Local Assist

About Local Assist

Local Assist is a property care and repair franchise with a 24-hour contact centre which enables the company to help with any home emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The staff at the Local Assist call centre are trained to respond to all problems, taking down details of any emergency the customer may have so that it can be relayed to an engineer.

They will then arrange a same-day appointment for a suitable attending engineer to visit, who will use the details provided to prioritise the equipment they will need to bring to maximise a first attendance repair.

Local Assist franchisees only work with reliable and experienced engineers who can be trusted to work to the highest standards and are registered under their respective industry bodies. Working for the benefit of its customers and treating them as a priority has helped Local Assist gain a nationwide reputation.

As part of Service Solutions Group, Local Assist is an FCA-authorised and regulated claims handling and validation service.

What is the background of the Local Assist franchise?

Local Assist was founded in 2008 to offer 24-hour emergency service to customers who have suffered a catastrophe in their homes, whether a leaky water pipe, blocked drains or electrical failure. The company was originally an offshoot of Service Solutions Direct, a building and repair services provider to the insurance industry, which needed a sister company to provide 24/7 emergency cover for its clients with home emergency insurance.

In its earliest days, Local Assist simply handled work on behalf of Service Solutions Direct. However, business has grown in its own right and is now considered one of the UK’s top home emergency insurance claim handling and fulfilment providers.

What other services can Local Assist franchises offer?

Local Assist is a one of the number of interlinked companies under the umbrella of the Service Solutions Group. Service Solutions grew out of Concept Building Solutions, founded in 2002 by Darren Griffin and Dominic Booth.

Through an injection of investment from a private equity firm in 2008, Service Solutions Group was created to develop a number of subsidiary companies to handle emergency repairs in a number of different fields. These subsidiaries include Tradesmen Solutions, Service Solutions Direct and Local Assist.

The group encompasses a number of other companies and brands, including Concept Property Claims, Surface Medic, Remedial Solutions, Broker Solutions, Claim 4 Cavity Wall and Let Property Assist. Each of these works in a specialised area that, together, offer a set of complementary solutions which a Local Assist franchisee can draw upon — this can cover everything from insurance claims management and repair to commercial and domestic damp proofing.

Unlike most emergency repair companies, the Local Assist franchisee can use the group’s other companies to carry out maintenance tasks and aftercare services, meaning that franchisees can develop their business as a one-stop service for solving multiple problems with a single phone call.

How does the Local Assist franchise model work?

Local Assist is a network of professional tradespeople working across both the insurance and private sectors, Local Assist supplies its franchisees with work via leads generated from website enquiries or from insurance claims. Trained engineers then respond to effect repairs, whether it is a glazier for a chipped or smashed window, a plumber for a cracked pipe, or an engineer required to fix a failed boiler.

Local Assist’s reliable and trustworthy 24/7 callout engineers will get the job done and offer to do any other jobs that they may find on site during their visit. Local Assist franchisees will reap the rewards of a comprehensive network backing them up in every way.

The Local Assist franchise costs £14,995 + VAT, although Local Assist has offered to invest £5,000 of its own money in the new franchise, meaning that the initial investment needed to launch is only £9,995 + VAT.

Did you know?

Local Assist has outlets available across the UK

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Is financial aid available for a Local Assist franchise?

Additional financial options are available to help with the costs of setting up a Local Assist franchise.

What support and training do Local Assist offer?

Local Assist offers a full package of training and support, beginning with the franchisee attending an extensive induction training programme to make sure they have all the skills necessary to make their new business a success. As well as systems training, the franchisee will also be taught how to be compliant with health and safety regulations.

In order to let the Local Assist franchisee focus on growing and running their business, Local Assist offers wide-ranging support by performing back-office tasks such as pricing and quotations, and diary and PA support. They will also have access to a job management system which will allow franchisees to keep track of all their clients in one place.

Local Assist franchisees also receive marketing training and will have access to business cards, letterhead stationary and invoicing pads, managed email accounts, and a launch marketing campaign tailored for the local territory. Franchisees will also benefit from national advertising campaigns, which the company organise to raise awareness of the brand.

What are the potential profits from a Local Assist franchise?

Local Assist estimates that turnover for franchisees in their first year can reach £40,000 or more, with a gross profit of over £36,000.

Are any established Local Assist franchises for sale?

As with any business based on a franchised territory, some newcomers may prefer to take over an established franchise rather than start from scratch, avoiding setting up costs. Retirement or relocation are among the reasons a franchisee can consider reselling a profitable business, and resales of Local Assist franchises may come onto the market. Contact Local Assist to see if there is a franchise currently for sale.

What are Local Assist looking for in their franchisees?

Local Assist is looking for people who can work with a proven brand and who will put the customer first 24/7. They must be dedicated to working without high levels of back office support so that they can concentrate on creating a growing, profitable business.

The company is looking to recruit tradespeople with experience and qualifications in any trade that would be useful in dealing with domestic emergencies, including electricians, gas engineers, glaziers, plumbers, roofers, painter, decorators, plasterers, and handy men/women.

What are Local Assists’s terms of agreement and renewal?

The Local Assist franchise licence agreement covers a period of five years, after which it can be renewed for a small fee.

How in-demand are Local Assist right now?

Repair services are a multi-billion pound industry in the UK, and Local Assist has the advantage of also working in other related markets such as insurance.

Unfortunately, finding a reliable tradesman to help with repairs or improvements is not easy. More than 1.5m homeowners report rogue traders to the Ombudsman Service every year. A Homeowner Survey notes that 58 per cent of homeowners said they found it difficult to find a tradesman they trust, with 21 per cent saying it was very difficult.

Having a well-respected, trusted brand can overcome the negative attention and working to the high standards of Local Assist will earn franchisees good word of mouth and help grow a business.

How can I get started on setting up my own a Local Assist franchise?

Induction training could be the first step to a successful business as a Local Assist franchisee. To find out more, or to request further information on franchising with Local Assist, click on the enquiry button now.