’ll use to oversee Garage Living’s Columbus, Ohio, location.
• Ryan Waterman is a veteran of the garage transformation industry, having successfully operated his own company, Ottawa Garage Makeovers, before opening the Garage Living location in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Rich Cunningham is no stranger to Garage Living’s success. He already owns Garage Living of Connecticut and Ed’s Garage Doors. He now adds Garage Living-Boston to his resume.
• Todd Hynes, the owner of Garage Living’s London, Ontario, location, has established himself as an exceptional and driven executive with over three decades of experience in the Canadian financial services sector.
• Drew Arthur brings expertise in franchising and a passion for cars to his ownership of Garage Living Australia.
• Mark Lenhart delivers a wealth of experience, primarily in office management, to his leadership role with Garage Living-Oklahoma City.