Additional Information

Introduction

You are in a unique position. You have the opportunity to make a decision that will allow you to have control over your personal freedom and financial security.

Imagine being able to control the hours you work each day, your level of income and of course when to take a break. A Housework Heroes Franchise offers you these and many more benefits through a business system designed to give you flexibility and a high level of support.

We recognise each franchisee has individual needs, motivations and goals. Our mission is to assist you in satisfying these.

The Housework Heroes Organisation

Housework Heroes is a division of the Care Group, which consists of over 120 established franchisees throughout Australia and New Zealand and is active in both the domestic home services market and mobile car detailing services through Car Care Australia. The directors have over 30 years experience in the franchise industry as both a franchisee and franchisor.

Housework Heroes was established in Adelaide in 1996 and has since grown to a national company. Housework Heroes Australia has a series of Master Franchisees in place who in turn support regional and individual unit franchisees. This structure allows all franchisees to benefit from being part of a national organisation whilst still having the advantage of a local focus.

The Market

The market in which Housework Heroes operate is enjoying rapid growth due mainly to the increase in double income families and their tendency to "out source" many domestic duties. Concentrating on this market has allowed Housework Heroes to develop a great understanding of its target customers and their needs.

The potential of our target market is supported by the following quote from the International Franchise Association.

"As the economy becomes more service and technologically oriented, as more women enter the work force, and as a larger percentage of the population grows older, growth areas in franchising are responding to these changes. The industry categories in franchising that are expected to continue to experience rapid growth for the start of the new century are service-related fields such as home repair, carpet cleaning, household cleaning, and various other maintenance and cleaning services."

An Introduction to Franchising

Franchising is a method of distributing products or services. At least two levels of people are involved in the franchise system: (1) the franchisor, who lends his trademark or trade name and a proven business system; and (2) the franchisee, who pays a royalty and an initial fee for the right to operate a business under the franchisor’s name and system.

Franchising is not a new concept. In fact, the first franchised business was the Singer Sewing Machine Company in 1851. There are now more franchised businesses per head of population in Australia than anywhere else in the World. The many benefits of franchising include:

• The training programme of the franchisor overcomes the franchisees possible lack of specialised knowledge.
• The franchisee has the incentive of operating their own business with the additional benefit of continuing assistance from the franchisor. This provides the opportunity through hard work and effort to maximise the return from their business and the value of their investment.
• The franchisee needs less capital than they would if they were setting up a business independently as the franchisor, through their pilot operations, has eliminated unnecessary expense.
• The franchisee receives the benefit of the franchisors bulk purchasing power and negotiating capacity.
• The franchisees have at their disposal specialised and highly-skilled knowledge and experience through the franchisor while remaining self-employed in their business.
• The franchisee has the benefit of the franchisor's continuous research and development programmes, which are designed to improve the business and keep it up-to-date and competitive.
• The recognition by the banks of the advantages of franchise financing have made lending sources and terms available to franchisees which are more attractive than those offered to a non-franchised new businesses.

Method of Operation

Housework Heroes Franchisees purchase a franchise territory which entitles them to market their services within that area. The customer pays the franchisee directly on the completion of each job.

All Franchisees are fully trained prior to commencement and are supplied with all necessary cleaning materials and equipment as part of the "Start Up" package.

The Franchisor runs the central booking office where customers are encouraged to telephone for quotes and to place their bookings. These details are then passed on to the franchisee.

The Franchisor continually supports all franchisees with ongoing marketing, training and technical advice.

The Services We Offer

The main applications for Housework Heroes services are cleaning residential homes and small commercial premises. Housework Heroes offer various levels of cleaning including regular services, spring cleaning and vacated cleaning packages. This home cleaning service is unique to other cleaning services available, as a set rate per hour is not charged; rather, certain cleaning duties are guaranteed to be completed for a set price. If a customer wishes additional or alternative cleaning duties to be completed this can also be arranged and will be quoted at a set price rather than an hourly rate. This formula allows franchisees to set their own prices and maximise their time and income.

The aim of all franchisees is to achieve regular, repeat bookings from their customers. This in turn provides regular income with low overheads due to the confined territory in which the home cleaning duties are carried out.

Our Franchise Owners

For the majority of our franchise owners, this is their first venture into self-employment. They recognise that "if they keep doing what they are doing they will continue to receive what they are receiving", and they want to improve their personal and families quality of life.

A Housework Heroes franchise is not just a job – it is a business opportunity for achieving success by working with a professional group who have the same ambitions as themselves.

The common objective of all franchisees is to achieve personal independence, which comes with self-employment. Achieving a quality of life that allows individuals to determine the hours they work to suit their lifestyle. The added advantage with Housework Heroes is having a franchise group available to help you on the way to success with your own business.

Training

Training is a vital element in business success. Housework Heroes puts an extraordinary amount of energy and attention into this area. Our cleaning methods are relatively easy to learn and most of our franchisees had no prior experience in this field. It is important, however, that the proper techniques be taught so that you will render a professional service. It is also vitally important that you learn how to market your services and how to effectively manage your business to maximise your opportunities. These are skills that are acquired through the comprehensive training and development programme.

About Our Customers

The world is changing rapidly. No longer is it just the wealthy who consider domestic help. As more and more women pursue their own careers, the need for help in the home continues to grow. The Housework Heroes system allows you to take full advantage of this changing pattern and trend in household management.

The busy people who make up most of Housework Heroes clientele know that a clean, neat house creates a happy living environment. But their busy lifestyle leaves them with little time for cleaning the home.

You make a contribution to the lives of Housework Heroes clients. The high quality of your work is of huge importance to them. They lead busy lives, and need (and will pay for) the superior service you provide.

Your passion for perfection and eagerness to please are noticed every day. Your pride and self worth are enhanced by the knowledge that your clients are genuinely satisfied.

How We Attract Customers

A feature of all good franchising systems is to maintain a high profile and continued growth through advertising and marketing. Housework Heroes manages an Advertising Fund on behalf of all franchisees who participate in decisions on the best use of the advertising fund.

Still one of the best sources of additional business is through our good reputation and word of mouth advertising. Over several years many different forms of advertising have been tested and total market as well as local area strategies are now in place to ensure an appropriate volume of bookings for each franchisee. Our advertising includes a combination of:

• Yellow pages advertising
• Local newspaper advertising
• Price brochures
• Direct mail
• Real Estate agent offers
• Referral vouchers
• Letterbox distribution
• Newspaper advertorials
• Various other promotional items and initiatives

Advantages of a Housework Heroes Franchise

Professional Team

With Housework Heroes you are joining a professional team with extensive franchising experience in both this business and others.

Proven Business

Housework Heroes has been proven as a successful business system providing financial security and autonomy for its franchisees.

Franchise Territory

You may choose your own marketing area which saves travel time as jobs are grouped close together. You may sell your franchise at any time and you set the price.

Established Brand Name

The image and good reputation of Housework Heroes are already established. Customers recognise our distinctive logo and relate to our brand name.

Central Booking Office

The Housework Heroes booking office is staffed by people who have been with us since our commencement. They understand our customer’s needs and can efficiently communicate with Franchisees.

National Advertising

As part of an expanding national group your advertising advantage is far greater than an individual operator could achieve. Successful advertising ideas from each State are accumulated for the benefit of all franchisees.

Initial and Ongoing Training

Training in both written form and “hands on” is provided as is ongoing training to ensure maximum efficiency.

Group Buying Discounts

Group buying power provides advantages to our franchisees in areas such as cleaning materials, equipment and insurance costs.

Capital Gain

As Housework Heroes grows in size and reputation, the value of its franchises increases.

Backup Support

Since we have a network of professional business owners you should feel comfortable in the fact you have strong ongoing support at all times. This allows you to enjoy your holidays with reliable backup service available to your clients.

The Franchise Agreement

Each franchisee is required to sign a franchise agreement, which includes a map of their chosen area or a record of Post Code boundaries. Each franchisee has their own territory and has the exclusive right to market their services within that area.

Other features of the franchise agreement include:

• Documents prepared by Babingtons solicitors
• The term of the franchise is 15 years, which is shown as five years with the option to renew for another five years at half of the then current franchise price and a further 5 years at no cost.
• Franchisees may sell their business at any time during the term and they set the selling price.
• Franchisees may choose their own working hours and accordingly their own level of income. Franchisees are however expected to commit to their business on a full-time basis.
• If you sell your franchise you will not be permitted to operate a similar business or take your customers with you for a period of time. This is designed to protect all existing franchisees.
• As a franchisee you are expected to comply with certain rules and regulations contained within the agreement. These include timely payment of accounts, displaying business like conduct and providing a quality job to your customers’ satisfaction.
• The Franchisor has obligations too – running the booking office, keeping accurate business records, advertising and promoting the business, training and ongoing assistance to all franchisees.
• The Franchise agreement is an important document. We believe it to be fair to all parties and franchisees have comfort in the fact that many others have committed to a similar contract already. However we recommend that you read it carefully and seek independent legal advice.

Financial Information

The Franchise Fee is payable by the franchisee on signing of the Franchise Agreement.

The initial fee includes not only the purchase of the selected territory but also all of the equipment, small wares and training needed to commence business.

The Franchise Fee includes:

• Purchase of own exclusive marketing territory
• Local area marketing to at least $1,500.00
• Package of premium quality cleaning materials
• New industrial quality vacuum cleaner
• Personalised business cards
• Stock of Housework Heroes stationery
• Stock of Housework Heroes advertising brochures
• Receipt and invoice books
• Personalised stamp
• Housework Heroes uniforms
• Magnetic car signs or decals
• A fully detailed Operations Manual and Marketing Manual

What to do Next

Buying a business is a significant decision. You should be sure to obtain as much information as necessary to ensure you are comfortable with your investment. We believe one of the best sources of information comes from talking to current franchisees. Another source of advice are business advisors such as Accountants and Solicitors. They will be able to give you their opinion on the franchise agreement, financial information and general business guidance.

Should you require assistance with obtaining finance for your business, we can help in the following ways:

1. Provision of hard copy or electronic version of cash flow forecasting and total start-up cost templates
2. Assistance with the preparation of a business plan
3. Referral to suitable business finance lenders
4. Access to current franchisees to enable you to make your own enquiries as to earnings information and potential

We will provide you with a Disclosure Document, the Franchising Code of Conduct and a sample Franchise Agreement at least two weeks before you make any firm commitments to a Housework Heroes Franchise. A Solicitor or an Accountant should check these documents for you.

Once you have decided to proceed with a Housework Heroes franchise and identified your marketing territory, we can sign the franchise agreement and begin the process of training and pre-opening marketing. You will then become a part of the Housework Heroes team and begin receiving the benefits.