Building and growing a great plumbing business takes teamwork. Even the most skilled and experienced plumber can’t operate efficiently without an extensive network of support that includes customer service, sales, marketing, technology and operations support, training and fleet management.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, with ongoing labor shortages and rising consumer demand for services, many plumbing contractors find themselves reaching a plateau. They know business in their existing market is available, or there are new markets to enter, but they don’t have the capital or staffing to take advantage of those opportunities.

When a plumber decides to explore more offerings, diversifying by adding a franchise to their existing business can jumpstart the process. With the proven systems and shared resources of a franchisor, business owners can jumpstart growth and open exciting new opportunities while minimizing the risk inherent in service expansion or capital investments.

A successful home service franchise offers sales and marketing systems similar to those employed by large national enterprises. These systems can be easily implemented and replicated over and over again, empowering contractors to focus on what they do best.

A plumbing company, for instance, could add a proven bath remodeling franchise to efficiently and productively expand its service offerings. Launching new remodel services on its own would require a major investment from most small or independent plumbing companies. It would also involve significant financial risk. Implementing a franchise system, on the other hand, can decrease the risk and streamline the process, enhancing the company’s profitability potential.

The power of franchise systems and support

A franchise offers access to a range of important resources, assets and services. The powerful tools franchise owners can leverage include brand awareness, buying power, existing vendor relationships, marketing resources, operations support and training.

Franchise systems are designed to help anyone quickly launch and operate a new business by liberating owners from the time-consuming administrative tasks that can overwhelm independent operators. Streamlining operations and administration is a proven method for kickstarting lead generation, sales and revenue. With more time and energy to think about the big picture, franchise owners are empowered to focus intently on sales and customer experience.

Adding a proven franchise system to an existing business expedites the process, powering even greater opportunities for rapid growth. Combining the resources and experience of an existing business with a franchise system puts new franchise owners ahead of the curve, allowing contractors to focus on execution and shortening the amount of time it takes to get up and running and start seeing profitability.

Bringing on a franchise service such as shower remodeling allows contractors to provide immediate expertise in a niche market by building on what they already do well and adding proven marketing and sales systems. Successful franchise sales systems are typically implemented and tested in a variety of markets and are designed to help owners achieve fundamental goals such as generating and closing leads, securing jobs and building repeat or recurring revenue that is critical to growth.

For a contractor in the home service space, adding specialized services via a franchise means the nuts and bolts of business operations are already accounted for. The addition of focused service offerings supported by franchise systems allows contractors to bring new revenue streams into their business with reduced risk and minimal investment of time and effort.

Finding the right franchise

Every home service franchise isn’t created equal. Prospective franchise owners, regardless of the industry, must commit to the research and due diligence required to find the right match for their experience, personality and goals.

That means reading about as many opportunities as possible. Working with an experienced franchise broker can streamline the process. An expert can quickly narrow the list of contenders down. Thorough research will include attending discovery days, closely reviewing disclosure documents and having candid, in-depth conversations with leadership and current franchise owners. Don’t leave any stones unturned before making your choice.

In many cases, adding a specialized, complementary franchise service to an existing business can be the best thing a small contractor could ever do. Many business owners have great skills in their trade, but they don’t have the sales and marketing insights that are necessary for sustained growth. Having repeatable sales systems is critical for success and growth in home services, but those systems are hard to build. Don’t be afraid of franchise opportunities. If you’re curious or looking for ways to accelerate your company’s growth, consider the benefits of a home service franchise.