A Coeur d’Alene couple has opened a franchise operation of TruBlue Inc., which offers home maintenance and minor repairs. 

The franchise, TruBlue of North Idaho, serves Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Athol, and the surrounding areas, says Brian Espinoza, who owns the franchise with his wife, Stephanie.

The business specializes in household repairs, cleaning services, yard work, seasonal services, special projects, and minor home renovations.

Espinoza has 20 years of experience as a hotelier. 

The Espinozas bought the franchise in August for $44,900 and have based the business at their home. The couple have hired two maintenance-and-repair technicians and are currently hiring for the housekeeping side of the business.

“It all made sense that I should bring my passion for serving people and the need in taking care of peoples’ biggest investment—their home,” says Espinoza.

TruBlue Inc. is headquartered in Cincinnati and has over 60 franchise locations across the U.S.

The company can take on smaller projects, something not all contractors are willing to do, says Espinoza.

Small projects range between $180 and $200 and require a two-hour minimum of work. For larger projects, the business will take on jobs that last five or six days.

TruBlue is committed to serving a large area, says Espinoza.

“What we’re finding is that a lot of people in the outskirts of the city can’t find anybody to help them because nobody wants to go out that far,” says Espinoza, whose workers will drive an hour or more for jobs.

TruBlue also specializes in aging-in-place services for senior citizens. Since 2001, the 65-and-older population has more than doubled in North Idaho, growing to over 32,000 in 2019 from 14,000 18 years earlier, according to previous reporting by the Journal.

Aging-in-place safety modifications that can be performed by TruBlue include handrail installation and removal, zero-entrance tub and shower installations, doorway widening, doorknob replacements, keyless doorway systems, wheelchair ramp installation and removal, switch and outlets access modifications, and fixing walkways and home entrances.

TruBlue also offers a program for seniors called House Care Plus, in which the business provides cleaning services, light plumbing, attic and basement services, and seasonal work, including snow removal, putting up Christmas lights, and lawn maintenance.

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