Join the roofing revolution
WITH HOMEOWNERS LOOKING TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THEIR EXISTING PROPERTY RATHER THAN PUT IT ON THE MARKET, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR THE NEW ROOFERMAN FRANCHISE

An award-winning Yorkshire roofing and building firm is on the brink of becoming a household name with the launch of a pioneering UK franchise concept called Rooferman.

Ploughcroft Building Services Ltd, which has won industry acclaim for its work improving industry standards, aims to extend its quality standards across the country to deliver a national generation of highly trained roof repair and maintenance personnel.

LOW-RISK
Launched in November 2008, the Rooferman franchise opportunity offers prospective roofers the chance to set up a ‘man-in-a-van’ business without the usual risks associated with going it alone. In return for a total investment of £24,495 (plus approximately £8,750 start-up and working capital provision) they will receive four weeks’ training at Ploughcroft’s purpose-built training academy, covering everything from practical roofing techniques, repair and maintenance methods, to the installation of the latest green technologies such as solar panels.

Training is delivered by fully accredited NVQ assessors/trainers as well as members of Rooferman’s management team - all of whom have first-hand experience of running the business. After a new franchisee meets the key competencies required, they will be offered further ‘upskill training’ on solar roof installations and flat seamless roof construction, enabling the franchise owner to renew Dorma flat roof coverings and install solar panels on roof tops.

Franchisees will also be trained on health and safety matters and certificated to PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’Association) standards for tower scaffolding. In addition, the financial outlay - for which assistance is available - will cover the cost of their licence fee, operations manual, a training support allowance, three-month lease of a vehicle, tools and IT equipment, corporate workwear and business stationery.

Rooferman’s thorough support package includes regular visits from a franchise manager, a mentoring programme, top-up training as and when required, performance benchmarking and regular networking meetings.

The company is looking for potential franchisees who can demonstrate commitment and are prepared to provide the highest standards of customer service to their clients. Candidates need the drive, personality and ability to effectively manage a Rooferman franchise as well as the determination and motivation to succeed.

The target market for this franchise comprises private householders, small businesses and property landlords. With over 25million households in the UK, the potential in the domestic market alone is substantial, while the fact that any building can suffer roofing problems is an additional bonus for Rooferman franchisees.

Ploughcroft managing director, Chris Hopkins, explains Rooferman’s potential: “Having started trading as a father-and-son operation, I know only too well the risks associated with going it alone.

However, I also know that as a well-established company we often struggle to look after clients wanting smaller roof repairs, leaving a real niche to be filled. There are therefore considerable opportunities in the roofing market for smaller businesses whose personnel are properly trained and able to be flexible and work to a proven system.”

NETWORK
The Rooferman franchise operates via a network of liveried vehicles, each containing two fully-trained roofing operatives. These vehicles are equipped with the latest access equipment, giving operatives a safe and secure working platform on which to complete the vast majority of roof repairs and maintenance.

The business works on the principle that the majority of roof repairs are minor and can be repaired by a trained team within two-five hours with minimal outlay on materials. Services offered include an annual roof inspection and gutter clean, a two-hour repair service (inclusive of up to £25-worth of material and travelling time) and a four-five hour repair service (inclusive of up to £50-worth of materials and travelling time).

In the current economic climate many homeowners are looking to repair and maintain their existing property rather than put their house on the market. Chris explains: “Roofs are an essential and as a result most people are willing to spend money on repairing them even when financially hard up. An increasing number of homeowners are also looking for ways to modify their homes in order to become more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long term. One of the easiest ways to do this is to install solar panels to roofs. Our research shows that a hardworking Rooferman franchise could expect to achieve a turnover of up to £84,000 in its first year of operation, building to a healthy£197,000 by the end of year three, of which more than £53,000 would be profit.

Chris should know. Since taking over as managing director in 2005, he has built Ploughcroft Building Services Ltd to a £2million turnover operation with a staff of 25 covering the majority of the country. The forward-thinking company was winner of the National Home Improvement Council’s National Award for Innovation in Training in 2007 and in 2008 scooped the top prize for specialist contractor in the national Best Places to Work in Construction Awards, run by ‘Contract Journal’. It also recently won the Yorkshire and Humber SME Award from cross-industry body Constructing Excellence in recognition of its best practice in people development and collaborative working.