Clean It Up
UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: rsheridan on May 20, 2008, 12:26:46 am
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I came across this site by accident whilst doing some research into starting a Commercial Cleaning Company from scratch- what a mine of information - wow!
However I would like to ask members if they have any views re: Dublcheck Franchise? The fees seem rather 'over the top' but of course they do guarantee a level of turnover and net profit and of course a proven system to follow. My reckoning is that cleaning can't be THAT difficult and it maybe far more beneficial in the long run to start my own company. I do have some previous experience of running a printing company. However I know nothing whatsoever about cleaning but am willing to learn. Any advice from members would be very welcome.
Rob 8)
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Think you will find a lot of info on here regarding franchises and i believe most people are against the idea (i may be wrong) I personally dont see the point in a franchise that is so easy to set up yourself.
Chris
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Hi
Welcome to the forum,, you will find a massive amount of help & info on here.
I have had a franchise before (non cleaning) they turned out to be a nightmare.
I set up my cleaning biz for £50 (including biz cards, materials, sales lit & insurance)
I knew nothing about cleaning.
I did a couple of jobs each months, around the £250 mark for the month, then on the 3rd month I turned over £2200. If it hadn't happened within the 3 months I gave mtself I was going to give it up.
That was almost 5 years ago, average turnover for me is around £35,000, loads of guys on here turn over a lot more than me.
I do mainly EOT cleaning with some carpet cleaning as well, obviously invested more than £50.
With the cost of paying for a franchise you could of taken a few courses (carpet cleaning, trauma cleaning, fire & flood, Mould remediation etc) and have a fully equipped van on the raod and no monthly fee to pay.
What if you have a quite month or few, you still have to pay the franchise fee, it can add a lot of unneeded pressure.
Regards
Martin 8)
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"My reckoning is that cleaning can't be THAT difficult"
Good luck in your new venture R Sheridan.
Keep playing the lottery just in case !
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Cleaning isnt difficult!...its the people you deal with that can be! ;D you dont say which side of commercial cleaning your looking to go in to.
Chris
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Thank you for the replies Martin, Chris & Kevin and the welcome ;D
The area of commercial cleaning I would like to focus on in the beginning Chris is Office Cleaning - If you have any useful advice or tips I would be very grateful
Rob
PS As for dealing with difficult people, well I'm used to that! :D
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You say they guarentee you an income.? To what level?
Who's going to do the cleaning?, employing staff can be a nightmare?
What the net profit after overheads?
The company you mention are selling regional licenses, why is this, carn't they get enough franchisees across the UK so are looking for another income stream?
Ask for a list of past franchisees, not current, its the one who have left that will tell the truth.
What happens if you have no work?
Commercial cleaning is cut throat, some companies are going in at £8.00 cleaning rate. Think long and hard.
If you build it yourself, it will be at your pace, not at a pace to cover your fees, overheads and wages. Don't be a busy fool.
Regards
CATMAN
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Rob
Cleaning is a science to a point ;) you could try Bics they do courses.
You don’t bill the customer the franchisor dose then you wait and wait and wait plus phone calls then you wait, any work you get belong to them so dose billing ;D
Catman
You still about ;)
Len
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Thank you for the replies Martin, Chris & Kevin and the welcome ;D
The area of commercial cleaning I would like to focus on in the beginning Chris is Office Cleaning - If you have any useful advice or tips I would be very grateful
Rob
PS As for dealing with difficult people, well I'm used to that! :D
I do office cleaning, anywhere from £12.50-15 p/h. You have to do it out of hours either early moring or late at night.
Regards
Martin 8)
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Rob
Cleaning is a science to a point ;) you could try Bics they do courses.
You don’t bill the customer the franchisor dose then you wait and wait and wait plus phone calls then you wait, any work you get belong to them so dose billing ;D
Catman
You still about ;)
Len
Thanks Len
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Rob
Not a problem you can still wait for customer to pay you. ;D
Martin
Don’t forget bank holidays customer has to pay for this. ;)
Len
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Hi Len
Well, probably at the start it may not require BH's but obviously as he gets busier (hopefully) then he will of course have to take that into account.
Regards
Martin 8)
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Hi
When me and my wife started out we went with a company called global cleaning (BIG MISTAKE) - now we're trying to get out of the last 2 contracts of theres. We've managed to get 5 of our own contracts in which we're doing really well with and there's a chance of getting another one on the way. We sent out a high impact flyer out to a few of the local businesses and got a call within 1-2 days ;D -now we're starting a data base up of all businesses in the darlington area in which we are getting them out of the yellow pages and the thompson directory and compiling them onto office exel -- why pay a company £500 plus for the info when you can do it yourself. Once a week we send out 20 letters to companies from our data base starting from A TO Z which will take us a few months to get through but it will be worth it i the end as it should pull in lots more work. once we have got through all our data base we will start all over again. As we get bigger we will do other areas of the north east and add more data bases which means more work - this might be something to think about for yourself to do. ;)
STAY AWAY FROM FRANCHISES
YOUR BETTER OFF RUNNING YOU OWN BUSINESS
Paul
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with all the Cleaning Companies out there why would an office engage a New Cleaning Company that has not cleaned any Offices before?
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The best thing to do is ask some one off the forum if you could go around with them for a week to see whats involved and at least you'll know what you're getting your self into then. When advertising to companies dont tell them that you have never cleaned before this way you'll get a few clients under your belt - if you tell them that you have never cleaned before you will get nothing..
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with all the Cleaning Companies out there why would an office engage a New Cleaning Company that has not cleaned any Offices before?
And why not? if the present company they were using didn't offer good service or a good job! If everyone took that kind of attitude no new businesses or competition would ever start up!!
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Hi
When me and my wife started out we went with a company called global cleaning (BIG MISTAKE) - now we're trying to get out of the last 2 contracts of theres. We've managed to get 5 of our own contracts in which we're doing really well with and there's a chance of getting another one on the way. We sent out a high impact flyer out to a few of the local businesses and got a call within 1-2 days ;D -now we're starting a data base up of all businesses in the darlington area in which we are getting them out of the yellow pages and the thompson directory and compiling them onto office exel -- why pay a company £500 plus for the info when you can do it yourself. Once a week we send out 20 letters to companies from our data base starting from A TO Z which will take us a few months to get through but it will be worth it i the end as it should pull in lots more work. once we have got through all our data base we will start all over again. As we get bigger we will do other areas of the north east and add more data bases which means more work - this might be something to think about for yourself to do. ;)
STAY AWAY FROM FRANCHISES
YOUR BETTER OFF RUNNING YOU OWN BUSINESS
Paul
Thanks for the good advice Paul
Rob
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The best thing to do is ask some one off the forum if you could go around with them for a week to see whats involved and at least you'll know what you're getting your self into then. When advertising to companies dont tell them that you have never cleaned before this way you'll get a few clients under your belt - if you tell them that you have never cleaned before you will get nothing..
Thanks for for that - good idea
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with all the Cleaning Companies out there why would an office engage a New Cleaning Company that has not cleaned any Offices before?
And why not? if the present company they were using didn't offer good service or a good job! If everyone took that kind of attitude no new businesses or competition would ever start up!!
That was my question ? Why should they use you ? OK the other company was rubbish therefore i am going to employ a Company with a Pedigree
I am just asking how are you going to overcome this?
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with all the Cleaning Companies out there why would an office engage a New Cleaning Company that has not cleaned any Offices before?
And why not? if the present company they were using didn't offer good service or a good job! If everyone took that kind of attitude no new businesses or competition would ever start up!!
That was my question ? Why should they use you ? OK the other company was rubbish therefore i am going to employ a Company with a Pedigree
I am just asking how are you going to overcome this?
Well let me turn the question round and ask you how you overcame it - since you are listed as a 'clean up God'! You obviously have a welath of great knowledge and fantastic ideas¬ shall look forward to hearing from you
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Hi
Guys, we all started knowing either nothing or very little.
My very first job was for an LA, went in blind (didn't know about work orders) and then the landlord refused to pay, I almost gave up there and then, but promised myself to give it 3 months.
No one has to know that Rob has never cleaned before and he doesn't have to tell them, why should he commit cleaning hari kari?
Rob, as per my email, go in, intro yourself, and go to the next one and follow the pattern I outlined in my email, it's a little nerve racking for the first couple and then after that you're fine. once you finished reward with a coffe & cake at some outdoor cafe, you have just started self employment.
Pricing, go in at around £12.50-15 p/h, consumables charge per item (although I usually supply bin bags if they don't have.
You have my number, will welcome a call anytime.
Regards
Martin 8)
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Hi
Guys, we all started knowing either nothing or very little.
My very first job was for an LA, went in blind (didn't know about work orders) and then the landlord refused to pay, I almost gave up there and then, but promised myself to give it 3 months.
No one has to know that Rob has never cleaned before and he doesn't have to tell them, why should he commit cleaning hari kari?
Rob, as per my email, go in, intro yourself, and go to the next one and follow the pattern I outlined in my email, it's a little nerve racking for the first couple and then after that you're fine. once you finished reward with a coffe & cake at some outdoor cafe, you have just started self employment.
Pricing, go in at around £12.50-15 p/h, consumables charge per item (although I usually supply bin bags if they don't have.
You have my number, will welcome a call anytime.
Regards
Martin 8)
[/quote
Many thanks Martin for your positive and encouraging response - I hope you have a great weekend and no doubt we will be chatting in the near future.
Regards
Rob
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I know someone with a dublecheck franchise who does very very well.
He has some quality work and employs quite a few staff.
All he seems to do is drive round all day checking on staff
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Please take it from me DONT EVEN LOOK AT A FRANCHISE!! I was with one and lost everything because of them. After walking away from the Franchise (with a lot of threats from them I may add) I since found out over 1000 Franchisees have been through there network in 20 years!!!!, and with the 100 odd franchisees on ther books when I left less than 12 were making a profit. Anyone who lasted over a year were either up for sale or just waiting for the end of thier contract to walk away. My advise is invest your money in good training and equipment and do it yourself. Believe me there is no secret to it like the franchises make out, Just work hard and most of all be proffesional
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I know someone with a dublecheck franchise who does very very well.
He has some quality work and employs quite a few staff.
All he seems to do is drive round all day checking on staff
Dave - Thanks for that - are you still in touch with this person? If so I'd like to have a chat
Rob
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Please take it from me DONT EVEN LOOK AT A FRANCHISE!! I was with one and lost everything because of them. After walking away from the Franchise (with a lot of threats from them I may add) I since found out over 1000 Franchisees have been through there network in 20 years!!!!, and with the 100 odd franchisees on ther books when I left less than 12 were making a profit. Anyone who lasted over a year were either up for sale or just waiting for the end of thier contract to walk away. My advise is invest your money in good training and equipment and do it yourself. Believe me there is no secret to it like the franchises make out, Just work hard and most of all be proffesional
Very interesting story Atlantic - thanks for sharing
Rob
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How does a franchisor make money?
1. By charging for you to use their name. This can cost up to £100,000 but less for the smaller franchises.
2. By charging you for them to get you business. Mainly you'd pay 3x the monthly revenue and the contract still belongs to the franchisor (more of that in a while).
3. You get charged a % of the turnover (not profit) on every £ invoiced.
4. Some franchisors can even tell you what vehicles to run, which chemicals to use etc. Guess who gets a % off the manufacturers for this? You'll need to buy their t shirts, tabbards etc too and it will cost more than if you go direct to a local supplier.
Going back to the buying of contracts for a moment. Just think about this for a minute, you may be given a nice contract worth say £2,000 a month. This could cost you £6000 to buy. Now imagine that the customer makes a complaint about something your cleaner hasn't done. It's easy for the franchisor to simply say, "We'll change the franchisee" and then go and charge another £6000 off someone else. A fantastic revenue stream, encouraged by the franchisor.
Here's another little ruse used on a massive scale. You agree to 'buy' a certain amout of business (which is paid for up front) and this is 'guaranteed to be offered' before a certain date. So for argument sake, lets say you have gone in to a franchise and they are going to offer you £14,000 of monthly business before September 2009. Great, you think, a £1000 a month of business to control, easy. Erm....this is what can and often does happen. The franchisor has a big contract in your area, or a number off smaller 'national accounts' lets say WH Smiths (again for arguments sake). In the first week of starting business you could be offered 3 stores starting in a week with a revenue of £5000 per shop.
Wow, you think thats brilliant. Then you start working out that you'd need 3 x scrubber dryers, lots of vacuums, mops and buckets etc etc and the first months payroll will be around £8,000 with no guarantee of the customer paying before the next payroll of another £8,000.....can you afford that. Can you control it, can you be on site enough to get this right, to manage the staff. Can your cash flow cope?
Now after careful consideration, you decide its too big / can't be afforded and turn it down. Guess what? You've been offered your £14,000 up to September 2009 and now the franchisor has up held their obligation to you and lets say the franchise is over 20 yrs. They now have the next 20 yrs to get you the £14,000 a month of business!!!!!! You're screwed.
From a franchisors point of view, the more you do this, the less the obligation to get business in a timeframe, therefore less sales reps needed, less cost for them...and they already have your money.
Do your homework properly if you fancy a franchise. Now what I have explained above is what a certain franchise did (and what I had to do) when I worked for them. Things may be different (for better or worse now) so ask the questions.
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How does a franchisor make money?
1. By charging for you to use their name. This can cost up to £100,000 but less for the smaller franchises.
2. By charging you for them to get you business. Mainly you'd pay 3x the monthly revenue and the contract still belongs to the franchisor (more of that in a while).
3. You get charged a % of the turnover (not profit) on every £ invoiced.
4. Some franchisors can even tell you what vehicles to run, which chemicals to use etc. Guess who gets a % off the manufacturers for this? You'll need to buy their t shirts, tabbards etc too and it will cost more than if you go direct to a local supplier.
Going back to the buying of contracts for a moment. Just think about this for a minute, you may be given a nice contract worth say £2,000 a month. This could cost you £6000 to buy. Now imagine that the customer makes a complaint about something your cleaner hasn't done. It's easy for the franchisor to simply say, "We'll change the franchisee" and then go and charge another £6000 off someone else. A fantastic revenue stream, encouraged by the franchisor.
Here's another little ruse used on a massive scale. You agree to 'buy' a certain amout of business (which is paid for up front) and this is 'guaranteed to be offered' before a certain date. So for argument sake, lets say you have gone in to a franchise and they are going to offer you £14,000 of monthly business before September 2009. Great, you think, a £1000 a month of business to control, easy. Erm....this is what can and often does happen. The franchisor has a big contract in your area, or a number off smaller 'national accounts' lets say WH Smiths (again for arguments sake). In the first week of starting business you could be offered 3 stores starting in a week with a revenue of £5000 per shop.
Wow, you think thats brilliant. Then you start working out that you'd need 3 x scrubber dryers, lots of vacuums, mops and buckets etc etc and the first months payroll will be around £8,000 with no guarantee of the customer paying before the next payroll of another £8,000.....can you afford that. Can you control it, can you be on site enough to get this right, to manage the staff. Can your cash flow cope?
Now after careful consideration, you decide its too big / can't be afforded and turn it down. Guess what? You've been offered your £14,000 up to September 2009 and now the franchisor has up held their obligation to you and lets say the franchise is over 20 yrs. They now have the next 20 yrs to get you the £14,000 a month of business!!!!!! You're screwed.
From a franchisors point of view, the more you do this, the less the obligation to get business in a timeframe, therefore less sales reps needed, less cost for them...and they already have your money.
Do your homework properly if you fancy a franchise. Now what I have explained above is what a certain franchise did (and what I had to do) when I worked for them. Things may be different (for better or worse now) so ask the questions.
Thanks for your story Happyeater - very interesting reading - may I ask was the Dublcheck franchise?
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No someshing very similar though.
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Hi
I have two contracts left with global and i'm trying to get out of them but if I quit now it will end up me owing them money, about £3000. I have my own contracts and want to keep on with them and get rid of global altogether as their a bad Franchise to work for. if only I joined cleanitup before i joined them I wouldnt have gone for them. only wish i could get out - I've already told them that I want to stop the contracts BUT they said they have to get someone on to take over before I ca get out of them and that was 4 months ago, seems as if they are dragging there heels. >:( >:(
Paul
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Hi
I have two contracts left with global and i'm trying to get out of them but if I quit now it will end up me owing them money, about £3000. I have my own contracts and want to keep on with them and get rid of global altogether as their a bad Franchise to work for. if only I joined cleanitup before i joined them I wouldnt have gone for them. only wish i could get out - I've already told them that I want to stop the contracts BUT they said they have to get someone on to take over before I ca get out of them and that was 4 months ago, seems as if they are dragging there heels. >:( >:(
Paul
Thanks Paul
Can I ask you how much research you did with the franchisor and indeed with the cleaning business as a whole before you signed up?
Rob
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Hi
we did non - we saw an ad in the local newspaper and decided to go for it - more fool me :-[
After signing up with them I decided to try and get a couple of cotracts of my own - we were alraedy employed as cleaners for a national company and had been cleanig for them for over 10 years and decided to go i it alone. Now we have left the national cleaning company, we now have two global contracts and 7 of our own contracts plus a small window cleaning contract ad on top of that we hace just got a monthly floor cleaning contract at a fashion shop in a shopping centre. The idea now is to get rid of the global cleaning contracts as we dont bget much for them and try and get more of our own.
Paul
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Hi
we did non - we saw an ad in the local newspaper and decided to go for it - more fool me :-[
After signing up with them I decided to try and get a couple of cotracts of my own - we were alraedy employed as cleaners for a national company and had been cleanig for them for over 10 years and decided to go i it alone. Now we have left the national cleaning company, we now have two global contracts and 7 of our own contracts plus a small window cleaning contract ad on top of that we hace just got a monthly floor cleaning contract at a fashion shop in a shopping centre. The idea now is to get rid of the global cleaning contracts as we dont bget much for them and try and get more of our own.
Paul
..Are Global part of the British Franchise Association Paul?
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The BFA are in existence to promote franchise businesses and get their fees from....go on have a guess.
So do you think the BFA have any teeth? Thought not.