About our handyman network.

What some of our existing members say:

Money well spent, enquiries are genuine and close rate is currently 3.5/6. Team is excellent, always there to help. Not once do I regret joining it has more than paid for itself. Anybody who needs confirmation on how good it is feel free to call me anytime. Richard Clarke, Sheffield

It's good to be part of something much bigger rather than out on your own. Still your own boss but with back up! Web presence is excellent. Graham Paice, Beaconsfield.

I was a little sceptical when I joined in 2009 but within six weeks I had already made more than £2,000 in net profit from the network alone, plus many new contacts and so I have now upgraded to a full License. I like the branding. Donnie, Inverness

From the 1st few days of joining, the calls and enquiries started, as each month went by we had even more and over the years have gained a lot of regular customers, also knowledge and advice from other members through the networking forums.......well worth the outlay. Richard Cox, Chester

About the Business and about us:  We have been in the property business for more than 20 years. We have worked with Royalty, nobility and stars - to name just a few!  We have also been featured on prime-time BBC and ITV. In the figurative sense the heart of the business can be likened to a mix of "household & lifestyle management". We are primarily client based as opposed to 'call out', although most areas do offer this.

Satisfying, rewarding and offering extensive scope for growth within a high-demand sector, the beauty of the business model is that it is not restricted to one specific niche such as oven cleaning or lawn care (both of which we incorporate), rather we provide a core group of easily managed but much needed services for receptive and grateful clients -- plus you are free to supplement these with others of your own choosing.

Why franchise? Franchising provides a head start and significant ongoing advantages over your competition. Customers tend to place much higher credibility over a professional outfit which they know is insured, reliable and accountable to a Franchise compared to an unaccountable sole trader.

Heading for Civvy Street?

We particularly welcome ex-forces personnel into our franchise. Your background and skill-set are highly valued here and they give you an added advantage toward your career change. Being ex-forces myself, as are some of our members (and many of our customers!), we know it's not always easy resettling in Civvy Street, however we can assure you that our franchise is particularly well suited to your background. Our founder is an ex-Para himself.

Whatever military Service you have been in, we know that you will have the character to do particularly well. Whether you are ambitious and want to build a regional business or simply to have a local franchise we have many good areas around the UK still available in our rapidly growing franchise. You will have the full support of a good number of like-minded people!

Graduate careers.
 
We are seeking to recruit a number of graduates. We appreciate your energy, education and skill-sets, they are valued highly. You don't need to be a handyman (although it can help) as this is more about replicating a successful business model. You will need to be ambitious but your degree could be in almost any subject. Engineering, landscaping, marketing or design and the like would be particularly helpful. There is a lot that could be said here but we'd like most to meet with you in person.

Various levels of ambition.

Are you determined and highly ambitious? We have just the challenge for you!  If you have the right attributes and are seeking a career change we will allocate you a more than significant territory - and we will reserve other areas at no further cost (subject to performance). Our intention would be to work closely with you on a long term strategy and on the basis of establishing additional revenue streams. We will say about this then we meet.

Are you not quite so ambitious? No problem, we need all types to fill both large and small territories! If you want simply to work within a local area, or perhaps to "test the water" first we are happy with that. After all, our very first pilot area was established within a small community of less than 4,000 people where the Franchisee still prospers, even amongst several competitors providing similar services and almost without ever leaving the Parish. With our help he's built a good local business. The demand in the marketplace for the right people is vast and being the "local face of a national organisation" gives you credibility and a significant advantage over your competitors. You too can thrive! Where else could you find an opportunity to create a significant business with such a low investment? If you'd like the opportunity to establish a local area, either "hands on" or in a management role, we'd love to meet you.

Partnership Franchising:

Do you have someone you could partner with? Partnership or "co-operative" franchising is simply a helpful way of sharing the costs of establishing a business; adding strengths and skill-sets to the team and quite likely the ability to grow more quickly. We have particularly found this to be true with father and son teams, brothers and good friends working together.

The main differences? Intrinsically there are no operational or contractual differences between a regular franchise and a partnership franchise, however there are significant benefits - and a few possible drawbacks.  The main benefits include: - sharing the costs with other partners and/or having additional funds for increased growth rate; added skill sets and team strength, which is appealing to customers and helpful to you; the ability to cover one another; holidays or sickness for example.

The drawbacks are found simply in the fact that the value of the business (equity) and the profits have to be shared with others. However, assuming that you are likely to achieve more with a team, and more quickly, it is probable that your equity and profit share would be comparable anyway. Also leadership decisions have to be made collectively. Some people work well in this environment, others not so well. From our experience, we like them a lot!

A few suggestions about due diligence.

What to ask us and any of our competitors (or any franchisor really). We are absolutely confident in our credentials but sadly there are some copycat rogues out there! These questions will sort the chaff from the wheat:

• What real experience do you have of Franchising?
• How many operational areas do you have?
• Can I meet and speak to your franchisees; which ones ?
• What does your training consist of?
• What ongoing percentages do you charge?
• What clients of prominence do you serve?
• What experience of a pure handyman business do you have?
• How have your business model and systems really been proven?
• Is the franchise agreement fully renewable on an ongoing basis?
• What happens if I want to sell my business or to retire?
• Do you have a comprehensive operations manual?
• Do you have 'live' forums where members can assist each other?
• Is further training available on an ongoing basis?
  
  ..and to most franchisors (but not us)....
• Justify why are your fees so high, what do I get and what do you keep?

Franchise terminology.

The difference between a License and a Franchise:

A license is a good way to obtain the credibility of branding without the cost of a franchise until you know it is going to viable. We'll help you grow and then you can upgrade. The only major difference is that a License is not re-saleable or assignable.  A franchise adds value (equity) to your business through co-ownership of the Brand because it is permanent & re-saleable (it's a bit like comparing the value of a Holiday Inn to an unknown hotel or guest house, or the AA to Bob's Recovery. Which one would you trust more?!

Advertising Fee An annual fee paid by the franchisee to the franchisor for corporate advertising expenditures; usually less then three percent of the franchisee’s annual sales and usually paid in addition to the royalty fee. Not all franchisors charge advertising fees.

Agent An individual who can act on the behalf of another. An individual who acts on the behalf of a corporation and can legally bind the corporation.

Approved Products Proprietary products that a franchisee must purchase from the franchisor. Also, products that must be purchased from approved suppliers. The goal is to achieve uniform quality assurance among all franchisees.

Arbitration A process in which a neutral third party hears both sides to a dispute and renders a decision. It is an alternative to using the legal process, which can be costly, and time consuming.

Business Format Franchising The franchisee has full rights to use the franchisor's product, service and trademark. The franchisor also teaches the franchisee the entire business format including marketing, selling, inventory, accounting and personnel procedures. Furthermore, the franchisor provides support via training and communications for the duration of their business relationship. Restaurants, retail and many service businesses are business format franchisors.

Business Plan A plan that provides the objectives of a business and the steps necessary to achieve those objectives.

Buy-Sell Agreement A legal document that details the provisions under which a business may be sold.

Capital Capital is cash in checking and savings accounts, insurance policy cash values, non-IRA stocks and bonds, and loan receivables due within 30 days.

Company-owned Outlet Some franchisors establish company-owned stores or offices that, in appearance, are identical to the franchised outlets.

Conversion Franchise This is a franchise that permits existing businesses to join a national franchise system to use its recognized name and trademark and operating system.

Copyright The exclusive right of a person to use, and to license others to use, an intellectual property such as a book, pamphlet, or other published material.

Designated Supplier A supplier designated by the franchisor as the source for purchasing approved products. The use of a designated supplier for certain products guarantees the franchisor that each franchisee is providing the same product to its customers.

Disclosure Revealing facts to others. In the sense used herein, these facts may be complimentary to the franchisor or may be uncomplimentary, such as disclosing a prior bankruptcy or litigation involving the franchisor or key persons as defendants.

Distributorship A right granted by a manufacturer or wholesaler to sell a product to others. A distributorship is normally not a franchise. However, certain distributorship arrangements may qualify as a franchise, may be licensed or be adjudged a business opportunity requiring disclosure.

Earnings Claims Claims made by the franchisor as to the past performance of franchisees or to the potential financial performance of a franchisee. If given, they must be disclosed in section 19 of the UFOC.

Exclusive Continent An exclusive continent right gives you as the franchisee the right to that continent. The franchisor cannot sell other franchises within that continent.

Franchise An agreement, whether written or oral, for consideration, by which a person permits the distribution of goods or services under his trademark, service mark or tradename, during which time the grantor retains control over others or renders significant assistance to others. (This definition comes from the Federal Trade Commission.)

Franchise Agreement Outlines requirements of the franchisor and describes the franchisor’s commitment to the franchisee. Includes information about territorial rights of the franchisee, location requirements, training schedule, fees, general obligations of the franchisee, general obligations of the franchisor, etc.

Franchise Feasibility Studies Franchising can be a highly effective method of financing expansion through the acquisition of outside capital. The objective of a franchise feasibility study is to determine the degree to which a company, whether a well-established concern, a small operation of one or two units, or simply a concept that bears the characteristics of a successful franchisor, may be successful as a franchisor.

Franchise Fee A one-time fee paid by the franchisee to the franchisor to "buy into" the franchise. Generally, the fee reimburses the franchisor for the costs of initial training and support for new franchisees.

Franchisee A person or entity to whom the right to conduct a business is granted by the franchisor or licensor.

Franchising Neither an industry nor a business, but a method of doing business within a given industry. At least two parties are involved in franchising\: the franchisor and the franchisee. Technically, the contract binding the two parties is the franchise.

Franchisor A person or entity issuing or granting a franchise or license.

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment Also abbreviated as FF&E. Movable personal property used in the operation of a business.

Gross Sales The revenue before any expenses are deducted. It is the sum of all money generated prior to deducting wages, product cost, taxes, interest, etc.

Identify Items Items that display the registered trademarks of the franchisor. These items (such as paper products, uniforms, point of sale materials or exterior signs) are usually required to be used in a franchisee’s business.

Initial Investment Usually includes the franchise fee and the total investment amount including working capital required to commence operating a franchise.

Master Franchisee Describes an individual or company owning the exclusive rights to develop a particular continent for the franchising company.

Multi-Unit Franchise Franchise agreement providing franchisee with the rights to develop more than a single unit. Refer to Area Development Franchisee and Sub-franchisor.

Non-compete Clause A clause in a contract that prohibits you from entering into the same line of business for a specified time and within a specified area after you leave employment or after you terminate, sell, or otherwise leave a franchise.

Operations Manual Comprehensive guidelines advising a franchisee on how to operate the franchised business. It covers all aspects of the business, including general business procedures not necessarily peculiar to the franchised business. It may be separated into different manuals addressing such subjects as accounting, personnel, advertising, promotion and maintenance.

Product Format Franchise The ability to sell a particular companies product that does not constitute all that you sell. For example you may have a service station that sells a brand of gasoline, but you are not restricted on the other products or services that you can sell. Many times these are not true franchises, but can be considered distributorships.

Qualification Questionnaire A document prepared by the franchisor to be completed by the prospective franchise, which provides initial information to the franchisor in order to assist him in determining whether or not the prospect is capable and motivated. Often a financial statement is included in the questionnaire format.

Quality Control The method by which the franchisor enforces the rules of operation set forth in the operating manuals. Quality control involves regional coordinators visiting each franchisee.

Royalty A royalty refers to a percentage of gross sales that you pay to the franchisor monthly.

Rules of Operation (see Operations Manual) Specific mandatory rules with which every franchisee and company outlet must comply. This document will change from time to time. By incorporation by reference in the franchise agreement, violation of the rules of operations allows the franchisor to cancel a franchise agreement.

Service Mark Defined as "a mark used in the sale of advertising of services of one person and distinguishes them from the services of others." The word "trademark" is specifically associated with goods or products such as toothpaste or automobiles, whereas service marks relate to employment agencies, real estate chains and the like.

Subfranchisor A type of multi-unit franchise, whereby franchisees act as independent selling organizations that are responsible for the recruitment and ongoing support of franchisees within their given region.

Total Investment The amount of money estimated for complete set up of a franchisee’s business, including the initial investment, the working capital, and subsequent additions to inventory and equipment deemed necessary for a fully operational and profitable enterprise.

Trademark The name associated with a product (see Service Mark). Prior to federal registration, the symbol "TM" or "SM" may be affixed near the word or words constituting the mark or symbol to inform the public that it is intended that the name be protected.

Turnkey The franchisor is responsible for fully developing a "turnkey" franchise until or after, the doors are open for business.

Tying Forcing a franchisee to purchase one product as a condition to the sale of another. Tying may be illegal if the products used in the franchise operation can be acquired from other sources at a more competitive price. The product must, however, be judged "equal to - or better than" the products specified by the franchisor in terms of quality.