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Key services for your cleaning franchise

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Owning a restoration and cleaning franchise can be rewarding as well as profitable. Helping people maintain their homes and business, or helping them rebuild after a catastrophe, allows you to connect with your community and help your neighbors. In order to best serve your customers, you’ll want to ensure that your cleaning franchise offers the right services for your market.

The demand for cleaning and restoration services will be affected by your geographic region, the age of the construction in your market, and other unique factors.

Here are the five key services you want to offer through your cleaning franchise.

Carpet Cleaning

Carpets can be great for muffling sound in a home and retaining heat during colder months, but it can also get soiled easily. Carpet cleaning is an essential service for your cleaning franchise because there is a high demand for carpet cleaning, particularly in households with pets.

If your market is in an area with a lot of older homes, it’s likely that many of them have carpet throughout the home. As you’re trying to determine the best cleaning franchise to buy, find out what sort of carpet cleaning training they offer, and what equipment they want their franchisees to use in their carpet cleaning.

Water damage restoration

Coastal areas or regions with a lot of rain will have a high demand for water damage restoration services, but homes and businesses anywhere can be damaged by water. Whether it’s from a severe storm or a busted pipe, water damage can lead to greater problems in a home or business.

As soon as there is any sort of water damage, it’s important to make sure the affected area is dried out as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of mold or rot within the wood.

Knowing the right way to fix water damage takes some training, however, so when looking at cleaning franchise opportunities, ensure that the franchiser is prepared to train you on the best way to fix water damage.

Fire and smoke damage restoration

A fire can be devastating to a property, but even excessive smoke can cause discoloration and damage. A good restoration and cleaning franchise can help a homeowner or business owner rebuild and get a second chance.

Offering restoration from fire and smoke damage adds a valuable service to your cleaning franchise, but like water damage restoration, it requires specific training to be able to do it correctly.

The best cleaning franchises, like Steamatic, will provide all the necessary training on restoration services.

HVAC and air duct cleaning

Air ducts can build up with dust and debris, causing the HVAC system to have to work harder to heat and cool a space. HVAC and air duct cleaning can save your client money in the long run by ensuring that their HVAC system works efficiently.

Keeping air ducts clean can also help mitigate allergies by getting rid of pet dander, dust, and pollen within a home or business. Offering this service as part of your restoration and cleaning business will provide an added value for your business and your customers. 

Stone, tile, and hard surface cleaning

Hard surfaces can be easier to clean than carpet and other more porous materials, but they still need special care and proper cleaning. Hardwood floors require specific techniques and cleaning solutions in order to keep them cleaned and maintained, and some stones like granite or marble can react to certain cleaning supplies.

It’s important to ensure that all your cleaning technicians know the right materials and techniques to use in order to clean these surfaces. Home and business owners invest a lot of money into hard floors or stone countertops, so being able to help them keep their surfaces in the best condition will help to protect their investment and keep their homes and businesses looking their best.

Owning a successful cleaning franchise means knowing what services are in demand in your particular market. The climate, region, and other factors will influence which services your customers need the most. The best cleaning franchises, like Steamatic, will allow you the flexibility to personalize the services you offer and provide comprehensive training on all the different cleaning techniques. If you’re looking for the best cleaning franchise opportunities, then see if Steamatic is a good fit for you!

Guide to Funding Your Restoration Franchise

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration, News, Water Damage Restoration.

Home restoration has become a popular franchise choice for many individuals with an interest in helping others to rebuild their homes after a natural disaster. The home and restoration market continues to grow, and with that growth comes additional opportunities to break into the industry and eventually scale the business. Here are three steps involved in successfully funding a restoration franchise.

1. Research Available Loans

Many prospective franchisees will be unable to fully fund a franchise on their own, which is why it’s important to meet with a bank or another financial institution to see what loan options are available. Before meeting with a lender, franchisees will need to show them that they’re trustworthy by preparing a resume that includes their personal background and work history. A franchisee’s paperwork might also include financial statements and credit history, in addition to a business plan detailing their plan for running the franchise.

After all the documents are ready, the franchisee can learn more about the loan options available to them. These might include Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, traditional loans, or even loans from online lenders. All loans have different requirements, so it’s important to check over all the stipulations before formally applying.

2. Apply for a Loan

During the loan application process, lenders vet the franchisee they’re planning to grant funds to, in addition to the franchise system as a whole. Typically, franchisees have to fill out an application before the lender can grant them the loan. SBA loans are often a popular choice among franchisees, and these loans require a franchisee to fill out an application form, provide a copy of the signed franchise agreement, hold a business license, provide a copy of any personal or financial statements, and provide any records of previous loans. Other loans may have similar requirements.

3. Consider Alternative Financing Methods

Besides traditional or SBA loans, franchisees often consider a variety of other ways to fund their restoration franchise. In some cases, restoration franchisees seek assistance from close family or friends. Before accepting any financing, it’s important to create an agreement so all parties are fully aware of their obligations. Sometimes, the restoration franchise itself might provide the franchisee with a loan under the condition they stay with the franchise for a certain amount of time and keep profitability up.

Alternative lenders may also offer additional capital to supplement a traditional or SBA loan. These lenders generally have less stringent requirements and offer a wider variety of loan options, depending on the size of the franchise.

Individuals with an interest in buying a restoration franchise should consider all of their available options. Getting a loan can be challenging, but with the right help, it doesn’t have to be. Anyone with an interest in breaking into the home restoration and cleaning industry and owning their own business should consider owning a Steamatic franchise. Learn more about franchise ownership and all that it entails by filling out our contact form or leaving us a message at 817-332-1575. Get started in no time with our vast resources.

5 Tips for Growing Your Restoration Franchise

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Growing a franchise can help business owners reach more customers and increase franchise revenue. In the restoration industry, franchise growth also allows owners to help more clients recover from disaster by bringing their professional assessment and craftsmanship to the aftermath of events like fires and floods. Here are five tips for growing a restoration franchise.

Improve online presence

Websites are an important marketing tool for businesses and franchises of all sizes. A strong online presence can help franchisees connect with customers. This allows you to answer product or service questions, and provide easy access to purchase options. To improve a website, they might consider the content first. Adding informative content that’s valuable for the reader can help attract new and returning customer attention. 

Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies can help a website appear closer to the top of a search engine results page. To implement an SEO strategy, companies often consider on-page components, such as keywords, tags, and meta descriptions, along with off-page elements, like link building. 

Improve employee morale

Another useful way someone can grow a restoration franchise is to create a positive environment for their employees. They may do this by improving training or implementing a mentorship program to foster communication and guidance for new team members. Reward programs and company feedback opportunities can also help improve employee morale at all levels. Team member job satisfaction can contribute to improved company culture and increased productivity. 

Conduct research

Research can help franchisees understand their surrounding business market and determine how to increase profitability. For example, demographic research can help a franchise understand the communities that rely on their product or service. Current customer research can reflect on the preferences and opinions of satisfied clients and might help companies address the desires of unsatisfied clients. Customer satisfaction surveys are one useful tool for this type of research. Other useful market research options that may help a franchise grow include brand research, product development research, and competitor analysis.  

Set SMART goals

Setting SMART goals can help franchisees develop clear and attainable objectives. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. The SMART methodology helps franchises set specific goal parameters, then determine how to measure the goal and what units of measurement to use. Next, they consider how to make the goal achievable and what factors might affect the process. Finally, they determine how the goal may apply to the overall growth of the company and create a timeline to accompany the plan.

Use technology

Franchise owners can implement the latest technology solutions to create more efficient processes and grow their businesses. Customer relationship management (CRM) technology often includes features like task automation, contact management, email integration, lead management, sales forecasting, reporting, and analytics. Artificial intelligence for customer service, automated marketing, and mobile apps are also useful technological tools to consider.

Franchisees wanting to take their business to the next level can use these five tips to increase the performance of their franchises. Learn more about ownership and growing your restoration franchise, contact Steamatic today!

What Do I Need To Purchase a Restoration Franchise?

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration, Fire Restoration.

Restoration companies provide property repair services to home and business owners following damage from events like floods, fires, or windstorms. Buying a restoration franchise can be an exciting business move and career goal for renovators. By purchasing a restoration franchise rather than starting one, business owners can benefit from the existing company infrastructure, brand recognition, and corporate framework. Here are the basic steps and necessities for purchasing a restoration franchise.

Define a Goal

A defined goal can help individuals make important business decisions about franchise type, location, price, and timeline. One helpful way to create a business goal when purchasing a restoration franchise is to consider personal skills and interests, management experience, and industry experience. For example, a buyer with experience in mold restoration, a professional interest in apartment complex restoration, and a personal goal of owning a franchise in the southern United States can use this information to target franchise opportunities that match their vision.

Create a Budget

Budgets are key to making financially sound business decisions. To create a budget, a franchise buyer can begin by considering their personal financial constraints and qualifications, including net worth, credit score, and income. Another important consideration is the total investment required, including the purchase fee, employee expenses, equipment costs and ongoing costs of operation. Finally, consider the financing options to help get the business off the ground. These options include loans, investors, and equipment financing. Consider including a timeline to add specificity to your budget.

Identify Opportunities

Future franchisees can do research to find opportunities and prepare themselves for buying and operating a franchise. Researching a franchise opportunity online by visiting its website and reading reviews can be a helpful way to begin the opportunity identification process. Individuals might look for opportunities that match their goals and strengths. It’s also important to consider what makes an ideal location, including the region, city, surroundings, and accessibility for customers.

Research Franchise Specifics

After identifying a few exciting restoration franchise options, contact one to three top franchises to learn more. A phone call can be a useful way to get to know the current franchise owner and learn specific details about the franchise. Consider asking questions like:

  • How long has this franchise been in operation?
  • What is the initial purchasing fee?
  • In what regions does this franchise operate?
  • How many units does this franchise currently include?
  • What are the growth goals and plans for this franchise?
  • Are there financing options available?
  • What sort of regional competition exists for this franchise?

After a successful phone conversation, it can be useful to set up a site visit or attend a franchise “discovery day,” where the franchise owners invite potential buyers to the company headquarters for presentations and Q&A opportunities. From there, interested buyers can complete an application and sign a franchise agreement to complete the purchase.

For individuals ready to take their restoration careers to the next level, purchasing a franchise might be an exciting opportunity. To learn more about how to buy a franchise, contact Steamatic to make an appointment.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Water Restoration

Posted by & filed under Water Damage Restoration.

Water damage can be highly destructive to a home or business. Whether from a severe storm, clogged toilet, pipe leak, or another source, it’s crucial to address water damage of any type. The proper response to water restoration makes the difference between a clean, healthy environment and a potentially hazardous situation. It’s essential to understand the following do’s and don’ts in any situation that requires water restoration.

Act Quickly

Time is critical when dealing with water damage. On a damp surface, mold growth can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Mold can cause serious health problems, including headaches, memory loss, skin, and eye irritation, and respiratory symptoms. Home and business owners should begin restoration as quickly as possible. These tasks include:

  • Containing the water when possible.
  • Removing standing water. 
  • Elevating furniture.
  • Removing as many items from the affected area as possible.
  • Wiping down hard surfaces with a disinfectant once dry.
  • Increasing ventilation in the area to help the space dry as quickly as possible. 

Home and business owners should contact a water restoration professional for a thorough cleaning for solutions beyond these DIY tasks.

Look for a Certified Water Restoration Specialist

When selecting a professional for a significant job due to a flood, leak, or other water damage, hiring only well-educated professionals in this industry is crucial. Although water restoration companies do not necessarily have to have certification, this credential is a helpful indicator of experience and knowledge. Homeowners seeking a water restoration specialist should ask about the specialist’s credentials to best evaluate the provider’s reliability.

Don’t Always Use the First Recommended Service Provider

If insurance covers the damage, the insurance company will likely mention some suggested service providers. It’s important to understand that the policyholder is under no obligation to use these providers. The insurance company may have a profitable relationship with them, but it doesn’t mean these companies are the best at the job.

Homeowners should perform independent research to make sure they’re working with a water restoration company with a good reputation and solid service record.

Don’t Handle Dangerous Water Restoration Jobs

Cleaning up after substantial water damage is no small task. This work isn’t something that the average home or business owner should attempt independently. It’s essential to avoid sites that are hazardous to one’s health and safety. Individuals should never perform the following:

  • Work in a space with electrical damage.
  • Clean up an area with structural damage.
  • Clean up sewage.
  • Use electrical equipment of any type on a wet floor.

Leave these dangerous tasks to the professionals. Restoration companies have the equipment and expertise to handle such situations safely, while homeowners can sustain life-threatening injuries or illnesses in these situations.

Working with a skilled water damage restoration professional makes the difference when handling a leak or flood. Those skilled in this specialty can provide the fastest and safest resolution possible for the situation. A water restoration specialist can help families and business owners get back to their regular routines as quickly as possible.

Why You Should Purchase a Franchise in the Restoration Industry

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration, Fire Restoration, Mold Remediation, Water Damage Restoration.

Restoration services help combat the aftermath of disasters, such as floods and fire. Homes exposed to water damage, mold, mildew, and fire require a professional touch. From eliminating the smell of smoke to properly eradicating microbial growths, there’s a great deal for a skilled professional to do in these situations. Franchise owners in the restoration industry can benefit from the growing demand for this type of service.

Increasing Demand for Restoration Services

The damage restoration services industry has seen increased annualized revenue of 0.5% between 2016 and 2021 to a total of $4 billion. The demand for these services is only expected to grow in the coming years. There are many possible reasons for this increase in demand, including:

  • A growing number of billion-dollar disasters. Between 1980 and 2018, the country averaged just 6.2 such events each year. Between 2016 and 2018, this average increased to 15 a year.
  • Higher health and safety standards as a result of COVID-19.
  • More tightly sealed energy-efficient homes where lack of airflow can lead to microbial growth, particularly in harsh winters.
  • A surge in home improvements driven by the growing number of people staying in and working from home.

These events and others have created a notable demand for home restoration solutions that industrious franchisees can capitalize on as they assist their communities.

Greater Organization in the Restoration Industry

The home restoration industry saw some major changes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Those attempting home restoration fraud made their way into the limelight, and new regulations went into place to help homeowners secure more reliable services and solutions in the wake of a disaster. Organizations like the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification have developed a wealth of resources to help business owners better serve their customers in the critical area of home restoration.

This means that franchise owners in this business have more educational tools at their fingertips than ever before. These same tools and resources make it easier to train employees who are new to the industry as well. This is especially important, as securing and retaining employees is one of the top challenges faced by restoration businesses.

Enhanced Restoration Technologies

The tools and technologies used for home restoration are evolving just as the industry is. Project management technology offers a wealth of benefits to franchise owners. They simplify the process of coordinating multiple jobs and maximizing efficiency and profitability.

It’s easier than ever to measure humidity, temperature, and moisture using compact sensors. These sensors can transmit data off-site so businesses can evaluate the information and remotely control dehumidifiers and other equipment that’s left in place for days at a time. The latest air scrubbers with HEPA technology can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns to remove allergens, irritants, and other hazards from the air.

Those interested in investing in a new franchise may find that the restoration industry is the perfect investment. As the desire for effective and efficient restoration solutions grows, so will the opportunities in this field.

Best Carpet Cleaner for Pet Accidents

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration.

Even the best-trained pets can experience accidents, leaving owners to clean up the mess. When cats and dogs have accidents in the home, pet owners need to clean the area thoroughly to keep their home well-maintained and keep the pet from reusing the spot in the future. Here are the five best carpet cleaners for pet accidents.

Rocco & Roxie Supply Stain and Odor Eliminator

Rocco & Roxie Supply Stain and Odor Eliminator is one of the best carpet cleaning solutions on the market. It’s an enzymatic cleaner that contains natural bacteria. This bacteria feeds on the ammonia crystals found in pet urine, breaking down the odor as well as the stain. While the price tag on Rocco & Roxie Supply Stain and Odor Eliminator may be higher than others, it’s for a good reason. The price of a bottle of this carpet cleaning solution is far lower than replacing the carpet, clothing, or mattress that has been the site of a pet accident.

Resolve Urine Destroyer Spray Stain & Odor Remover

If price is an issue when purchasing a carpet cleaner for pet accidents, then Resolve Urine Destroyer Spray Stain & Odor Remover is an excellent option. This cleaner works much like the more expensive options, neutralizing the urine scent on contact by breaking down the odor molecules. Resolve Urine Destroyer’s formula uses 100% bio-based polymer technology to oxidize the odor and pull up the stain. It’s safe to use on rugs, upholstery, fabrics, carpets, car interiors, and hard floors.

Angry Orange Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Angry Orange Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator is another affordable option for pet owners who need to clean up after their pets’ accidents. It’s a biodegradable cold-press formula with fresh orange oil. Orange oil naturally disinfects and attacks the odor, eliminating it instead of masking it. Angry Orange leaves behind either a fresh-squeezed orange aroma or a fresh, clean scent. The enzymatic formula can work on hard surfaces, fabrics, and carpets.

Nature’s Miracle Oxy Set-in Stain Destroyer

If a pet accident goes unnoticed for some time, pet owners might need to find a carpet cleaner that can remove set-in stains. Nature’s Miracle Oxy Set-in Stain Destroyer penetrates deep into the carpet to lift out old, set-in stains. The carpet should be thoroughly covered with Nature’s Miracle Oxy Set-in Stain Destroyer and then left to sit for approximately 15 minutes while the product eliminates all traces of the stubborn stain and odor.

TriNova Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover

TriNova Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover consists of natural and organic enzymes that break down urine molecules for pet owners who don’t want to use harsh chemicals around their pets or on their carpets. These natural ingredients disintegrate the stain and remove any odor from bedding, clothes, hardwood floors, carpets, and rugs. TriNova leaves behind a fresh, herbal scent and leaves carpets looking new. Once the stain has been treated with one of these carpet cleaners, it would be a good idea to go over the spot with a carpet cleaning machine. Pet accidents don’t need to result in replacing the carpet if treated correctly. If these cleaners aren’t enough for stubborn pet stains and odors, pet owners can contact their local Steamatic crew for carpet cleaning services.

5 Signs Your HVAC Needs Cleaning

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration.

On average, people in the United States spend 90% of their day inside. Indoor air can have up to five times as much pollution as the fresh air of the great outdoors. Pollutants found in indoor air include cigarette smoke, lead, mold, asbestos, and pet dander. Air ducts help clean the air indoors to keep us from breathing in these pollutants. Here are five signs that an HVAC needs cleaning.

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What Is Electronic Restoration?

Posted by & filed under Home Restoration, Fire Restoration.

Nearly all homes and businesses today are filled with electronics like computers, TVs, game consoles, and audio equipment. In a disaster, these items can suffer extensive damage from fire, flooding, or contaminants. This is where a professional electronic restoration service comes in. Electronic restoration helps return these items to a safe and functional state.

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How To Avoid Water Damage

Posted by & filed under Water Damage Restoration.

Every year, thousands of homes and businesses experience some type of water damage. Water damage can cause a number of problems for the homeowner or business owner, including the development of mold or bacterial growth. In addition, the building can experience damage to walls, floors, ceilings, and furnishings. The longer water damage sits, the more damage can occur causing further expensive repairs or worse, or a total loss of furniture, flooring, and even artwork. Instead of trying to make repairs after water damage, homeowners and property owners should consider ways to avoid water damage altogether.

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