Living and working in regional New South Wales has given Bill Arnold what he describes as a great lifestyle. Bill is a multi unit franchisee with Hotondo Homes.

Before buying the franchise Bill had run his own building company and had to put in very long hours to keep it on track. Now he’s no longer wielding the hammer and nails as well as doing the paperwork, and he’s happy.

“Moving into the franchise has changed my lifestyle completely,” he reveals. “I’m healthier and feel better within myself. Being off the tools has helped with health and fitness and I can spend more time up the river with the kids fishing and in the boat.

“The best thing about the franchise is that when I close the office door at the end of the day I can leave work there and head home for family time. Business hours are business hours when it comes to dealing with the public, because that is when we are open.”

He explains that his two franchise territories don’t compete.

“Not competing makes it easier to attract new business because the brand is so strong now. A lot of new business has come through head office’s national marketing fund efforts but you obviously still have to do your own local area marketing.”

One of Bill’s tips for a fellow builder looking to invest in a regional franchise is to be diligent.

“I say this because everyone knows everyone in small towns. We get about 50 percent of our building work through referrals.”

Last year Bill won the Hotondo Homes Volume Builder of the Year award for the 42 homes built across both franchise territories, Griffith and Leeton, and he’s previously been named the franchise chain’s National Builder of the Year twice.