Muppett

Hi - Does anyone know anyone who is a franchisee for Jims Mowing or VIP Services? Any info welcome please...........

smoggieswilltravel

Hi

My Brother in law is a Jim's Pool franchiser in Brisbane. Don't know about grass cutting with Jims though sorry. But I know that the grass cutters (poss not Jims) do a cracking business. B in law is doing well with the Pool stuff.

Santa

Read the local press, they always have adverts in the papers. If you want any information on mowing just shout.

Muppett

Thanks for the replies - OH is thinking about buying a lawn mowing round - be it private, via Jims or VIP. Just wanted some opinions other than the bumph you get from the companies themselves.

JAJ

Why not just set up your own lawn-moving service, and avoid paying a franchise fee? In other words, look hard at what value-added you are getting for what you are going to be paying.

Muppett

That's exactly what we have been discussing - after getting the info about the franchises, it seems an awful lot of money to fork out for franchise fees. Its good to get the info on running costs etc from these companies though to give us a heads up of the costs involved. OH also got more info from our own lawn mowing guy yesterday who has his own business.

NKSK version 2

Just out of interest, we have a franchise of sorts but we don't pay a franchise fee. (We act as exclusive distributors for the product.)
What kind of fee are we talking about for Jim's?

Muppett

Around $450 a month I think then lead fees as well which are around $6+ - not really sure how it all works but it seems to be a lot of money to fork out as it appears you can only work in the area you have the franchise for (and not anywhere outside of that area) that's if I understand it correctly.

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Was looking into this myself. Personally, wouldn't go with a franchised business. All you are paying for is the name (OK, this is a good thing I suppose), a bit of marketing and the customers loyalty. Any customer can up and off when ever it suits them. Too many restrictions also.

Harder work to start up on your own initially, but it pays dividends once established.

micged

If you are around the wembley Downs area we desperately need someone.
Michelle

Santa

If you read the paper adverts you'll find plenty of lawn mowing rounds for sale. Also check out the Lawn Mowing Contractors Association of Western Australia (they have a website) People are selling rounds on the website and also you'll get an idea of what you should expect to pay plus lots of information and help.
Set up costs can be quite high, my business and expenses have cost over $85000 so far, having said that I bought a business that had two gardeners, all equipment, trailer and a decent turnover. Since then I've bought 2 new mowers. A decent 28inch cylinder mower is about $5000 new and rotary mowers cost over $1000.

Good luck with everything
Mark

OzTennis

Yes, there are certain types of franchises which would seem to be worth the fee (even if it is hefty); garden services would not seem to be one of these to me. The figures quoted in this thread would not seem to be justified in terms of the trade you are likely to lose through not being well known immediately. In that line of business 'word of mouth' is your best promotional tool. Your van being seen on the job is your next best promotional tool. One guy with his own business in this area told me he gets an average of 7 enquiries from each job he does well and he also gets enquiries from people passing by while he is doing a job.

I'd reckon Jim's is a darn sight better for the franchisor than the franchisee!

OzTennis

FluffyTheCampfireSlayer

Anyone wanting to buy an existing round? Take a look at this link, loads for sale all over OZ:

http://www.indmowing.com.au/business_forsale.htm