Remodeling market growth good for handyman services

Over the years I've seen business opportunities come and go. Choosing a franchise that is here to stay and not a fad can be so important for your success. Remodeling and home improvement activity continues to be a great measure as to how strong the opportunity is for any of our House Doctors and House Medic handyman service franchises. That's why it's great news when we see the remodeling market continuing to grow. In this post I share some remodeling data from a study by Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist with Hanley Wood, dated November 12, 2013 which show exciting times ahead for both of our Brands.

11,651,573 remodels forecast for 2014

The Hanley Wood study states that the homebuilding and remodeling market is expected to continue building momentum into 2014. According to the study it looks like 2014 will be the strongest year in residential spending in 7 years and remodeling and home improvements is expected to rise by another 5% getting us close to figures that show a full National recovery.
I thought I'd also include for you the top 10 remodeling markets at the moment and the markets that are expected to be the biggest in 2014. The great news is that at House Doctors and House Medic handyman services we have a number of these markets available for new franchisees.

 

  Top 10 Remodeling Markets in US

1. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY

2. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX

3. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

6. Pittsburgh, PA

7. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

8. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO

9. Oklahoma City, OK

10. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN

  Biggest Remodeling Markets for 2014

1. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

3. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI

4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

6. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX

7. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

8. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH

9. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

 

10. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA

Reasons why confidence is high that momentum will continue into 2014 and beyond

• The Baby Boomers are feeling more confident. They are investing in new homes and/or discretionary home improvements and home modifications—Aging in place is expected to be a key driver for the next 5-10 years
• Increases in Mortgage rates are not expected to stop the recovery
• Consumer confidence is increasing and once again driving home purchase decisions
• People have put off remodeling and replacement projects. They are now needed just as home equity improves
• New home demand is shifting again to better and bigger
• Housing is again a positive contributor to the economy and helping to drive economic growth
• Economic growth and opportunity continues to vary market to market

What do you think? Will the momentum continue? How does your market compare?

 

Handyman franchise and handyman services update

This time of year is always busy but the last few weeks have been even busier here at House Doctors franchisor and our franchises like House Medic handyman services in Round Rock and Austin with the launch of our new websites and the introduction of a new internet strategy. This is always a busy time for our franchisees as homeowners prepare for the holidays and this year as a franchisor over the last few weeks we've been involved with webinars for existing franchisees, training for new franchisees, end of year supplier negotiations, and the planning of our Annual Convention. All part of a franchisor's role as we build a National home improvement Brand.

House Doctors and House Medic Handyman Site Already Performing

The new site has drawn nothing but praise. Easier to navigate, tells people better what we do, looks more professional, presents products much better. These are just a few comments we have had from both franchisees and customers. The new site stats are already very  impressive. Launching new sites tends to be a bit unpredictable in the early days as far as performance goes however I'm glad to report our visits to the new site are already up, time visitors spend on the site is also up and bounce rate is down. It just launched two months ago but the initial signs are very good.
The launch of the site is just another step on our journey as we build a leading Brand in the home improvement industry. What I like about it is the opportunity it gives us to build content that our customers will really enjoy and find useful. At present our new site is in it's infancy but we have exciting plans for it's future.
Now with the launch behind us we are working on producing content monthly to build the site. To drive traffic to any site today you need quality content. Google wants to see sites with good quality content ranking so as to provide their users with the best quality search experience possible. They are the number one search engine and they want to stay there.
Maybe a lesson for us all. Giving your customers the best experience possible when dealing with you, no matter what industry you are in, will keep them coming back.
As we progress through December we look forward to our Annual Convention in New Orleans at the end of January. That will prove to be another milestone for the company as our top performers come together to, network, meet vendors, hear of new programs and discuss our future strategies.

Take a look at our new site www.housedoctors.com and please let me know what you think.

Remodeling numbers good news for handyman business

The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) continued to climb in the third quarter of 2013 rising another two points. This is the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). I believe this is another sign of a strengthening economy and good news for anyone considering a handyman business.

Improving economy is good news for handyman and remodeling franchises

The RMI's current market conditions index rose from 54 in the previous quarter to 58.
You know this is the highest reading since the creation of the RMI in 2001.
What does that mean? For those not familiar with the RMI it's an indicator of remodeling activity and confidence. Being above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher as opposed to reporting it lower.
Increasing home equity and home sales, and a strengthening economy, definitely have an impact. We see it in our own network. Across the country our franchisees are producing some great numbers.

The exciting thing is that all of the three major components of the RMI's market conditions index increased in the third quarter. Minor additions and repairs increased from 55 to 58 while maintenance and repairs increased from 57 to 59. Even major additions and alterations increased from 51 to 55.

The growth in home equity and home sales has given home owners confidence to remodel, repair and do handyman upgrades that they had put off during the tough times.We expect the demand for remodeling services to continue to increase however at a more gradual pace as the housing recovery makes progress.

Do you think this is a good sign?

Entrepreneur, baby boomer and now handyman franchisor

Welcome to the entrepreneur and baby boomer club. I have lived and worked in four different countries, owned businesses in three, was born in Scotland, immigrated to Canada at age forty six, came to the U.S. at age fifty two and bought House Doctors at age fifty seven. I think that entitles me to be a member of the entrepreneurial baby boomer club and now I'm a handyman franchisor

Harris Poll says 90% agree entrepreneurship driver of economic growth

You know in a recent Harris Nationwide poll an overwhelming 90 percent of Americans surveyed agreed entrepreneurship was a driver of economic growth in the US. That is a very strong endorsement of the importance of new-business creation in the U.S.
When a poll is so overwhelming in its findings we should take notice. As a franchisor I'm lucky enough to see the impact entrepreneurs have on the economy every day. We open two new franchises a month. Each new franchise employs three people. Then they grow and employ six, seven, maybe ten staff. We're planning to open three to four hundred of these franchises in the U.S. Remember that there are thousands of other franchise companies in the U.S. thinking the same way.

The survey, sponsored by the non-profit Center for Productive Longevity in Colorado also found 87 percent of all adults surveyed agreed small-business success was important for the future of the U.S. economy while 63 percent said people over fifty should be encouraged to start a new business
We're finding more and more baby boomers are interested in the House Doctors franchise. The tough times over the last few years have created a huge pool of potential entrepreneurs who will make great small business owners. Many from the corporate world had a successful career working for someone else, now they have the opportunity, experience, and skills, to do something for themselves.
99 million Americans are over 50 and I believe that entrepreneurship is a viable option for many of them.
It may be the last positive impact that us baby boomers can have on society. Many of us have the same attitude. We want to continue to contribute to the world as opposed to drawing from it.

Do you think us baby boomers can still have an impact?

Remodeling numbers good for handyman franchise

Zillow Digs Home Improvement Survey in September showed 52% planning to remodel in the fall. Those numbers are still remaining strong as we head towards Winter. Our professional handyman and home improvement franchisees are still keeping very busy as people are still planning to remodel before the year end.

Final quarter always strong in handyman business

Since I've been involved in this industry I've always seen strong fourth quarters. It starts off getting busier in September then builds up momentum before slowing down just before the holiday period.
This year seems no different with many franchisees recording record revenue numbers.
The Zillow Digs survey in September was showing at that time that more than half their homeowners were planning to make a home improvement this fall.
According to the survey the most popular rooms for remodels would be the home office and playrooms and we are finding that as the monthly data comes in from our network.
The survey has been right so far. We are continuing to see strong growth and the data we pull from  shows more technicians working on indoor remodeling projects another point the survey raised.
Not surprisingly one more interesting observation of the survey was that more than one-third of homeowners listed the most popular sources for ideas for home improvements to be online.
Around 48 per cent of younger homeowners and 47 percent of homes with children found their inspiration online. This trend of looking online for ideas is definitely growing. I remember that not long ago we didn't trust anything that we read or saw on the internet. How quick things seem to change especially when technology is involved.
Sites like Zillow Digs do a great job of helping homeowners get inspired. At House Doctors, we recently launched our new website www.housedoctors.com. It too includes more images and visuals and a gallery and ideas page for customers to view. We are not quite at the Zillow Digs level but it's a start.
The Zillow Digs survey also shows homes with children more likely to be planning three or more home improvements (median spend of $1,500) as opposed to homes without children ($1,000). Overall, younger homeowners and homes with children are significantly more likely to be planning a home improvement. All very interesting data.
What do you think?

New Jersey homebuilder grows home repairs franchise

Here's more information on another House Doctors franchisee. I hope you find it interesting to read some information about our franchisees. As you can tell I'm excited to give you a little taste of what they are all about. We're proud to have John Barba on board. He is a New Jersey homebuilder who only this year won a prestigious Custom Home of The Year Award with his building company Barba Builders and is again finding success by offering clients in Morris home repairs and home improvements through his House Doctors franchise..

Third generation homebuilder grows home repairs and home improvements franchise

John tells us that Barba Builders clients were asking him if he could do smaller to mid size repairs and renovations because they couldn't find a company that offered the same service, quality and reliability that they had experienced with Barba Builders. John decided why re-invent the wheel. He would look for a franchise that already had the model and systems and procedures that would enable him to service the growing needs of his clients in that market space. So to cater to smaller to mid size repairs and renovations he opened House Doctors of Morris.
John is not new to the industry. He has over thirty years experience. He is a third generation builder. His grandfather came to the US and started building in 1913 developing not one successful building business but two.
John says that it was a proven business model, a Brand that was poised for growth and the right culture that attracted him to House Doctors.
He reckons one of the reasons that House Doctors is growing nationwide is because of the culture of continuously pushing for excellence, sticking to your word, maintaining a high degree of professionalism, and always doing what you say you're going to do.
John now reckons that across his two companies he can provide his clients with a full range of professional building services. Anything from home maintenance on the growing to do list, to smaller remodeling jobs or even a complete larger custom home building project John is confident he has it covered.
He is now able to offer his customers a whole house package backed by a level of service and reliability second to none. House Doctors of Morris is already being well received in his local community having won a coveted customer satisfaction award based on client feedback.

Is John on the right track with his business?

Texas engineer builds successful handyman franchise

Following on from my other posts on some of our successful handyman franchisees allow me to introduce Dave Mauldin. Dave had spent most of his career in information technology with Texas Instruments and Compaq before becoming a House Medic Franchisee. House Medic is our sister company that we use in some States as an alternative to House Doctors.

Texas Engineer runs home repair business in Austin

Dave who has made a successful transition to become a House Medic Franchisee now offers Austin residents professional handyman services, home repairs and home improvement services.
Dave was born and raised in Texas and after his successful corporate career he took an early retirement package and is now building a team of professional handymen who work on busy homeowners to do lists. Dave thinks that the need for professional handymen is obvious. Our population and our properties are aging.
He admits that when he started looking for a business he didn’t even know that a franchise in home repairs existed. House Medic handyman service is growing nationally by giving people like Dave the opportunity to get into business for themselves.
Dave says that he bought his House Medic because of the growing market and the professional model. He immediately hired a professional CSR, a great guy he has known for years, Markus. Dave's handymen are experienced, insured and screened and then trained to provide excellent customer service. His customers are then confident that the work performed on their home will be completed to the highest standard.
Dave will tell you that he felt all of his skill sets were a great match with House Medic. The culture in House Medic is to follow through with what is promised and not to let people down. Dave is building credibility in his business, with that approach, with support of his community and neighbors. He is building a company that people in his community can trust to do what they say.

Do you think Dave's approach to business is the right one?

6.4 % Home Value Increase Good For Home Repairs

The third quarter Zillow Real Estate Market Report shows the U.S. Zillow Home Value Index standing at $163,000 as of the end of the third quarter. This is a good pace for the market and good for home repairs, home improvements and a handyman franchise.

Home value pace good for home improvements

Report shows the home value index up by 6.4 percent  year-over-year and up 1.2 percent from the end of the second quarter, but unchanged from August. This is a good pace for recovery and keeps us out of the boom and bust cycle. This new pace of home value appreciation has even brought a number of markets back from the edge of entering possible bubble territory again. This pace is good for handyman services and home improvements. When people are confident that we have a growth that we can sustain they invest in their properties.

A steady annual sustained growth is what we want. People get nervous quickly now if we grow too fast. It may seem strange to say but sometimes its better if the pace of home value growth in some markets slows down. Remember what happened when increasing home values got out of control before. The data shows some markets like California for example have already touched on the edge of bubble market territory again and expensive metro areas that experienced relatively modest declines during the crash have already shown very robust gains during the recovery.
Across the country as recently as July, all of the top 30 metro areas showed positive monthly appreciation, with none exhibiting a monthly pace slower than one percent month-over-month.

People need to feel that we can sustain our growth. Confidence effects our economy more than some realize. It certainly effects the level of activity in the home improvement market. When people feel things are heading in the right direction they spend more on home remodeling projects. I believe we have come off the bottom and are at a sustainable level of growth in home values that should now continue for sometime as people become more confident with their decisions to buy and sell.

What do you think?

General Contractor Builds Handyman Franchise

Justin Bates has been in the Construction industry for 15 years. He even owned his own construction business doing residential homebuilding, additions, and other large projects. He is a licensed general contractor..So why did he decide to become a salt lake handyman and buy a home improvement franchise.

From general contractor to professional handyman

Justin shared with us why he decided with all of his industry experience to buy a House Doctors franchise. "It was the House Doctors Brand and culture that attracted me. I was looking for a proven business model that would cater to smaller jobs and a Brand that I felt was poised for growth. I found it with House Doctors. House Doctors is growing nationwide and one of the reasons for that I feel is the culture of continuously pushing for excellence, sticking to our word, maintaining a high degree of professionalism, and always doing what we say we are going to do. I feel homeowners are searching for a company that they can trust today. This is a growing market but very few companies in it are actually licensed or accredited to do the work. When you’re letting someone into your home to do a job, you need to know that they are competent in performing the work and that they are someone that you can trust."

The National Association of Remodeling (NARI) stats show less people moving and more fixing up their homes so home improvements is in a high growth mode. The need for professional companies in the smaller job market is strong but a lot of people still have had bad experiences when being let down by a contractor or handyman. That's where House Doctors is different. The House Doctors handymen are trained to provide excellent customer service and are insured and scheduled to turn up on time.

The House Doctors model is definitely working for Justin. He's growing a business by building a team of technicians who work on small jobs on home to-do lists, and all the way up to larger projects. He is becoming known as the go to guy for a Salt Lake City deck  Justin is now a preferred installer for TimberTech decks.
His business is booming and with the support of his Salt Lake City customers his franchise is now one of the fastest growing in the network. He is continuing to expand by introducing more products and services like bathroom remodeling to Salt Lake City.

Two New Handyman Franchisees share their excitement

When you start your new business it's understandable that the excitement is high. That's how
Tom Sullivan, a former principal engineer in the nuclear industry feels as he improves homes in Norwich, CT as one of our newest House Doctors handyman and home improvement  franchisees. Shawn Dillon another new handyman franchisee worked as a project specialist for Lowes before joining the House Doctors franchise. The franchise is now ranked as a leading remodeling business and one of America's fastest growing business opportunities today.

New Franchisee Backgrounds

As a former project manager, Tom is now using his skills to provide value to customers and bring security to his family. Tom shared this with me, "As a principal engineer in the nuclear industry, I was used to managing people. I needed a business where I could use those skills to build something not just for myself but for my family's future. House Doctors is that business. Why re-invent the wheel? Even with my experience, I still see the benefit of being part of a growing National Brand. This franchise has the right business model and the core beliefs and emphasis on service, quality and reliability that you have here aligns with what my work experience has instilled in me."

Shawn, 39, knows a bit about professional home repairs and improvements as he began working for his uncle in a remodeling business when he was 9 years old. His goal with House Doctors is to bring affordable reliable handyman services to residents in Fremont, Perrysburg, Oregon and other nearby areas in Northwest Ohio. Shawn told me, "Homeowners can have difficulty finding a reliable contractor. That's exactly where I see House Doctors coming in. If we only hire experienced handymen and train them to provide excellent customer service and insure and bond them homeowners can be confident that the work performed on their home will be completed to the highest level of professional quality."
Shawn like Tom is enthusiastic to service his local community through building a trustworthy and reliable home improvement and handyman company. Both realize with the aging housing stock and more and more homeowners deciding to stay in their homes longer there is a growing need for repairs, improvements and modifications.
They both see a growing need for aging in place products like home modifications and improvements to help people live safely and comfortably in their homes.

Great news for remodeling, less foreclosure activity

While all of our eyes were focused on the goings on with our Government a small fact seems to have been overlooked. September was the 36th consecutive month with an annual decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity, a downward trend that started in October 2010. This is great news for a handyman and remodeling business and the home improvement market in general.

Lower foreclosure activity good news for remodeling market

National Mortgage Professional reports that RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for September shows foreclosure filings such as default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, were reported on 131,232 U.S. properties in September, a 27 percent decrease from a year ago. This is great news for the handyman and home improvement market. Even if people are not planning on selling their home anytime soon they may be interested in repairing and improving it. First and foremost less foreclosures is great to see for it is a decrease in the personal heartache and suffering of those who go through the foreclosure process. Secondly with less foreclosures everyone feels better about from having less poorly maintained properties in a neighborhood

At House Doctors we have just launched our new website to take advantage of the growing home improvement market and this reduction in foreclosures will just add to an already booming niche.
September numbers helped drop third quarter foreclosure activity to the lowest quarterly level since the second quarter of 2007. There were a total of 376,931 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in the third quarter of 2013, down seven percent from the previous quarter and down 29 percent from the third quarter of 2012. This is the biggest annual decrease since the second quarter of 2011.
Let's face it less foreclosures usually means less crime, higher home values and less competition when you come to sell. This all leads to a healthier housing market, more home improvements, and a stronger economy.
U.S. foreclosure starts in the third quarter were at a seven-year low. A total of 174,366 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process for the first time during the quarter, down 13 percent from the previous quarter and down 39 percent from a year ago to the lowest level since the second quarter of 2006.

Handyman services made easy with technology

With improvements in communication, and other technological innovations and the advent of social media House Doctors aims to use the latest advances in technology to help make handyman services and home improvements easier for our customers. We have just launched our new website that is more inviting, easier to navigate, displays our products and services better and improves the process for our customers when they need to find a location and request service

Successful House Doctors site launch

All site launches don't go well. Last week the other major site launched by the Government didn't perform well. I'm glad to say ours was very successful. We have almost doubled our daily visits already.
The successful launch of the House Doctors website is just the first of a number of new initiatives that House Doctors Corporate is working on that will benefit the franchisees and the Brand in the future. Like a number of leading companies we are finding ways to use new technology to improve our systems and procedures.
Think about it we are in the business of helping people and making their lives easier. We maintain and improve their homes. We offer services that can simplify lives. We plan to use technology to help make the process of using us as seamless as possible. Hiring a handyman or contractor that you can rely on has been difficult in the past. Through our new website it's now easy for homeowners to find a trusted, reliable handyman or remodeler.
But our use of latest technology doesn't stop there. At House Doctors our franchisees use the latest on line scheduling software, smartphones and mobile presentation devices, to offer our customers the best home improvement customer experience in the market today.
Technology continues to increasingly impact our lives every day. Think about when you wake up to your alarm, then check your schedule, read your email or text, check the weather, traffic, flights, leave a message, and use your camera and your apps...and all of that from your phone!

In the business world, like House Doctors, many leading companies are introducing the new technology to help them better serve their customers.

Handyman services can help reduce falls

A growing market for a professional handyman company is making simple modifications to homes to make them safer and to help reduce the number of falls. As National Fall Awareness Week ends, numbers show that one third of seniors who are over the age of 65 and one half who are over the age of 80 will fall each year resulting in much pain and suffering and medical costs exceeding $27 billion annually.

Simple home modifications can help

This subject is close to my heart. I lived through it when my own mum fell when she was later on in life. We need to raise awareness of the simple home modifications available that would help reduce the risk.
The pain and the suffering and then the emotional decisions that you need to make afterwards about the persons safety going forward. National Fall Awareness Week raises awareness for a short time but we need to have this subject up front and center all year round. It's really annoying for example that most falls in the home can be prevented by doing some simple modifications.
In 2013, communities in 47 states and Washington, DC participated in Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 22, 2013.The National Council for Aging is working hard to raise awareness and prevent falls by uniting professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in getting people talking about the issue.
As far as a professional handyman company is concerned, the fact that more than a third of falls happen while bathing or showering, and more than 14 percent happen while using a toilet means something as simple as having grab bars fitted or installing a walk in tub in your bathroom can dramatically lower the risk of falling. All work that a professional handyman company can do.
Our franchisees in House Doctors for example have their technicians working on modifying homes to make them safer by adding grab bars and installing walk in tubs monthly.

Please let me know if this is an important issue for you.

Rising Rates Not Holding Home Improvements Back

The pent up demand for House Doctors handyman services, remodeling and home improvements means our franchisees are experiencing good growth as figures released just last week by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau show housing production nationwide continuing to rise despite rate increases. We maybe at the other end of the housing industry in that we improve and repair existing homes but we are always monitoring any changes in the market to see what impact they may have on our franchise network.We are finding that recent rate increases are not having a negative impact on remodeling or the need for handyman services either.

House production continues to rise

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau show housing production rose by 0.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 891,000 units in August. Increases in single-family starts, up by seven percent to 628,000 were the main reason behind the increased housing production in August. Regionally, single-family starts activity rose 9.6 percent in the Northeast, 7.1 percent in the Midwest, 2.3 percent in the South and 17.5 percent in the West.This report means builders are now seeing the pent up demand that we have witnessed in remodeling and home repairs for most of this year. We have seen an improvement over the year in homeowners confidence with many customers now interested in bigger projects.

This is all very encouraging with neither segment of the market being hindered by rising interest rates. With this pent up demand now is the time to consider a handyman services and remodeling franchise. Our top franchisees are growing at a fast pace with same store sales growth of 20 percent  With this strong market growth we are looking to open another 40 franchises over the next year.

Why do you think our market is so strong?

Franchise generates revenue making homes energy efficient

A remodeling franchise can generate additional revenue by making homes more energy efficient for their customers. Data from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) shows energy consumption in homes steadily declining over the last 10 years with newer homes being more energy efficient. However many older homes still need a lot of work done on them to reduce their energy consumption. As energy costs increase there is the opportunity for remodeling franchises, home improvement franchises or handyman franchises.

Survey shows change in leading energy consumer in homes

Data from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey shows that appliances, electronics, lighting and water heating have now overtaken home heating and cooling as the number one energy consumer in our households.
Energy consumption varies across the country and you can check the average consumption in 16 States through RECS. The survey also shows that newer homes consume about the same energy as older ones although they are as much as 30% larger.
At House Doctors our technicians regularly work on energy inefficient homes especially the older ones and improving energy efficiency throughout homes is something we should all strive for. It doesn't need to cost a fortune to start saving money.There are a number of smaller home improvements that can be done to make customers homes more energy efficient. Did you know that households can save 20-30% on energy bills by implementing simple home improvements?
Franchisee's handymen can complete simple weatherization and energy efficiency repairs that helps customers save money.

What's the easiest small repair you have done to improve the energy efficiency of your home?

Improving home equity good news for remodeling franchise

Over the Summer as home values continued to rise, the national negative equity rate continued to fall.
This is more important for handyman franchises, home improvement franchises and remodeling franchises than many people realize. When the equity in homeowners properties increase they feel more confident in having the necessary home repairs and maintenance done and they start to consider remodeling and home improvements.

Negative equity rate falling good news for remodeling franchise

 

Negative equity dropped to 23.8 percent of all homeowners with a mortgage, according to the second quarter Zillow Negative Equity Report. This signals better times ahead for home improvement and remodeling franchises.
Median home prices are now increasing monthly in many areas reducing the size of the negative equity hole many people found themselves in. We have a lot of catching up to do but things are now heading in the right direction. This is good news for confidence, the economy and the home improvement market. At House Doctors many of our franchisees are already experiencing double digit increases this year.
The recent July data from RealtyTrac shows 2013 U.S. Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report, which shows that U.S. residential properties sold at an estimated annualized pace of 5.5 million in July 2013, up four percent from the previous month and up 11 percent from a year ago—the biggest annual increase in sales volume so far this year. California Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia posted the four biggest annual increases in median home prices in July: California (up 31 percent); Nevada (up 27 percent); Arizona (up 21 percent); and Georgia (up 20 percent).
A strong housing market can have such an impact on the US economy. We see it in our business. Handyman services, home improvements and remodeling increase as negative equity decreases. Improving home values can prove to be the kick start the economy needs.
According to RealtyTrac the national median sales price was $174,500 in July, up four percent from the previous month and up six percent from a year ago—the 16th consecutive month where median home prices nationwide have increased annually after.

Do you think improving home equity is good for our market? Please let me know.

Big Box Sales Increase Impacts Remodeling Franchises

Last week retailers Home Depot reported their first double-digit comparable sales increase since 1999. Lowe’s also reported a 9.6% increase. Is do it yourself taking off again or does this mean more work for handyman franchisees with House Doctors Remodeling?

The 3 different customers that visit Home Depot and Lowes

Home Depot and Lowes market products to;-

1) Home owners who tackle their own home improvements (DIY)

2) Home Owners who hire professionals to install the products (DIFM)

3) Professional contractors who choose the products to install for their customers.

At House Doctors Home Improvement Service we see the improving housing market definitely making a difference. Home Depot and Lowes are big players in product sales. Our franchisees are big players in product installation. When Home Depot and Lowes sell their products it creates a ripple effect. Many of our franchisees are experiencing double digit growth.
The increasing business seems to be coming from all three categories DIY, DIFM, and professional contractors. Sales of products to remodeling companies and contractors is the largest revenue generator for Home Depot, with almost double the sales of the DIY customers.
Our franchisees have customers who come from two of the segments the big box retailers target. Some of our customers purchase products then hire our professional handymen to install them (DIFM) and others have our franchisees recommend a product as part of the remodeling service we offer.

Small Business confidence edging higher - good for franchising

Whether you are looking at starting a fast food franchise, a handyman franchise or a remodeling franchise recent news that small business confidence is improving is good news for franchising. Combine that with the fact that another recent study shows the positive impact that entrepreneurs are having on the creation of wealth in the world and now may be the time for you to move forward with your business ownership.

Small Business Confidence Edges Higher As Entrepreneurs Help Create World Wealth

In July the National Federation of Independent Business report on small business optimism edged up to 94.1 from 93.5 as the 17th volume of Barclays Wealth Insights, the study on the changing order of wealth creation shows that entrepreneurship is one of the leading creators of wealth in the world.
In my view these studies show that:-

1) Small businesses in the US are starting to feel good about where we are heading
and
2) The success of these enterprises have a dramatic impact on not only our own economy but also the world's economy.

This is also good news for franchising. Franchising is the gateway to small business ownership for many entrepreneurs. The survey showing confidence returning to the small business community is great news but not only that we also have a separate report telling us that entrepreneurship is now being recognized as one of the dominant creators of world wealth.

U.S. Needs More Entrepreneurs

We need more entrepreneurs. The age of American wealth being created by the entrepreneur may be coming to an end. The picture may be changing with America falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to creating entrepreneurial wealth. The study from Barclays, "Origins and Legacy the Changing Order of Wealth Creation," finds that the developing countries now lead the U.S. when it comes to wealth creation by entrepreneurs. One major reason seems to be that the U.S. is further along in the wealth cycle and has a much longer history of wealth creation while the up and coming countries still have first generation entrepreneurs.

America was founded by innovators and risk-takers, early entrepreneurs willing to sacrifice a certain way of life and working hard to create a better opportunity. At our remodeling franchise we see that same entrepreneurial spirit in action everyday through our franchisees.

Please let me know what you think.

Remodeling Franchise Finds Market Good For Business

This market is good news for a remodeling franchise. The latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors® shows median home prices continuing to rise in the majority of metropolitan areas in the second quarter.The improving housing market means more home improvements because confidence is returning and homeowners are again interested in maintaining and improving their properties. This increased interest in home improvements has led to many of our remodeling franchisees seeing double digit gains already this year.

Direct link between rising home prices and increased spending on remodeling projects.

The improving housing market has a positive effect on many home improvement businesses. For example at House Doctors we see a direct link between rising home prices and increased spending on remodeling projects.The NAR data shows the national median existing single-family home price was $203,500 in the second quarter, up 12.2 percent from $181,300 in the second quarter of 2012. In the first quarter the median price rose 11.3 percent from a year earlier.
For an area by area comparison see the NAR map http://www.realtor.org/topics/metropolitan-median-area-prices-and-affordability/data showing median prices across the US.

Homeowners realize that a remodel can be a good way to increase the value of a home in a growing market. One way of getting a cost versus value comparison of remodeling projects in different areas of the country is to use a tool available from Remodeling Magazine. The tool compares the National average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects across the country with the value those projects are expected to retain at resale.

Strong remodeling spending brings handyman franchise growth

House Doctors, our handyman and home improvement franchise, is growing at an unprecedented rate as a study from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University shows that the general strengthening in the housing market over the past 18 months is translating into increasing spending on remodeling.

Latest remodeling activity data and information 

The latest data from the leading indicator of remodeling activity (LIRA) continues to show improving spending trends that are solid and on an upward slope. Projections also show a continued strengthening of the market through the end of this year and into the first quarter of 2014.
The LIRA is released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University in the third week after each quarter’s closing. The LIRA is a comprehensive study of the factors influencing the growth and changing characteristics of housing renovation and repair activity in the United States. The next LIRA release date is October 17, 2013.

Latest handyman and home improvement franchise data and information

At House Doctors we are seeing the fastest growth in years. Four new franchisees recently came through training for openings in Tennessee, Connecticut, Ohio and Michigan. Another six are already scheduled to come on board in the next couple of months and a number of others are already in the pipeline. Homeowners are more comfortable investing in their properties right now as consumer confidence returns and the growth in sales of existing homes increases. Continuing strengthening in the economy is leading to increasing spending levels on renovations and upgrades.

The growth in home sales and the rapid and steady growth in property modifications and maintenance we are seeing is providing more opportunities for our franchisees. Our model meets all of the requirements of busy professionals and aging boomers who need home repairs and home improvements done."

For more than 15 years we have brought homeowners and commercial property owners high standards of customer service, reliability, and quality workmanship. Every one of our locations is independently owned and operated. Today, we continue to expand throughout the United States by offering franchise opportunities

Baby boomers driving growth for handyman franchises

As baby boomers age they are growing the market for handyman franchisees. They start to think about modifying their homes for health, comfort and safety reasons. If people can do something to make things easier or safer in their homes as they age it just makes good sense to do it. Today's boomers definitely think more about their health and comfortable living as they near and enter retirement simply because many have already seen older relatives and friends age. This is providing great opportunities for handyman franchises.

Poll confirms health more important than finance for younger boomers

The Fourth Annual RBC Retirement Myths & Realities Poll shows maintaining health is more important than finances to Canada's younger boomers (aged 50-59) and maintaining that good health by improving safety and comfort in their homes is important to them. .
A handyman franchise and home improvement franchise can offer seniors and boomers services that can help them modify their homes in efforts to maintain health and lifestyle as they age. This aging in place market is one of the niches driving growth of House Doctors. The RBC poll shows what is important to boomers as they age and explains why the aging in place market where homeowners modify their homes to help them continue to live safely and comfortably in them as they grow older, is now rated by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry. Seniors and aging boomers nearing retirement who are modifying their homes are having a major impact on handyman franchises and home improvement franchises. As the population ages the 'aging in place' market will continue to grow and play a major part in your franchise.

Check out our latest press release on this topic http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10978704.htm

Improve Air Quality With A Handyman Franchise

Franchisees with our handyman franchise or a home improvement franchise now have the opportunity to improve indoor air quality.
Recently at House Doctors Handyman Service we announced a new partnership with Tamarack the creator of the modern whole house fan and a leading ventilation product provider so their franchisees can install products that will help make homes healthier. Now House Doctors franchisees will be able to install Tamarack products to help customers improve the air quality in their homes.

Improve air quality with your handyman franchise

There are pollutants everywhere like chemicals, gases, and even living organisms like mold and pests. But did you know that one of the worst places to breathe in polluted air is in your home. As more and more people become aware of this the market for installing good ventilation is increasing. People want to improve their indoor air quality.
House Doctors handyman service franchisees are now able to install products from Tamarack, the leading ventilation product manufacturer. The professional handyman service franchise is now offering customers a range of products that can help with home ventilation thus improving air quality in homes.
Whole house fans, exhaust and ventilation fans can help improve ventilation in all sorts of rooms from basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces, attics, garages, kitchens, and many more.

Read the press release on the new partnership http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10966997.htm

Please let us know what you feel about today's indoor air quality?

Cincinnati franchise company expands

Information to help you decide if a House Doctors handyman franchise in Cincinnati would be a good fit for you. Our Cincinnati franchise company House Doctors continues to grow its franchise network by adding another 3 new franchisees in Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio recently and the Cincinnati market still has available territory for anyone who is interested in building a professional handyman and home improvement business.

Cincinnati franchise opportunity

Cincinnati is a great city for this type of business. We have successful franchisees building great businesses in similar markets throughout the U.S. House Doctors is growing and we have plans to open a further 10 franchisees over the next few months. Our Corporate Office is located here in Milford just East of Cincinnati so support would be on your door step.
In our franchise franchisees do not swing a hammer but manage the business. They schedule their technicians to go out to work on the to do lists of busy homeowners. Les people are moving more are fixing up their homes. Less people have the skills to do this work. The aging housing stock and the aging population are increasing the size of our market. The opportunity is huge and growing.

Take a look at two of our latest press releases:-

Job Data Shows Improving Economy As House Doctors Handyman Service Plans 10 New Franchise Openings http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10854521.htm

House Doctors Handyman Franchise Revenue Climbs As 60 Percent of Homeowners Plan Summer Home Improvement Projects http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/6/prweb10884801.htm

3 new handyman framchisees join House Doctors

We have just completed training for 3 new franchisees. They will launch their business in August. We have another 7 prospective franchisees moving through our discovery process. Our August new franchise training class will see at least another 3 franchisees join us then. This short post will give you some background information on our newest franchisees and why they decided to buy the House Doctors handyman franchise.

You undersell yourselves.....

"You undersell yourselves." That was a comment one of our newest franchisees made after spending a week with us on his initial training. Sean is a former manager with Lowes and as such had been through numerous training programs in the past so he had a good idea what to expect. But we are a company that is constantly working hard to continually improve our model and the training associated with it. We coach our franchisees on how to astound the customer so we're very happy when a new franchisee notices the standards that we are already achieving at corporate.

Our newest training class of franchisees came from Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio. So if you live in these States keep a look out for a House Doctors franchise opening there soon. All franchisees in the July training class came from different backgrounds, each one had a very different career path to get here but all three did have some things in common.

A former Marine with Project Management experience, a former Lowes Manager, a former House Builder. Varied backgrounds but all three had a goal of building a business that would become an asset for themselves. They all wanted to control their own destiny and have financial freedom through building something they could be proud of, the best business of its kind in their local community.

In our model our franchisees manage the business and do not swing the hammer. That was important to all three. They all saw the need of bringing professionalism to the handyman and home improvement industry. They all saw the increased opportunities being created through aging in place and energy efficiency. All three saw great opportunity to build their vision through the House Doctors whole house  model.

 

Take a look at our home improvements just got easier video to see how our model works for customers.
Take a look at our latest Press Release http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10854521.htm

A handyman franchise can make bathrooms safer for seniors

If you want a franchise where you can feel good about what you do why not start a House Doctors handyman franchise. Research shows that the older population want to stay in their own homes as they age, Research also shows that section of the population is at a higher risk of falling. House Doctors handyman service franchisees are now able to offer modifications that can be done in homes to increase safety for the elderly.

                   

Franchisees can now make bathrooms safer for the elderly

American Association of Retired Persons research shows 90% of the older population want to stay in their own homes as they age. While research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the older population is at high risk of falling. House Doctors has partnered with Safeway Safety Step and Grabcessories so their franchisees are able to install their products improving safety in the bathroom for their customers and helping them live more comfortably in their homes.

Safeway Safety Step an Ohio company offers multiple bath accessibility products to provide easier accessibility to existing bathtubs.The Safeway Tub Door® and the Safeway Step®products help to prevent falls.
Grabcessories offers a range of beautiful yet affordable grab bars designed to prevent falls and enhance mobility to ensure independent living for a lifetime.

With the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) repor reporting modification for aging-in-place as the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry today House Doctors see this as another growth niche for our franchisees.

For more information on the House Doctors franchise please visit http://www.housedoctorshandymanfranchise.com/#!home-improvement-industry/c1uh8

 

                                                                

 

 

 

House Doctors handyman and home improvement services

At House Doctors professional handyman franchise we have a whole house approach when offering handyman services to our customers. While our franchisees have technicians working on their customers to do lists we are more than just a handyman company. Many of our franchisees build decks, remodel bathrooms and kitchens and finish basements. This post contains a list of more of the services a House Doctors handyman home improvement franchise business would offer.

Actual Jobs Completed By House Doctors

Drywall, Bathroom upgrades, Closet & garage organizers, Flooring, Window replacement, Whole house Fans, Lights, Faucets, Gutters, Driveways,Repair drywall,Window repair,Repair floor,Repair walls, Replace tile, Fix steps, Change faucet, Grout/Caulk, Repair door, Siding, Replace window, Fix hinges, Mailboxes, Hauling, Cleaning, Yard work, Power washing, Installing products, Building products, Shelving, Closets, Railings, Counters, Molding, Clean out garage, Move furniture
Baby-proofing, Door replacement, Decks, Porches, awnings ,Patios, Basements, Kitchen upgrades, Ramps, Pet doors, Tiling, Assembly, Gutter cleaning, Painting, and much much more...

For more information visit www.housedoctors.com

Need for handyman services is growing

To do lists are growing. The home repairs, maintenance and home improvement market is listed as a market that will never go away. The aging housing stock and aging population ensure that it will always be here. Whether its a deck repair or a drywall repair, fitting a grab bar or building a ramp. The demand for handyman services will continue to expand throughout the country. House Doctors is perfectly placed to build teams of handymen who will repair, replace and remodel homes. The franchisee however does not swing the hammer. He manages the business and has his handymen do the work.

 

A list of typical services House Doctors handymen work on

Appliance Installations Assembling Basement Bathroom Repairs & Remodeling Blind / Curtain Installation Carpentry by a professional handyman Carpeting Caulking Ceramic Tile Ceiling Fan Installation Closet Organizers Countertops Deck Repair Deck Maintenance Dimmer Switches Door Installation / Repair Doorbell Installation / Repair Door Jambs Drywall Repair Ductwork Fascia / Soffit Repairs Fan Installation / Repairs Faucet Install / Replace Fence and Gates Filter Replacements Flood Lights Flooring: hardwood, vinyl, tile Garage Maintenance

Grouting by a professional handyman Gutter Repair and Cleaning Grab Rail Installation Handicap Accessibility Hanging Pictures Insulation Light Fixtures Locks Kitchen Installations / Repairs Molding and Trim Painting by a professional handyman Porches Pressure Washing Ramps Screen Door Installation / Repair Shelving Shutters Shower / Tub Seats Siding Sinks Storm Windows Vents Walk-in Tubs Weather Stripping Windows Yard Maintenance Wood Repair / Wood Rot And Much, Much MORE

New handyman services come to Johnson City

Our newest handyman franchise owner Tony Woods now brings affordable handyman services and home improvement services to homeowners in Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol. Homeowners who need home repairs, deck repairs, door repairs and more and may have had difficulty finding a reliable contractor in the past need look no further. House Doctors handymen are trained to provide excellent customer service and are passionate about making home improvements easier for home and property owners across Eastern Tennessee.

Former food service industry manager latest to start professional handyman franchise

After spending 27 years in the food service industry our newest franchisee Tony Woods has opened in Johnson City. Tony is enthusiastic to service the Tri-Cities community through building a trustworthy and reliable home improvement and handyman service in Johnson City and surrounding areas. “With the aging housing stock and more and more homeowners deciding to stay in their homes longer there is a growing need for repairs, improvements and modifications. Our experienced, insured and uniformed handymen turn up on time prepared to complete your project to your satisfaction. From deck repairs and door repairs to light remodeling projects like bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels, we can do it all!” Tony also sees a growing need for aging in place products such as installing grab bars and access ramps. “With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day, the need for home modifications and improvements to help people live safely and comfortably in their homes is growing everyday", says Woods. In addition to providing quality home repairs and improvements, House Doctors also offers a guarantee on every job they perform giving their customers confidence and peace of mind and since every House Doctors technician is insured, screened and experienced, homeowners can be confident that the work performed on their home will be completed to the highest level of professional quality. That's the House Doctors guarantee.

For more info visit www.housedoctors.com

Timing is right for Cincinnati franchise

Thinking about a Cincinnati franchise? Why not consider a professional handyman or home improvement franchise in Cincinnati? House Doctors Corporate Office is located in Milford, Cincinnati and we are looking for a number of franchisees in this area. Cincinnati is a huge market for this type of business but if you are still unsure then drive around some of our local sub divisions and see the amount of contractor's vans that are parked in driveways.

Zillow survey says the timing couldn't be better to start your Cincinnati franchise

A recent survey by Zillow shows 60% of home owners are planning to do home improvements this Summer.

Cincinnati has many residents that fit the Zillow homeowner demographics. Here are some interesting stats from the survey for spending just this Summer.

• Younger homeowners expect to spend more
• Homes with children expect to spend more
• 54 and younger homeowners expect to spend $1500
• 55 and older homeowners expect to spend $1,000
• Many are planning as many as three or more home improvements.

Zillow also provides an idea of projects that the homeowners in Cincinnati would have in mind.
Some of the most popular summer home improvement projects are outdoor spaces (40 percent) and bathrooms (17 percent).

There is a pent up demand for home repairs and home improvements in every major City in north America including Cincinnati. Home owners have put off necessary home maintenance in Cincinnati over the last few years. Today less people are moving and more homeowners are choosing to stay in their homes and invest in home improvements. Many of our franchisees across the US are now booked out two and three weeks such is the demand.

To read the full Zillow release http://zillow.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=159&item=360
For more info on House Doctors http://www.housedoctorshandymanfranchise.com/#!cincinnati-franchise/c7ip
 

Time to start handyman & home improvement franchise

Now the Summer is here this is the ideal time to start your professional handyman & home improvement franchise. Many homeowners at this time of year turn their minds to long warm nights and indoor and outdoor recreation and fun. Now is the time they plan to enjoy their property but that often means first considering home repairs and home improvements.

Survey shows 60% planning home improvements

At this time of year everyone seems to need a reliable company to help them with their necessary home repairs and home improvements. This year that trend seems to be even stronger. Many of our House Doctors franchisees are experiencing double digit growth over last year.

A recent survey by Zillow Digs shows 60 percent of homeowners are planning summer home improvement projects.
The survey also provides some insight into the demographic and household makeup of the homeowners and what kinds of projects they have in mind:

•Younger homeowners and homes with children are significantly more likely to be planning a home improvement this summer and perhaps as many as three or more home improvements.

•Homeowners plan to spend a median of $1,200 on summer home improvement projects.

•Homes with children as well as homeowners 54 and younger plan to spend one-third more ($1,500) compared with homes without children and those 55 and older ($1,000).

•Some of the most popular summer home improvement projects are outdoor spaces (40 percent) and bathrooms (17 percent).

Today less people are moving. More homeowners are choosing to stay in their homes and invest in home improvements. Many of our franchisees are now booked two and three weeks in advance such is the demand at this time of year. If you are considering a handyman or home improvement franchise now is the time to start your business.

For more info on Zillow please visit http://www.zillowblog.com/research/
For more info on House Doctors franchises visit http://www.housedoctorshandymanfranchise.com/#

Corporate to franchisee how easy is it?

If someone is considering leaving the Corporate world and starting a handyman franchise what changes should they expect. Why buy a franchise at all if they have all that corporate experience? How will their role in the franchise be any different from their previous responsibilities? What role does the franchisor play in their business? What are the advantages to someone from the corporate world buying a franchise?

Changing career can be daunting

If you are considering changing your career or being forced to change because of your company downsizing the prospect can be frightening. If you are considering a franchise what will you find different running this business as opposed to what you did before when you were employed by someone else. This post looks at pros and cons of becoming self employed and running your own business.

The franchise model works well for ex-corporates

One thing is certain for those who have been used to having a corporate support structure to call on in their previous career the franchise business model offers an easier transition to self employment. Working in a corporate environment normally allows you to call on others to support you as you complete your tasks. The great thing about a good franchise system is that you do not lose that. You have a corporate team both in operations and marketing to call on to support your growth. The other thing is that in a franchise you are not re-inventing the wheel but following systems and procedures and a proven model that should enable you to build a successful business. Much again like the way you were working in a corporate environment. The one big difference is however that you are now working for yourself and not for an employer any success you achieve now is for yourself.

Knowing when to use your corporate experience

The experience you have gained in your previous career can be invaluable as you build your new business. People skills, team building abilities, financial planning, whatever you have learned in the past can prove beneficial in your new business. However remember it's best to learn from all the franchisor's training and listen to their advice when they give it. Normally they have learned from previous franchisees what works and what doesn't. You are not there to re-invent the wheel but to follow a proven system. If you didn't think that system would work in your marketplace why did you buy the franchise in the first place.

Let me know what you think?

 

Handyman franchise video plays 2 roles

In today's world videos whether handyman franchise videos or not have become more and more important since the introduction of http://www.youtube.com/ Everywhere you look someone has a camera and there are videos explaining or introducing all types of things, some are good videos and some are not so good. Well your handyman franchise is no different and looking at the latest video from the franchisor's marketing department should tell you a lot about their culture, direction and vision. When investigating any franchise take at look at what they have available with this new video marketing media.

House Doctors handyman video plays 2 roles

We wanted our video at House Doctors to be professional, modern and to play 2 roles. We wanted to show our customers what we were all about and what we were trying to achieve as a company. We wanted to make home improvements and repairs easier for our customers.
The second role we wanted the video to play was to let prospective franchisees see what the House Doctors business model was all about and to explain our vision, culture and the direction we were heading.
We feel we hit the mark on all of the points and have had nothing but praise from franchisees, customers and prospective franchisees.

Please take a look and give me your opinion:-