David Reid Homes:
David Reid
Do you see the trend towards more and more Australian households outsourcing home-related tasks continuing, or from a franchising point of view will the market eventually reach saturation?
Today’s society has changed remarkably since our parents’ day. Retail is now seven days a week, most families seem to have double incomes and children are driven everywhere (rather than the old pushbike of our era). So in essence time is one of the most important ‘factors’ for home-related tasks being outsourced. I don’t see this changing. The more home-related tasks available for us will directly transfer into more demand for product. Will it ever reach saturation point? I don’t believe so – at least not while our population continues to grow and demands on our time increase.
How in your view have the needs of franchisees changed since you commenced operating, and how have you accommodated these?
I don’t think the needs of franchisees have changed in the 12 years we have been operating. What has changed is franchisor delivery, particularly relating to professionalism in delivering a proactive, seamless support system. At David Reid Homes we have remained at the leading edge by investing heavily in IT and key people. We have our own dedicated servers which house plans, documents, takeoffs, three-dimensional images and, importantly, are a means of communication throughout the whole network. We have a website second to none and are constantly evolving new plans and business systems to support our franchisee network.
What are the key factors that differentiate your franchise from that of your competitors; i.e. how do you most effectively meet the needs of your customer base?
David Reid Homes is a custom home build company that specialises in designing and building unique homes for the discerning client. Through our business model we emphasise service and quality and limit the number of builds per year a franchisee can undertake. This gives our franchisees time to personalise and create a relationship with our number-one priority – the client. Referral business is our life blood, so with that in mind all builds must be in our clients’ eyes “an exciting and rewarding project with little or no stress”.
Other advantages include such industry firsts as
l A 12 month maintenance period
l A home owner’s manual, outlining building expectations and detailing the build process, along with warranty details
l A 10 year warranty period.
What are your expansion plans for the future; i.e. where do you envisage the company being in five years?
David Reid Homes is well underway in Queensland and we have appointed a territory director for New South Wales. We are currently interviewing potential territory directors for Victoria and Tasmania. With DRH it is about getting the support infrastructure right first. Firstly we appoint the territory directors, who are the 24/7 mentors to our franchisees, then we begin the process of finding the right franchisees. The right franchisee is not necessarily a builder. More often than not it is a businessman. We have found that it is generally much easier to teach a businessman to run a building company than it is to train a builder to become a businessman. Of course, there are always exceptions, with one of our top three franchisees being a converted builder.
Within five years DRH would expect to have coverage throughout Australia.
What are the key benefits of investing in a David Reid
franchise?
l You will buy into an established brand and system.
l You will enjoy the training, backup and support of the franchisor.
l The company and brand has now been in the market and proven for a very long time and increasing demand has prompted the franchising opportunity now being offered.
l You will enjoy the instant credibility of becoming part of the team of a high profile, award-winning building company.
l Instant access to not only all the concept plans but also access to all plans in the DRH database.
l You will remain at the leading edge of a home construction company others frequently try to emulate.
l We will provide events for you to attend that will keep you motivated and provide access to resources that as a single builder you may never obtain access to.
Franchise purchase cost: $200,000 plus GST
Queensland enquiries email Brett Maddren
brett@davidreidhomes.com
NSW enquiries email Martin Barnes
martin@davidreidhomes.com
Other regions email David Reid
david@davidreidhomes.com.
The Duster Dollies:
Julie Finch-Scally
Do you see the trend towards more and more Australian households outsourcing home-related tasks continuing, or from a franchising point of view will the market eventually reach saturation?
In 1989 I discussed the home service industry with a relative and predicted that soon there would be an ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ situation, but the ‘downstairs’ workers would be hired to come into the home to do the jobs. Since then the home service industry has grown rapidly, but only a few people realise the money that can be made. Will it ever reach market saturation? I don’t believe so, because eventually even the home service workers will want the service, and as each generation gets older it will be their expectation that people will come and service their homes.
How in your view have the needs of franchisees changed since you commenced operating, and how have you accommodated these?
Franchisees’ needs, I don’t believe, have changed in recent years. They all still want to make a living from their franchise and they need to know what return they will get from their investment. Maybe the expectations of their franchisor have become more critical, but the duty of the franchisor is to give their franchisees service – the same way as they expect their franchisees to give service to their customers.
What are the key factors that differentiate your franchise from that of your competitors; i.e. how do you most effectively meet the needs of your customer base?
This year we were the winners of the Cleaning & Maintenance Services & Supplies award. Customer service is given by our agencies by quoting houses prior to the clean, training our contractors in The Duster Dollies’ house cleaning system, and introducing the cleaner to the house they are to clean. We also look after our contractors by awarding them merit certificates for outstanding performance and giving them incentives. I believe The Duster Dollies is the only cleaning organisation that does this.
What are your expansion plans for the future; i.e. where do you envisage the company being in five years?
In five years it is envisaged The Duster Dollies will be ready to start up agencies in other western-style countries. Our system is suited to these areas. There is a desire to set up the agency system in Asia but there will need to be some changes. The ‘live in help’ situation that is currently used in Asia can be adapted to suit our agency system, but a different structure will need to be formulated.
What are the key benefits of investing in a Duster Dollies franchise?
When you become a franchisee of The Duster Dollies you join a family of keen and caring people who enjoy communication and don’t mind cleaning when necessary. The main part of our agency’s business is administration and scheduling work for contract cleaners. Duster Dollies franchises are only $22,000 – a small cost to start a business. All new franchisees are trained in The Duster Dollies system and learn how to quote and clean a home. With the right input a Duster Dollies business should be earning a reasonable income within two years.
Kwik Kerb:
Ross Hibberd
Do you see the trend towards more and more Australian households outsourcing home-related tasks continuing, or from a franchising point of view will the market eventually reach saturation?
In Kwik Kerb’s experience people are spending more money on home improvement and they are also more sophisticated, expecting a wider range of quality options to use. Outsourcing home-related tasks will continue to increase, especially as ‘baby boomer’ needs and disposable income increases, rather than decreases. Kwik Kerb Continuous Concrete Edging is a specialist product and because it incorporates good looks along with functionality, it is becoming more and more popular around today’s gardens. The demand will feed the supply. It is a perfect time and both new and old Kwik Kerb operators are making an excellent income.
How in your view have the needs of franchisees changed since you commenced operating, and how have you accommodated these?
New business owners today are wanting more independence and control over their business and their life. Kwik Kerb is not a franchise but a ‘franchise style’ business, and as such it accommodates this want very well. For example:
l We do not charge a royalty or advertising fees or any other type of fee.
l Kwik Kerb is a business that is purchased and owned outright by an operator, giving them total control.
l Kwik Kerb operators keep all the profit they make. There are no ongoing fees.
l Kwik Kerb operators can make their own choices. They may choose to add equipment or other services or choose to operate anywhere. They are not locked into what could be a permanent and debilitating choice. They are agile and positioned to adjust quickly as the marketplace dictates.
What are the key factors that differentiate your franchise from that of your competitors; i.e. how do you most effectively meet the needs of your customer base?
Kwik Kerb is Australian-owned and Australia’s only national Continuous Concrete Edging business. Kwik Kerb began in 1987 in Brisbane and now operates worldwide. It started the kerbing industry and is at the forefront of innovation and continues to make additions and refinements to its machines and equipment. We offer Kwik Kerb operators independence and a desirable lifestyle and firmly believe our business is the frontrunner of Continuous Concrete Edging.
What are your expansion plans for the future; i.e. where do you envisage the company being in five years?
Kwik Kerb is constantly looking into many overseas markets, testing the water to see if the operation would be effective in those markets. To date each country we have visited has welcomed us with open arms. In addition to Australia and New Zealand, Kwik Kerb is also in Canada, South Africa, Great Britain, United States and many other countries. We are now looking into France and South East Asia and as these markets demand that certain needs be met, we will adjust to fulfil those needs. All up, we anticipate an exciting future for Kwik Kerb.
What are the key benefits of investing in a Kwik Kerb franchise?
A new ‘Kwik Kerber’ has to be trained in all aspects of the Kwik Kerb business and will receive the full support of Kwik Kerb management, the Kwik Kerb marketing department and the benefit of Kwik Kerb forums that are held regularly around the country. Further information can be provided when potential franchisees contact us either by phoning 1800 773 231 Australia-wide or via the internet at www.kwikkerb.com.au or kkinfo@kwikkerb.com.au. It is important to note that the cost of purchasing a Kwik Kerb Continuous Concrete Edging business differs depending on the elements franchisees choose.
Hitman:
Donna Ross-Teigan
Do you see the trend towards more and more Australian households outsourcing home-related tasks continuing, or from a franchising point of view will the market eventually reach saturation?
According to industry experts, the concentration of pest technicians is currently particularly low in major cities throughout Australia. As a result, it is unlikely that the franchise market in pest management will reach saturation as long as there is continued growth in residential and commercial markets and urban living continues to become more concentrated.
How in your view have the needs of franchisees changed since you commenced operating, and how have you accommodated these?
Hitman has been in business for 10 years and it has only been in the last year that it has started franchising the business. A franchisee’s biggest concern will always be how they will source work and whether they will obtain enough to provide a good living. As such, we decided to do things differently to many other franchise companies. Indeed, a Hitman franchisee does not need to find their own work – the company finds it for them and then guarantees $100,000 profit in the first year. Hitman does this because we have 100 percent confidence in our ability to obtain new clients and retain existing business.
What are the key factors that differentiate your franchise from that of your competitors; i.e. how do you most effectively meet the needs of your customer base?
Hitman likes to stand out in the market place, and does this by providing a unique package to clients. Unlike other companies, we charge a set price of $198 for any size house for the internal and external treatment of cockroaches, silverfish, ants and spiders and give a full 12 month service period on all such pests. We also include a free visual termite check and freeze the price for any client having their pest treatment annually. And, of course, we also use the distinctive red Chrysler PT Cruisers, which have proven to be a great hit with clients.
What are your expansion plans for the future; i.e. where do you envisage the company being in five years?
The plan over the next five years is to expand the business locally to include the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. We will cap franchises at 20 and continue to supply work to franchisees and their employees. However, we will sell master franchises in other major cities in Australia, the first of which, Sydney, will be up and running by June 2006.
What are the key benefits of investing in a Hitman franchise?
Cost of a franchise is $164,000 for a single licence or $220,000 for a multiple licence which gives the franchisee the ability to employ three additional operators. These costs include a Chrysler PT Cruiser, all equipment, full training, as well as a wage of $600 per week during the training period, plus start-up stationery and chemicals.
For more information contact Noel Scully on 1800 1800 43 or visit www.hitman.com.au.
Rent The Roo
Do you see the trend towards more and more Australian households outsourcing home-related tasks continuing, or from a franchising point of view will the market eventually reach saturation?
Our Rent to Own Giveaway contracts can be applied to any product on the Australian market. This has been developed to avoid any possible market saturation. It also means that products that may only apply to some demographics can be marketed accordingly.
How in your view have the needs of franchisees changed since you commenced operating, and how have you accommodated these?
Franchisees are what they are because they need a high level of support. Franchising is all about building relationships and maintaining a high level of care. This can only be achieved by regular and open communication between the franchisor and franchisees. Franchise systems generally break down when people stop talking to one another and compromise the relationship.
What are the key factors that differentiate your franchise from that of your competitors; i.e. how do you most effectively meet the needs of your customer base?
There are two main points of difference with our franchise offer. Firstly, we have developed an investment system called ‘Passive Franchise’. This gives our master franchisees access to capital to purchase stock and also provides further income from upfront and ongoing royalties. Secondly, as a consequence of having capital from private investors instead of other finance providers, we have the flexibility to ‘do all things new’, applying our Rent to Own Giveaway contracts to any product of the customer’s choice.
What are your expansion plans for the future; i.e. where do you envisage the company being in five years?
Our vision over the next five years is to develop nationally using our model master franchise in the Sydney metropolitan area to attract and train applicants. Our system has also been developed to allow flexibility in demographic sizing of each master franchise area. This allows the possibility of state-owned master franchises as well as regional and more locally based operations.
What are the key benefits of investing in a Hitman franchise?
Master franchise offer:
1. An exclusive marketing territory of approximately 100,000 households.
2. A 10 year plus10 year agreement with fixed renewal fee.
3. You receive $15,000 plus GST for every new Passive Franchisee developed in your territory.
4. You receive a 40 percent plus GST of gross income operational fee from Passive Franchisees in your territory.
5. You receive a 25 percent plus GST establishment fee on all reinvested and additional funds from Passive Franchises.
Master franchise investment:
1. Office set-up $6,535
2. Master franchise fee $50,000
3. Minimum stock purchasing facility $50,000
4. Advertising $20,000
5. Sign written vehicle $35,000
(Available on monthly lease of approximately $800 per month)
Total $161,335
GST $16,133.50
Total amount payable $177,468.50
Rent The Roo can be contacted via the franchise office in Yass NSW on (02) 6227 1277 or email renttheroo@bigpond.com.au. l
11-Jan-2006