Richard Mason
ServiceMaster Franchise
Leeds, Dewsbury & York
Before ServiceMaster I was involved in insurance building restoration work with another Franchisor but what attracted me to ServiceMaster was their reputation within the insurance industry and the fact that they had contracts with major players in the industry which guaranteed a supply of work from day one without any advertising by me (in stark contrast to my previous franchise). I purchased the Leeds business after seeing an advertisement in the local paper, and knowing the commercial potential of Leeds, was immediately interested. The carpet/upholstery cleaning side of the business is showing steady growth now, although this was starting from zero, as my predecessor had not traded for about a year.
From day one I employed a technician, who handles the majority of the appointments and the carpet and upholstery cleaning, I have recently purchased a second van for my own use, and do a number of the insurance jobs myself now we have the bigger area. I also get involved when on larger jobs, which need two operatives, such as the carpet cleaning contracts obtained centrally by ServiceMaster Ltd, or when we have major fire and flood work as happened frequently over the past summer. I have also started to employ on a part time basis a lady who comes in to help with the administrative side of the business.
Both my technician and I enjoy the work, partly because of the variety, never two days the same, never two jobs the same. Added to this is the flexibility, if either of us needs a day off or to finish early for some reason, the other will cover any calls that come up. It has been exceedingly rewarding (and I don’t mean just financially) with the flood work over the summer, helping clients who have been badly hit by floods, taking charge of the work when clients were almost too shocked to know what to do next. Many of these people we have come to know well and have become friends as well as clients.
Both my technician and I attended a two week training academy at SM head office in Leicester before starting trading and return from time to time for various training courses. In addition to this, any problems we encounter (and there is always something new and potentially problematic) we have technical help and support at the end of a telephone line day or night. Regional meetings afford us an opportunity to meet our neighbouring licensees, all of whom we get on well with. Indeed, we have worked together on some larger jobs at times
In conclusion, I am very satisfied with my business and the way it has progressed in one year, and would recommend it to anyone who is considering investing in a ServiceMaster franchise
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