Insulation specialist seeks franchisees

Insultech is essentially a mobile business. Photo / Supplied

Insulation solution specialist Insultech is seeking owner-operator franchisees throughout New Zealand with a particular emphasis on the Auckland and Christchurch areas, says Laurel McCulloch, franchise broker with Link Business Broking in Ellerslie, who is recruiting new franchisees for the company.

Insultech says it offers "a one-stop shop for insulation and energy-efficient heating products, which provide a total solution to home and building insulation problems".

"This a great business opportunity for motivated, practical people who are skilled with their hands and who have good customer-service skills along with an aptitude for marketing and sales," McCulloch says.

"A new franchisee can start an Insultech franchise as a one-man band operating from home and then hire staff or a contractor to undertake the physical installation as the business develops while they concentrate on scoping jobs, making recommendations about the best forms of insulation, pricing and office administration. Successful franchisees who wish to expand will be encouraged to employ staff and take on additional territories.

"This is essentially a mobile franchise needing only a small storage area as most of the contact with clients is in their homes or on building sites. It's a particularly good proposition for someone who is an insulation contractor or employee at the moment, but who wants to step up to owning their own business."

McCulloch says Insultech's experience in residential energy efficiency in New Zealand is second to none. The company was established in 1990 by two partners with the aim of addressing the causes of cold and dampness in New Zealand houses. Since then it has developed a range of insulation systems by working with major international manufacturers.

"However, this is not just a seasonal business because homes need insulating to retain the warmth during winter and also for maximum air-conditioning efficiency during summer," McCulloch says.

"Planning ahead to have a job done means Insultech franchise owners will be busy all year round.

"Increasing costs of electricity and fuel also make insulating a home a priority for most New Zealanders.

"In addition, new building construction or alteration requires insulation and Insultech is well experienced in this."

McCulloch says Insultech offers new franchisees a simple business model with years of experience behind the brand.

She says the ideal Insultech franchisee will be aged 25-50 and be physically fit with an outgoing a personality. They should have experience in building or related fields and preferably be sales orientated.

A new franchisee should be able to contribute half of the capital required to start a new business in their assigned territory. Set-up costs total about $65,000 plus GST, which includes either buying or leasing a sign-written van, plant, equipment, initial stock purchases and training.

New Insultech franchisees receive comprehensive training in all aspects of the business, including relevant sections of the New Zealand building code, installation procedures and selling methods.

Franchisees also have access to competitively priced sources of the full range of materials required for the business.