Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Franchising

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Don't waste your time and money. Look at the uglys. They only sold 2. Roof cleaning is easily searchable and someone can get into it for less than a 1000 dollars.

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Not worth it like Mike said to easy to get into.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Franchises need branding to make them worth paying a fee to become part of,..There isn't any roof cleaning company or power washing company that is branded this way. Mostly the people who know these business's by name are us. Where as everyone knows McDonald's Burger King etc...

Best you could hope for is a small branch from a local seasoned well reputed business. But it will never be branded nationwide.

Like Eric said,..anyone can do it,..All that is needed is a little drive,.. a little money,..and you will be there right beside the "franchise" with the same amount of recognition,..without the initial costs and franchise fees.

Jeff

Fred W · Guru

I'm new to roof cleaning but not new to business......I definitely respect Mike and Eric but still think it would be worth looking at.

I disagree that the business can be started for less than a grand....respectively. I mean I can buy a pump up sprayer and a bottle of bleach then call myself a roof cleaner for under $10. I can buy some bread, lunch meat and so on and make you a sandwich but most customers will know I'm not a real deli.

There are many businesses that have an even lower start up cost yet are franchised. From maid services to roofing contractors to painters and beyond. It more depends on what you have to offer and what you're willing to do for the franchise partner.

As an example I will pick on "the uglys". I don't know enough about the guy and not saying anything bad about him BUT.......When I first looked at roof cleaning I contacted him about buying his skid. I was ready to pop for his $3999.00 investment or whatever it was. Sure, that's not a ton of cash but it's the point. I liked the look of the skid but was simply not going to pay the outrageous price of other skids with nothing else except the skid being included.

He did nothing to sell me. He would not give me any details on what I would get in the skid or territory or training or anything.......so it really is a no wonder he flopped.

The odds of success may look weak on the surface but if done right could be a gold mine........there is enough talent here to join a few heads and put something together that would work.

Art....if he is serious, why not open another office without the "franchise".....if all works out then jump to the franchise.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Tell it like it is guys. I think this question was dealt with before and if i'm not mistaken, Bill Booz nailed it.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thanks for letting out the secret Art!

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Have fun trying to franchise this business. The costs would be outrageous to do it right.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

The only chance a business could be a viable model that others would be willing to pay for would be if you come up with an alternative to liquid hypo,..that works as well as liquid hypo,..and only you had access to. Otherwise, we'll just all keep doing it with readily available products and business names that are all basically on an equal scale.

Jeff

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

As a former franchise owner (RE/MAX office), I think a franchise situation is destined to fail in the cleaning industry. A true franchisor should be getting a little piece of every transaction that franchisee does. To me it just seems like it will be very easy for fraud on the franchisee part to take place. Why would they report every transaction? Also, on the part of the franchisor, you're selling two things 1) proven business system ( be it equipment, method, or name brand) 2) and the ability of send the franchisee business via name recognition, advertising, etc.

I see where a "network" with a subscription fee would be more successful at this than a true franchise in this business.

I think something like Ac's Softwash Systems is the closest thing out there to a national format that could be viable, but ever SWS is going to take years to grow before the strength of is name has national impact. But even there, I don't think it would work as a true "franchise".

william morris · Exterior Cleaner

Art I work part time in the winter for a Chem -Dry Carpet cleaning co Chem-Dry charges $19500 per 100.000 people territory plus U are are required to purchase their chems they even check u by calling a home owner telling them would u like your carpets furniture cleaned free then ur called out to do an estimate you then proceed to start then bam were from corp office we need to check your truck etc. any way Ac at SWS has the best gig going but free enterprise give you the right to put your offer out there. I think it could be done but not on a residual % agreement. One lump sum buys you the opportunity.

Dunrite · Veteran Member

I have a friend that has a franchise in Brooklyn called Superior Fleet Wash

They have some nationwide accounts (Fed Ex, UPS and a few others) which they give you with whatever territory you buy

Its around 20k for a territory plus a 6% kick on every dollar earned. There's also an annual fee i believe

All equipment and chems must be bought through their vendor. Theres a week training at their HQ's etc

His agreement is very detailed in any work he gets outside whats given to him he MUST pay the 6% kick or jeopardize his franchise

From what i hear if you have a good territory you do pretty good with the accounts you get

My buddy is trying to get out

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

If Stanley Steamer can do it for carpets, it could also be done for exterior cleaning. If I was to buy, let's say, a pizza franchise. I would buy for the easy turn key operation, the national recognize, the training and operating systems already in place, along with the phone ringing the day the doors open.

Not much different than any other franchise. You would need to have training and operating systems laid out. You would need to create a near perfect script. But the big one is getting the phone to ring. If you're going to franchise on a national scale you need to advertise on a national scale. You would need solid branding to create the household name, like Stanley Steamer. Advertising nationally will cost millions. This is where investors come in. If you can sell your busines model to sharp investors, it will probably be somewhat of a success.

I had my carpets cleaned last year. I tried like hell to hire local unfranchised businesses with no luck. I called Stanley Steamer. They gave me a quote on the phone for $250. They came the same day. They upsold the chit out my wife. In 2 hours they walked away with $425. I was happy with the service.

-- Edited by Ed Thompson on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 08:26:43 AM

Dave O · Retired Member

I know of a local exterior wash franchise. They've been around for a while and they seem to do ok. I also know they create their own competition as some of their franchisees eventually break off and start up their own company.

Fred W · Guru

Ed Thompson wrote:
I had my carpets cleaned last year. I tried like hell to hire local unfranchised businesses with no luck. I called Stanley Steamer. They gave me a quote on the phone for $250. They came the same day. They upsold the chit out my wife. In 2 hours they walked away with $425. I was happy with the service.

I like up-sells......:}

I'm probably getting an up-sell 80% of the time and it's where we make money. Sell the roof a bit cheap then up-sell the chit out of the wife.........but always with a great value.....

Just sold a roof cleaning for $560 then up-sold the project to just north of $2000. The clients are ecstatic and so are we.
Their house will shine when we walk away!

Dunrite · Veteran Member

Rolling out a franchise model is very different than becoming a franchisee

Those Pizza turn key franchises are awful. I know a guy who owned 3 Dominos who sued to be released from his agreement because of all of the restrictions

They are all pretty much like that- Certa Pro approached me a few years back about getting in and now they are dropping like flies too

I agree though as a Franchisor an Exterior Cleaning Model could work but would take a huge undertaking and money

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Dunrite wrote:

Rolling out a franchise model is very different than becoming a franchisee

Those Pizza turn key franchises are awful. I know a guy who owned 3 Dominos who sued to be released from his agreement because of all of the restrictions

They are all pretty much like that- Certa Pro approached me a few years back about getting in and now they are dropping like flies too

I agree though as a Franchisor an Exterior Cleaning Model could work but would take a huge undertaking and money

And TIME..especially nationally. Regionally would be easier,..but how many can you sell regionally? How much money does someone want to risk trying to make more money on a national level,..competing against us regular guys, who will kill you on pricing most likely,..Just ask my local "Roof Poo" guy. I could walk into a any establishment and ask 100 people if they ever heard of "Roof Poo" and I can almost guarantee 100% wouldn't even know what their service provided,..aside from maybe deducing it due to the name. And I think they're a franchise?? We're simply contractors,..you don't see national lawn care, or national general carpenters.

The other problem is simple,..we aren't doing anything with specialized detergents,...everything we do is available right here for the learning. IF you had a recipe all your own that wasn't readily available to everyone you would possibly have a chance.

*I seen a Spray and Regret commercial on t.v yesterday,..advertising roof cleaning, along with other moldy areas.

Jeff

Dunrite · Veteran Member

Well Said Jeff

Take the Certa Pro Model

They advertise heavily in my area via radio- They pay a 6%-7% vig on every job they get

They must buy all equipment, paint, products through them-at inflated prices, similar to any other franchise-total control

They offer no Propriety secret to their industry that i couldn't perform

I would think that would be the same with an Exterior Cleaning business franchise model

However you will always have people looking for a dream paying for the support, turn key model

AC Lockyer · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I've never seen it work, Seen many come and go! That is why we don't do it. I like being able to say that you can buy our services a-la-cart. Take what you want, leave what you don't. Puts the responsibility to keep the client happy back on me and not on a contract.

AC

Dave O · Retired Member

My wife want to buy into a Tom and Chee restaurant franchise we saw on Shark Tank. Stop in and show your NSWA badge and she'll give you a discount wink

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
We're simply contractors,..you don't see national lawn care, or national general carpenters.

Jeff

There are several........TruGreen pop's into my mind right off, same with Home360

It would really need to start regional then go national.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

For those interested and want to invest we are setting up "Hank's Franks" here in the Poconos. The true home of dirt water dogs.

Hank

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
Jeff Wible wrote:
We're simply contractors,..you don't see national lawn care, or national general carpenters.

Jeff

There are several........TruGreen pop's into my mind right off, same with Home360

It would really need to start regional then go national.

Ok, Although I was thinking mowing and trimming,..I agree with TruGreen ,.. Never heard of Home360's here,..but there are numerous franchises that aren't on a national scale.

Can't comment on Home360,..but I have a feeling TruGreen applicators are licensed to spray their chemicals,..So that sets them apart from just anybody doing it. Our service is a pick and do it on the side type of business, which gives no incentive on buying into someone elses name.

Why not just do it if you're so sure it will sell?

Jeff

Dunrite · Veteran Member

My thoughts on franchising are pretty simple- if you can do it without "buying In" you don't need to franchise

Selling Hot Dogs, mowing lawns is not exactly rocket science-There are no Proprietary secrets

Ive seen a lot of people buy into stuff- especially Hamburgers that doesn't differentiate from anyone else

Once these franchises have you you are subject to all their protocols

Most ideas can be researched and done on your own

Just my 2 cents

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
Can't comment on Home360,..but I have a feeling TruGreen applicators are licensed to spray their chemicals,..So that sets them apart from just anybody doing it. Our service is a pick and do it on the side type of business, which gives no incentive on buying into someone elses name.
Why not just do it if you're so sure it will sell?
Jeff

Agreed.....they probably do carry a license to spray but getting a license to spray isn't the catch in their business I would bet. It's the platform, business model, training and so on.....and now of course the name recognition.

I think in order to be successful you would need a "real" training package, formal safety guidelines, skid, marketing package, chem support package and so on.

Yes, I really believe a franchise model would work......my problem = Lack of years in this business and of course.....Cash, moola, dinero............:}

I do think some of the respected veterans of the business could make a fairly quick go of it. I don't think a name like "A. Oliveri" would work or even a name like "Cajun Soft Wash". I do think a name like "Spray Wash", "Liberty", "Dunrite" and so on could work though.

I also think you could launch with as little as $50,000 though I think having $100 would be the right starting number. You don't need the national or even regional recognition to grow the brand. Taking Tru-Green and Home360 as the examples:

Tru-Green had to start somewhere, they appear to be profitable and they are now a national brand with national recognition. Home360 is regional but growing and could easily become a national brand.......all they do is "fix stuff".........not many tools needed to compete with Home360....hammer, duct tape, tape measure and a pencil......no chems, pumps or brains required........:}

Dunrite · Veteran Member

Doug

What information could you (or anyone) provide that a newbie couldnt find on his own?

What benefit would someone have by buying into a Roof Cleaning franchise or Pressure Washing Franchise

Forums like this and Vendors like Paul & Bob provide everything a new guy would need

Fred W · Guru

Mike,

Waxman (Hank) said above......

"For those interested and want to invest we are setting up "Hank's Franks" here in the Poconos. The true home of dirt water dogs."

Anyone can jump on the internet and read all about making hot dogs and selling them.....so why in the world would anyone ever buy into Hanks Franks? Yes, people can get info on anything and they can start almost anything on their own. Some people just choose to go with a ready made system.

The same can be said about McDonalds. Before they became a household name why would anyone buy their franchise when they could easily make burgers. McDonalds had a working model....something to follow. Take Dan's recent post where he says he shot 100 roof's in a month. Dan obviously has a "working model". He could mentor and teach and people would buy.

I'll give another example......AC Lockyer has a website, training and skids. He also has sales collateral and so on and people are buying it right now. He even has his own product line. He could have franchised out and people would (and I submit "are") buying into his system based on his old company "Mallard".

So.......why would anyone buy any franchise?

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I do get the question " are you a franchise" about every two weeks from customers, and for good reason... From day one I designed my stuff to look polished and corporate. I wanted to look bigger than I was.

Fast forward 4.5 years... I'm happy right where I am. I still kick around growing to the next level, but know that brings a whole new host of headaches. I'm guessing if I grew more the next 100k per year I did would only net me about 15%.

There are certainly pros to being a member of a franchise... Namely the opportunity to get more business, and have instant rapport built with customers. I just wonder how long and how much investment it would take a franchisor before they captured real market share.

Dunrite · Veteran Member

I just think you can accomplish so much more on your own

I was referring strictly to Franchising which most of them limit you

A business model and franchising are 2 very different things-there is so much much more into a franchise

Most are not as simple as you would think-monthly sales% givebacks, vendor requirements, equipment specs, it goes on and on

I wont comment on the Softwash system only to say its not for me

Yes- i would like to try a Hanks Dirty Dog

Softwash Australia · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Hi guys. Its been a while but this is a great topic and one I am sure we all either get asked or consider that bigger picture every now and then.

My take is that it is possible to Franchise an Exterior Cleaning or Roof Cleaning business model. And yes you need to get a national approach or certainly state or territory recognition and that takes some serious development, time and money.

Alternatively if you could strike a national deal with say a large aged care provider or child care service, network chain that had the content of property to make it viable then you would be able to Franchise or Licence areas to operators and take your 5% or supply product or systems. This would be the best way forward in my opinion.