Jims Mowing/VIP Lawn Mowing Franchises.

DH has been working in the same position for the same people since the day we met. He's come home from time to time saying he's over it but i always talk him into sticking it out. It's the security i think and they are good people to work for.

Lately he's been talking about a big change and possibly taking on a franchise in mowing. I don't want to talk him out of it anymore, there's a part of me that thinks maybe the change could be great for him/us. He's got many more years of work ahead of him i want him to be happy in what he's doing.

It has gotten to the point though where our family has grown and the cost of living is hard to keep up with. In his job there isnt much room for moving up and reciving much more than we already do. He works his butt off 6 days a week. He has been asking around and he has been told that there is a lot of work/money to be made in the business if you are willing to work for it. DH has not problem in working hard. So we're really starting to consider the possibility.

So anyone had any experience with Jims or VIP? Or any franchises at all? And what are the things we need to look into when considering if this is right for us or not?

I've already talked to him about how it will be a different strain on his body to what he gets now and that he'll have to be careful of his skin working out in the sun. And then at the other end of the weather scale how dependant the work will be on weather and getting through winters. Anything else??

Any help or suggestions would be great :)

A guy I used to work with left the company to buy a Hire-a-Hubby franchise.

From memory he said the process was quite smooth in applying etc.

He had to do up a proper 'business plan' with forcasts etc. I remember him saying he spoke with a financial planner type person to get all of the figures etc together.

There was a large outlay of cash to buy the franchise ($30,000 springs to mind??)

I kept in touch with him briefly after he had started and he said the first couple of weeks were tough on his body - getting used to working outside rather than sitting in an office. But last time I spoke to him, he was loving it. He was only working 3.5 days a week and earning well over $1000 p/w in that time.

Thanks Elocin, yes i think the outlay could be around what you have mentioned but then DH has also head that he could have the potential to be able to pick and choose hours, work less than he does now and earn quite a bit more. It would be so good if he was able to be there for a kids a bit more.

It sounds like it could be a good change for him :). It is worth looking into for sure. I'd suggest looking at how many other similar businesses there are in your area that he might be competing with. Also, have a chat to an accountant, they are great telling you what to look out for and what hidden costs are involved.

Don't forget to factor in the time it takes to market/advertise the business and also the time it takes to complete paperwork and chase up invoices etc. It's probably worth asking the companies you are interesting in how much time you should factor in for admin type stuff.

I don't know anyone who has bought into either of those franchises, but they are both very recognised names. We had friends who bought into a known cleaning/maintenance company and did really well. They went on to bigger and better things after a few years thanks to first buying into that franchise.

Good luck with decision making :D

A bit different but DH looked into a Jims Fencing franchise a few years ago, went to meetings and got all the info, then decided that going it alone was going to be better. Yes the outlay for business cards, registration, insurance, advertising was expensive but it wasn't anywhere near the amount for buying a franchise(Probably around $5-6K from memory as opposed to 30k - yes the work wasn't guaranteed but he wasn't out of work for one day from when he started advertising) . Word of mouth goes a long way and business and work began the minute the advertising did. I would look into both options, having a point of difference to other locals and then weighing it all up. Good luck! Sounds exciting!! Could he get a leave of absence with no pay from his work for say 6mths as security?? If he has been with them for a long time they might allow him some time???