Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: SJB Services on December 20, 2010, 01:01:24 pm

Title: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 20, 2010, 01:01:24 pm
Does any body on here have any experience with Concept2o or have a franchise with them??

I have a meeting with them soon and just wanted to get some feedback from any of you. They seem like a really nice bunch, but wondered if anybody had seen some good success stories with them.

Coming back to WC after 14 years out-had enough of stress and aggro and making somebody else rich-just want to go to work do a job and come home again.

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: leights on December 20, 2010, 01:04:04 pm
they are not all that, only thing going for them is they are very veryyyyyyy expensive.

i know a guy with the system  and have seen it close up and had a quick go, they seem very feeble machines not very rubust and i hear thet they not been crash tested sooooooo on that bombshell
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Dave Willis on December 20, 2010, 01:12:33 pm
Nice people, lovely van set up too.
I think they agree to canvass some work for you to get you started. They will most likely show you some outstanding earnings potentials but remember they get these from well established compact rounds. Never heard a bad word about them on here.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 20, 2010, 01:28:26 pm
Does any body on here have any experience with Concept2o or have a franchise with them??

I have a meeting with them soon and just wanted to get some feedback from any of you. They seem like a really nice bunch, but wondered if anybody had seen some good success stories with them.

Coming back to WC after 14 years out-had enough of stress and aggro and making somebody else rich-just want to go to work do a job and come home again.

Thanks in advance

Not bought a franchise from them but I do believe they are owned by or have links with the owner of this forum.
Surely if you were to buy a franchise from anyone (not just Concept2o) you would actually still be helping to make someone else rich - something you state you wish to avoid.  No problem if the backup is compatible with your outlay.  If it's just van and system supplied then that needn't be a franchise.  If there is other backup such as helping to increase your workload as you go then that is worth extra.  Personally I would rather struggle a bit at first to avoid paying royalties later but it does depend on individual situations.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Alex Allen on December 20, 2010, 01:46:10 pm
Does any body on here have any experience with Concept2o or have a franchise with them??

I have a meeting with them soon and just wanted to get some feedback from any of you. They seem like a really nice bunch, but wondered if anybody had seen some good success stories with them.

Coming back to WC after 14 years out-had enough of stress and aggro and making somebody else rich-just want to go to work do a job and come home again.

Thanks in advance


is it a franchise?
i thought it was brand
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: bobplum on December 20, 2010, 01:58:50 pm
a guy based in chester as a franchise with them,  i SPARKLE is the name track him down and speak to him
the kit looks good he seems to think they give good back up,they do the accounts(i belive)
i just think for the amount of money you will spend you could get the same for half the price? as you will still need to get customers
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 20, 2010, 02:43:13 pm
a guy based in chester as a franchise with them, i SPARKLE is the name track him down and speak to him
the kit looks good he seems to think they give good back up,they do the accounts(i belive)
i just think for the amount of money you will spend you could get the same for half the price? as you will still need to get customers

Thanks lads for your feedback-part of the problem Bob is I dont know what the outlay is initially, so I cant judge at the moment if I could get a cheaper option. I will give iSparkle a tinkle though. Thanks
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Lee Pryor on December 20, 2010, 03:06:24 pm
where in the country are you sjb?
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Richard iSparkle on December 20, 2010, 03:15:08 pm
I've got a franchise with Concept 2o in Chester called iSparkle.  I'm blown away with the support and business model that i've purchased.  Excellent.  I've also started and run a successful domestic cleaning company myself, so i know a bit about how to do it, and the advantages of going with Julie and her team in Cardiff.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: james44 on December 20, 2010, 03:24:11 pm
Something is fishy here?
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Dave Willis on December 20, 2010, 03:29:10 pm
he's been asking the same question for nearly a year do you mean?
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 20, 2010, 05:08:47 pm
he's been asking the same question for nearly a year do you mean?

Im not a bandit trying to hijack the site and bring attention to them. I was under threat of being made redundant earlier in the year, hence the questions. But now stuff has got stupid coz theres only a few of us left and I'm being dumped on.

One more question, looking to door to door canvass solidly till ive got what i need(around 250 custies). As Im based in south Essex, hoe quickly do you think this is acheivable. Ta
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: bobplum on December 20, 2010, 05:27:09 pm
I've got a franchise with Concept 2o in Chester called iSparkle.  I'm blown away with the support and business model that i've purchased.  Excellent.  I've also started and run a successful domestic cleaning company myself, so i know a bit about how to do it, and the advantages of going with Julie and her team in Cardiff.

richard i spoke to your lad,is it matty,told him there may be some work for sale of another window cleaner.ideal for wfp about £1500.00 a month, i only want about £500 of it would you be intrested in the other £1000
i dont how many customers it is or frequency etc
im assuming he will want 3 times the value,£1000 x 3, i should get the list of him soon if your intrested let me know
bob
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Dave Willis on December 20, 2010, 05:30:25 pm
If you are thinking of investing in a Concept20 or anything similar then 250 customers will not cover the payment for the kit. So I assume you have a spare £25,000 + to start up with?
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Richard iSparkle on December 20, 2010, 05:59:36 pm
hey bob!

the round sounds interesting for sure.  can i give you a call later tonight about it?  i've got the little one to put to bed right now, but sounds promising...

Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: ARWindows on December 20, 2010, 06:21:41 pm
i have a concept 20 system excellent systems excellent support economical to run with lpg
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Lee Pryor on December 20, 2010, 10:54:04 pm
sjb, I would like to speak to you what is you email address?
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 21, 2010, 11:18:38 am
sjb, I would like to speak to you what is you email address?

Lee-check your in box-Ive sent you an email with my details on. Ta
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: cleantech-westmids on December 23, 2010, 07:07:34 pm
I also have a concept2o system. Hot water one also! can't fault them, brilliant setupand very cheap to run compared with diesel setups. In my opinion i'd just go for the system and not the franchise. Depends on how business savvy you are though. All the best in what ever you do.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Alex Allen on December 24, 2010, 05:27:11 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 28, 2010, 09:11:12 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.

Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 28, 2010, 09:15:56 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



BIG commitment for something you could get at a fraction of the price. You have all the support you require here for free!!!! ;)
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Scrimble on December 28, 2010, 09:18:49 pm
i cant believe there are people who would buy into a window cleaning franchise!!

35k?!!?!?

you can start up wfp with a couple of grand,
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: SJB Services on December 28, 2010, 09:42:24 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



BIG commitment for something you could get at a fraction of the price. You have all the support you require here for free!!!! ;)

Thanks mate-few questions then:

1/ Payment-how do you collect-do you have all paypal/bank transfers or collect from custys????
2/ Van lease/rent or buy???? Samll van to start or large van to grow in to???
3/ Best time to canvass-evenings or anytime???

Ta

Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 28, 2010, 10:32:20 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



BIG commitment for something you could get at a fraction of the price. You have all the support you require here for free!!!! ;)

Thanks mate-few questions then:

1/ Payment-how do you collect-do you have all paypal/bank transfers or collect from custys????
2/ Van lease/rent or buy???? Samll van to start or large van to grow in to???
3/ Best time to canvass-evenings or anytime???

Ta



Can only speak from my own experience.  Some would not agree with my answers.

1/   I receive cheques in the post and bank transfers.  Sometimes it's cash or cheque at the time of the clean.  Some on here use Paypal.  I prefer to have ways of receiving money that are free though.

2/  Personally I have always bought my vans.  No particular reason for that though.  I understand leasing is OK but there is a better advantage to this if you are VAT registered.  Probably better to buy a larger van really as a smaller one can be quickly outgrown.  My own preference is to have at least 1.2 tonne payload (usually means at least 2.9 tonne gross weight).  You can get away with less but you may find it a bit restrictive as you grow.

3/  3.30/4.00 onwards as the mums get their kids home from school.  Probably better to have a cut off point of 8 PM.  Possibly better to finish much earlier on darker evenings as some people concerned about talking on doorstep with strangers.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 28, 2010, 11:12:44 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



BIG commitment for something you could get at a fraction of the price. You have all the support you require here for free!!!! ;)

Thanks mate-few questions then:

1/ Payment-how do you collect-do you have all paypal/bank transfers or collect from custys????
2/ Van lease/rent or buy???? Samll van to start or large van to grow in to???
3/ Best time to canvass-evenings or anytime???

Ta



1. bacs, collect (only if convenient to me) but my main method is SAE.
2. Depends, on a few factors, do you have any cash? or will it all be financed?
3. I'm not your best man to ask, I've never knocked doors, I used leaflets at the beginning.


You could get set up with a cold wfp & descent van for 5k easy. add hot for between £250 - £3500.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Nathanael Jones on December 28, 2010, 11:45:37 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious


Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



Don't try to run before you're walking,..

Buy a 2nd hand cheap van,.. payload is important so go scudo size at least,.. ducato if you are comfortable driving it.
Get a cheap wfp system,.. if you're not a diy fan, pure freedom will get you kitted up for £2k
Leaflet like crazy,.. www.printmarketuk.com are very cheap. Remember leaflets do not work well first time,.. hit the same areas every 2 or 3 weeks and keep on going till you have a round.
Door knocking brings in work fastest,.. knock for 4pm till dark for best results. Knock in areas that got leaflets a couple of days before so your service is fresh in their minds.
Get a website
Get your van signwritten
Don't live to regret your pricing structure. Remember that the tax man & general business expenses will rob you of up to 50% of what you get from your custies.

Don't spend big until you have customers,.. only when the money is streaming in would you even consider a new van or expensive gear.

Get motivated,.. if you haven't work on a certain day it isn't a day off! Leaflet, knock, write letters to local schools & businesses,...

£7k MAX should get you a half decent van, system, insurance, work gear, signwriting, website & more leaflets than you know what to do with,...
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Count Phil on December 29, 2010, 04:36:34 pm
That's some top start up advice Nath. If you started with 7k like that and then spent the 28k that you were planning on spending (35k total) paying people to canvass for you as well, you could have a monster round.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Dave Willis on December 29, 2010, 05:09:37 pm
has he gone  ???
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: jsm on December 29, 2010, 06:04:34 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



you can buy my work and my nice merc vito LWB for £35 k - thats do me im retired lol
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Clive McDonald on December 29, 2010, 06:42:25 pm
Yup interesting the options for deletion might be
A if he followed through we would have a go for not following advice
B The thread was expected to throw up more positives and help sell the idea but this boomeranged
C He spoke to Lee and lost the will to live

Anyhow i've looked at a few window cleaning franchises and they do seem pretty well run to me.They do things properly and give you systems such as wcp- which yes you could figure out for yourself- but it takes months of forum reading to come up to speed.Nathaneal's advice was very good.I class the franchises as curent best practice and  pay close attention in case any gap closing is going on.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Londoner on December 29, 2010, 09:02:45 pm
My views on franchises are well known and I have upset people in the past by what I have said so I don't want to make that mistake again.

You can start window cleaning for £100 and a few Sundays knocking on doors.The only thing you need to be a window cleaner is a pulse. And the determination to succeed.

And I will leave it at that
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Alex Allen on December 30, 2010, 01:43:49 pm
so its both a system you can buy and/or a franchise

how much is the franchise? just curious

Alex, you can buy a system only for 10k-heated or the franchise is 20k which includes full support on starting up the business which is what im looking at, at the moment. Im keen, but means remortgaging for around 35k if i include vat and a few months cover for wages and veicle rent etc.



has he gone?

look to spend between 4-7k running cost mate over your 1st year
10k max for set up, thats including your 1st van

Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: edward1 on December 30, 2010, 06:39:09 pm
hi sjb ,
depending on where you are in essex i may be able to help you .
give me a call.email me and ill send you my number .

i think i saw you a few weeks ago cleaning windows on broomfield rd? im sure it was sjb , i stopped and had a look as i thought it all looked a bit caotic.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Lee Pryor on December 30, 2010, 06:51:33 pm
Yup interesting the options for deletion might be
A if he followed through we would have a go for not following advice
B The thread was expected to throw up more positives and help sell the idea but this boomeranged
C He spoke to Lee and lost the will to live

Anyhow i've looked at a few window cleaning franchises and they do seem pretty well run to me.They do things properly and give you systems such as wcp- which yes you could figure out for yourself- but it takes months of forum reading to come up to speed.Nathaneal's advice was very good.I class the franchises as curent best practice and  pay close attention in case any gap closing is going on.

Haha very funny!  ;) in fact he did speak to me making it even more funny! nice guy. I advised him that the amounts he was looking to pay were way to high than he needed. The reason I wanted to speak to him was that I am franchising my business from the new year and am in the process at this time. No i wasnt trying to sell him one of mine as mine will be local to me only to start with. I just wanted to compare for the price what was in the package. I hope he didnt loose the will to live after speaking to me haha
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Clive McDonald on December 30, 2010, 07:28:40 pm
I apologise for that, and hoped it wouldn't annoy you, but it seemed too good a gag not to slip in.You took it well.

I was one of the people vince once annoyed.He was convinced i was an undercover franchise person because i was in favour.

This thread is a puzzle, to have spoken to you he must be genuine, but in that case why delete?

Good luck with this Lee, if you get good quality people you will both do well. I believe the ian lancaster model where he provides the work is more than fair. I'd sooner earn seven hundred a week working for you than half that fannying about and scratching my head.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Lee Pryor on December 30, 2010, 08:03:51 pm
I apologise for that, and hoped it wouldn't annoy you, but it seemed too good gag not to slip in.You took it well.

I was one of the people vince once annoyed.He was convinced i was an undercover franchise person because i was in favour.

This thread is a puzzle, to have spoken to you he must be genuine, but in that case why delete?

Good luck with this Lee, if you get good quality people you will both do well. I believe the ian ferguson model where he provides the work is more than fair. I'd sooner earn seven hundred a week working for you than half that fannying about and scratching my head.

do you mean Ian Lancaster? if so he has been a big help to me along with john willan, both sucesfull franchisors. My franchisees will get a marketing campaign of 120,000 leaflets to get their customers and all the incoming calls from those leaflets handled by a call centre. they will also be expected to door knock themselves 10 per week to full fill my business model. I can also say my franchise fee will be nearly half the price of the concept one which does not include any marketing.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Clive McDonald on December 30, 2010, 08:17:13 pm
This sounds a more realisable project than your other one.You need a bit of luck with the first couple of guys you get.

If you need a critical eye, you may have noticed i do like to critisise.So if you want holes picked in your business plan and marketing material, or even need to improve on the business plan you suggest for the franchisee, i'd take a look.
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Lee Pryor on December 30, 2010, 08:46:42 pm
my other project is still going ahead mate, you might say im a busy man
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 30, 2010, 09:15:54 pm
my other project is still going ahead mate, you might say im a busy man
your still 3years behind gumpybuster ;) ;)
Title: Re: Concept2o Franchise
Post by: Clive McDonald on December 30, 2010, 09:26:13 pm
I gave lee a chance. I was keen to learn too.I'm sure he'll thrive without my input.