[Mike_G]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Management-Franchise-Business-for-Sale-Window-Cleaning_W0QQitemZ270127978312QQihZ017QQcategoryZ11762QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 

Thats a whole lot of dosh.  

[Majestic]

Yes but look what you can earn

turning over £450K per annum with £100K profit

[Helen]

accredited by leading trade organisations

To my knowledge there are only 2 independant window cleaning trade organisations in the UK and neither as far as I can find out have accredited this lot.

You see what I don't get with these francise thingies is how can you be competitive against other window cleaners when the franchisee has a cut, staff have a cut etc etc

[Clear Vision]

Quote from there website:

"We offer our clients the convenience of being able to pay online, or by standing order, or by posting a cheque, or by credit/debit card. Unlike other window cleaners, we never visit in the evening to collect money."

So what are they saying about people who collect?

 

[Helen]

Follow the links through until you get to the FAQS, and all you need on top of the £30k is another £15k and that's before you have even cleaned a window.
But don't worry the prices are across the country to the customers are apparently similar no matter where you are.

[Russell Macdonald]

I never collect, i'm to lazy  .

[Ian Lancaster]

This is for a "management franchise".  It means the franchisee isn't supposed to do the graft himself - he employs others to do it for him.

Fine, but management franchises require the franchisee to build a business made up of several sub-franchisees and takes a long time to develop.  Deep pockets are a pre-requisite.

I notice that included in the £30,000 franchise fee are "vehicles".  With all the other expenses involved in starting a business, there can't be much left for "vehicles" - how many does it envisage, I wonder?

It certainly won't include any customer base, or at least not one worth anything.

Having said that, I've no doubt the Franchisors have done their homework - the figures they quote are eminently achievable, but there's an awful lot more to it than just paying your money and drawing the profits.

Cheers,

Ian

[Clive McDonald]

I always take notice of what you say Ian, but if you don't mind me saying, on another thread ,not this one but related, you gave too much information away.

I think you've got a fabulous idea, particularly you're unique selling point, and I'M sure as with all things you do it will be succesful. Too many copycats going at it half cocked though could blight the whole thing.

I'm telling you you're giving too much away but i am also nosey. What I am curious about is your brand name, is it Ian Lancaster or something else?(you don't have to say what it is)

Again being nosey what is the cost of the legal agreements required, or are they standard across other industries and just applied to us.(ie says window cleaner instead of carpet or oven cleaner)

[Sean Leahy]

Its all very well with selling so called modern methods over trad but what happens when you need to clean inside, I see on their web site a chap wiping the inside of a conservatory roof with a dry T bar. Wonder how that works.

[Londoner]

Anybody who thinks they are going to start up in this business with no previous experience and run it as a management  operation employing staff (with all the problems that entails! ) has no chance of making a go of it. you need to know the business through and through and be able to handle the staff. Even then its a nightmare.
A lot of franchises are just a take on. A trap for the unwary

[Trevor Knight]

3 Points to make.

1) The £450k is projected on the 1st pilot franchising. Well its not hard to work out that in the early days when leads were being generated that as they had only 1 franchise then only that franchise could be given the work, hence the growth period! Lets ask them what the last franchise who joined is now turning over. Considering I work some of the areas they are promoting and have done for 15 years all I can say is I have yet to see thier vehicles about?

2) Look at the whip in this pole they are using? http://www.cleanteamltd.com/index_files/Page336.htm

3) Accredited by Trade Associations, hmmm, never knew they were a member of the APWC or the FWC, must give them a call 

[W C R Ltd]

Remember, Be honest with yourself.

One of the greatest advantages franchising offers over starting a brand new business alone is that a good franchisor will support you every step of the way. You will also have access to training and will be able to develop your skills. However, from the outset you will need to have the right abilities, personal attributes and a willingness to work hard.

Not everyone is cut out to be a franchisee and it’s important to think about your suitability before beginning your search for an appropriate franchise business. Only then can you be sure that taking on a franchise is right for you, and that you take on the right franchise.

Also always check that a Franchise is registered with the British Franchise Ass.

Regards

Nathan

[Trevor Knight]

Hi Nathan,

Franchises in the window cleaning industry are an interesting debate.

10 years ago the support and training a franchise could offer would have been worth its weight in gold as this was not available else where. Nowadays, training is readily available and help and advice is abundant in its reams. Forums such as this along with Trade Publications and Associations are available to help and give whatever advice is needed.

Lets be honest, a Franchise such as the one we are discussing is really a business which is like us all out there to make money.

What do they offer for the £30k investment?

A fitted vehicle with WFP equipment and full vehicle livery.
Training
Insurance
Company Uniform
Payment Facilities
FOC telephone Call to let the customer know your coming
CRB Checked
Risk/Method Statement
Health & Safety Policies
The team of Support - Funnily enough, not one of them has any window cleaning experience apart from the originators who have since been bought out!!! Check for yourselves http://www.cleanteamltd.com/index_files/Page762.htm
Customers


Ok, so lets compare prices:

Vehicle with Equipment and livery = Tucker supply all this for £93.13 + VAT per month over 3 years. £17,052
Training = BWCA £95 + VAT
Insurance = Howed Maxted £100,000 cover = £117.52
Company Uniform = 2 Fleeces/2 Polo Shirts/2 Vest/1 Waterprook Jacket = £100 including Printing
Payment Facilities = Paypal/Standing Order(FOC to set up)/Cheque(FOC to organise)Online(Internet Banking FOC)
FOC Telephone Call - Anyone can ring a customer, we do it all the time.
CRB Checked = £17.50 available from most County Councils
Risk/Health & Safety/Method Statements = Most Forums can provided detailed enough help FOC
Support Team = 1000's of members online on forums who are alway able to help and offer advice based on EXPERIENCE! Something the Clean Team dont have?
Customers = Canvass as normal and if not enough use WCR Ltd to build a round £3000 Investment to net £1000

Total Non Franchise Price that is your own branding and not that of a franchise = £20,382 a saving off £9,618

So really is a Franchise all its cracked up to be, well specifically speaking, this one?

[W C R Ltd]

Trevor,

That was a great breakdown of this Franchise.

It seems they are not offering anything that cannot be implemented elsewhere, but if there was something more tangible then maybe a Franchise maybe a good option for someone who is not capable of building a sustainable business model them selfs.

Trevor you mentioned that they were stating possibly the turnover and profit of there pilot franchise.

I cannot give legal advice so the following should not be taken in that way, If anyone is considering a franchise then you should strongly consider approaching a specialist franchise lawyer to look into whatever you may thik is a promising opportunity.

Always study the financial states of a few franchisees and check that that business is on the growth, otherwise there is a good chance that if it is not then maybe it will not be for you.

Now if a Window Cleaning Franchise offered a confirmed monthly client base then this should also be checked before any monies have been discussed or handed over.

If anyone would like to be put in contact with an experienced franchise lawyer then let me know.

Nathan

[Trevor Knight]

Trevor,

That was a great breakdown of this Franchise.

It seems they are not offering anything that cannot be implemented elsewhere, but if there was something more tangible then maybe a Franchise maybe a good option for someone who is not capable of building a sustainable business model them selfs.

Trevor you mentioned that they were stating possibly the turnover and profit of there pilot franchise.

I cannot give legal advice so the following should not be taken in that way, If anyone is considering a franchise then you should strongly consider approaching a specialist franchise lawyer to look into whatever you may thik is a promising opportunity.

Always study the financial states of a few franchisees and check that that business is on the growth, otherwise there is a good chance that if it is not then maybe it will not be for you.

Now if a Window Cleaning Franchise offered a confirmed monthly client base then this should also be checked before any monies have been discussed or handed over.

If anyone would like to be put in contact with an experienced franchise lawyer then let me know.

Nathan

From what Nathan mentions it all seems good advice and something to be considered if entering this market place

[Londoner]

Trevor. Congratulations that was brilliant. There is a man who knows his business. 

[Moderator David@stives]

Does anyone know what the ongoing fees are for these window cleaning franchises ?.

15-20 % maybe ?

[Londoner]

Good point, and thats for ever and ever. This just looks worse all the time. Maybe we ought to start charging to joint the forum. How about ten grand up front and 15% of your turnover for the rest of your life?  Its still better than taking out a franchise.