£15,000
Homecare & Property Maintenance
Third party
POA
£34,950
35% to 40% profit, depending on the business model
About Access4Lofts
Access4Lofts franchises began as a local family-run operation in Devon. The company helps its customers utilise and access their loft space with the installation of loft ladders, loft hatches, and loft boarding.
It all started with a basic “need and demand situation”, says Tim Brown, owner of Access4Lofts. “We found no one specifically offering a loft ladder installation service, so I decided to install the loft hatch and ladder myself.”
For eight years, the business structure remained local with duo Tim and Lindsay Brown managing and growing the company into a repeatable success.
Once deciding to transform into a franchise, Access4Lofts perfected its training and launch system.
The franchise fee leaves nothing to chance and includes all you need to get going and become profitable. Each step in the business model has been carefully streamlined with ease of ownership in mind. From the invoice system to marketing to potential customers, administration stress has been reduced so you can focus on what’s important: installing loft access solutions and creating comfortable profits for yourself.
The Access4Lofts franchise network attributes its success to its customer-focused approach. Unlike impersonal providers of general building services or unreliable independent contractors, Access4Lofts focuses on delivering first class customer service throughout the journey. From the very first consult to the invoice to the installation to the aftercare - it’s all-important.
Access4Lofts is an associate member of the British Franchise Association.
How much does an Access4Lofts franchise cost?
The franchise fee is £34,950 – there are no additional startup costs. The fee covers everything you’ll need to get going in this business venture, including tools, marketing, accounting support and more. However, if you have £15,000, financing can be secured via many of the high street banks for the balance, and Access4Lofts is approved by Franchise Finance – a provider of franchise finance in the UK. Alternatively, as it is a business approved for the government-backed Start-Up Scheme, you could qualify to borrow up to £25,000, without investing any of your own money; and this figure doubles if the business has two directors.
Access4Lofts will provide you a detailed breakdown of where this money is spent, rest assured it is far better value than starting up on your own as an independent!
The management fee payable to the head office covers ongoing services like insurance and is 8 per cent of your net turnover (payable after your first three months of operation).
How does an Access4Lofts franchise operate?
There are various ways an Access4Lofts franchise business can work. Some owners prefer to keep the business small and personal as a single franchise, operating as a successful Access4Lofts owner-operator, while some owners work towards creating a sustainable management system where they hire a small team of staff to do installations and invoicing.
The day-to-day tasks as an Access4Lofts franchisee include marketing, invoicing, and installation. You do not need a warehouse or storage area, only a home garage and company-branded van.
Recently Access4Lofts has switched to a sophisticated administration system that cuts down on time-consuming invoice work, thus reducing the stress of admin. Quotes can be made and emailed directly from your (provided) Samsung tablet while you are on the go or at home. The system also links to the accounting software saving even more time.
Access4Lofts uses a company called Atlas Mapping to draft detailed dedicated territories that include a minimum of 150,000 households - enough to make sure you never run out of ladders to install. You can see which territories have already been allocated and check if your desired location is available on the official website.
What profit can I expect to make from an Access4Lofts franchise?
Access4Loft franchisees generally pay back their initial investment within one year. The business model has been proven profitable time and time again by each new franchise and every single franchise in operation is currently profitable (independently verified).
The owner-operator model has been proven to generate £120,000+ sales 40 per cent net profit within 24 months. Complete one job per day over a four-day week, spend the fifth day on business development. Work around your other life commitments.
The management business model has been proven to generate £300,000+ sales 35 per cent net profit with two staff. The franchisee works on developing the business, employing and managing fitters that do the majority of the installation work.
Do I need to be a DIY expert to run an Access4Lofts franchise?
An Access4Lofts franchise owner does not need to have DIY skills or any professional training. During the included training course, you’ll learn everything you need to know about installations. Previous franchisees have been from the building sector as well as unrelated sectors like retail and accounting.
You will need to have a basic understanding of DIY, but the extent of your knowledge does not have to be far-reaching. If you are concerned about your lack of experience, get in contact with the head office to ask specific questions.
You need to be in reasonable physical health to do the installs. Top physical shape is unnecessary, but your work will require handling power tools and going up and down ladders.
Access4Lofts has owners in their twenties all the way to their fifties - your age is not an issue.
What if there are competitors already operating in my chosen franchise territory?
Access4Lofts’ marketing strategy is highly competitive. Even in territories with six additional competitors, the franchise reported a total invoice to the installation rate of 70 per cent. By being focused on one specific task and supporting the customer throughout their purchase journey, you’ll be able to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Why should I choose an Access4Lofts franchise over other home improvement franchise options?
Access4Lofts offers the security and transparency of a proven model. Opening a new business is incredibly risky and lacks a support structure. On the other hand, 96 per cent of franchises in the UK launch successfully and become profitable. By taking the well-trodden path, you can skip the pain of starting from scratch and increase your chance of success.
Unlike other franchise options, the franchise fee for Access4Lofts covers all the materials you need to get started. The only thing you need to bring to the table is a hard-working attitude.
What training and support do Access4Lofts franchise business owners receive?
Once you pay the £5,000 deposit to secure your territory, you will join a five-day training course held in the West Midlands (accommodation provided). The comprehensive training starts with a mandatory health and safety course before switching over to the actual installation process. You will learn how to fit a range of ladders and hatches with your new comprehensive set of tools.
Your training doesn’t stop there, either. You will receive three full days of on-site support from your training team to give you further guidance and moral support. For the rest of your time as a franchise, you are able to call the operational support director for extra advice or problem-solving solutions.
On the backend, an accountant will handle your personal vat and tax. They will help you with setting up your new company and guide you through the process. As part of the package, your location will be added to the Access4Lofts’ national website as a branch listing and marketed in the local area.
How can I apply to become an Access4Lofts franchisee?
If Access4Lofts sounds like the type of franchise opportunity you are interested in, fill in the online form here and get started on your journey to success! You will then received a detailed breakdown of company’s franchise business opportunities.
Enquire into this franchise today
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