Start A Carpet Cleaning Franchise – What does this mean?
Carpet cleaning, Commercial cleaning

Franchise meaning- according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as “the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company’s goods or services in a particular territory.”

If you have decided to start a carpet cleaning business, you have another crucial question to ask yourself. Should I go with a franchise or remain independent? This is an important decision and depends on several different factors.

In both cases, you will have cleaners in your employ, so bear in mind that it’s important to reach out to the right staff. And keep reading to get some tips that will hopefully help you make up your mind.

What is the most efficient method of cleaning carpets?

Getting dirt out of the carpet- or carpet cleaning needs machinery to be the most effective. And deep cleaning carpets is not entirely the same thing as carpet cleaning, so it’s important to understand the different methods used. The most common methods of carpet cleaning are:

  • Shampooing
  • Steam cleaning
  • Hot water extraction
  • Dry foam cleaning

But each method will be used for different carpet problems, and knowing the difference makes a difference to both the time and the money budget. Franchise businesses have the advantage of knowledge learned, to recommend and implement the right methods and products for stains and dirt that accumulate on a mat.

Be aware that operating machinery takes a certain amount of skill. Trained cleaners are looking for jobs all the time and are part of the CleaningNZ network.

Is a cleaning franchise a good investment?

Franchises are great, but they are not for everyone, and they do have some drawbacks. For example, you will have to pay franchise fees for the whole lifespan of your cleaning business. To start a carpet cleaning business, you will also have to purchase only the equipment and chemicals that they allow, and usually, you must buy it from the franchiser for a premium. This can grow old quickly, especially after you have become established.

If you ever decide to drop the franchise, you would basically have to start over from scratch as your customer list would belong to them. Sounds bad, right? Well, there are also some significant advantages to choosing a franchise. You have a much higher success rate since the franchise has already learned how to market and run the business. You just must follow their business model, and you are almost guaranteed to be a success.

Also, do not underestimate the power of a trusted name that a franchise offers. Name recognition can mean everything. If you plan on entering the water damage restoration area, this is also very important if you want to become a preferred vendor of insurance companies.

Is it worth owning a carpet cleaning business?

So, what about going the independent route? This has several advantages. For example, you can choose to use the equipment and supplies that you want, and you can shop around for the best price. The most significant advantage though is the fact that you keep all the profits.

The disadvantages are numerous though. It’s a steep and solo learning curve. All the mistakes that a franchisor has already made are there for you to make. You might not think that you will make mistakes, but entrepreneurs are seldom successful without taking risks. And taking risks usually involves making a few mistakes before finding what works for you.

Am I responsible for paying cleaners wages in a franchise?

Most franchises cover marketing costs and a few other expenses, but generally, it’s the franchisee who pays for operating costs such as cleaners’ wages. The franchisor will have a model to guide you on the correct staff to employ and their rate of pay. But their hiring and firing, as well as paying wages and other contributions such as tax are the responsibility of the franchisee.

It’s a big decision to make. Take the time to weigh all the options and decide which way is the right one for you. Starting a cleaning services business is not just a way to make extra income. Properly managed, it can be a pretty decent fully-fledged business that can support your family, or held build up a retirement plan. A good business has value over and above the machinery it owns, and people will pay for goodwill built over years in establishing your brand and customer base.

To give a franchise meaning, it must be competitive with the results a sole proprietorship or company can deliver. And with the number of customers a recognized brand can bring in. Crunching the numbers by doing a brief business plan for both models will help you make a decision.