You don’t need to be a qualified tradesperson to run a Hire A Hubby business, says franchisee Rowan Webb. He explains what you do need.
Ask Rowan Webb about his career and he will mention TV ad directing, film editing, advertising, consumer finance and leasing. So what’s he doing owning and running a Hire A Hubby franchise?
There’s a longer answer to that, but a shorter one is: you don’t have to be a professional tradesperson to operate a Hire A Hubby franchise.
The longer answer? He’d had enough of his demanding creative career, and it had led him to what he really wanted: the control and freedom of owning a business of his own.
Originally from Australia but living in New Zealand since 2010, Webb bought into the Hire A Hubby Kohimarama-St Heliers franchise just over a year ago, after his wife Paula saw it advertised.
Drawn in by the company’s recognisable brand and solid reputation, Webb spent some time with staff both in the support office and out in the field, getting to know clients and getting a feel for the job. Quickly, it became apparent this was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
“The guy I bought the business off had done a lot of good work in terms of looking after his clients. I loved his rapport with them,” he said.
Webb loves that being a Hire A Hubby franchisee isn’t only about being on the tools; it’s also about project management. His biggest current job is a two-month project managing a full re-roof with seven skylights on a 100-year-old villa in St Heliers.
Webb has no staff, so he manages the subcontractors and tradies on the job, coordinating the team and the schedule. It’s a “big job”, says Webb, “and full of challenges” – but he loves it.
“My tradies are a great team and as long as the rain stays away, we’ll finish ahead of time. The client is very happy with the progress.”
The villa’s owner is a good example of how property maintenance leads to bigger projects. He first came to Webb for maintenance work, and Webb has built on that relationship, which has grown into the current re-roof project.
“The owner of the villa is a repeat customer. He is extremely loyal to me and I am extremely loyal to him. He’s getting on, lives on his own, and has put his faith in me – so I return that and am highly protective of him,” he explained.
Nowadays, alongside project work, the core of the business is property maintenance: the repairs and jobs that get a Hubby in the door, bring in recurring revenue and often lead to bigger projects.
“I do everything from the letterbox to the back yard: building decks and fences, plaster work, rot repairs, fixing leaks and gardening. There is not much I can’t do!” he says.
“If I feel the job requires a specialised tradesperson, I have a list of professional tradies who can look after the client – that’s an important part of the service!”
Webb says the secret to running a great franchise is all about customer service.
“In this business or any business, repeat custom is essential. You must look after your clients. Customer service is something you learn on the job. I learned this early in my corporate life: clients want to be looked after, and they expect quality workmanship and someone they can trust.”
Backed by a proven system
Behind every Hire A Hubby franchisee is a support structure that turns skills into a professional business. Franchisees receive:
- A business equipment pack and training
- A dedicated business adviser
- Proven systems, including an electronic, cloud-based system for quoting, invoicing and job management
- An exclusive territory with customer leads
- Access to a network of over 40 franchisees, with an annual conference and regional meetings
- Brand recognition, plus clear health and safety protocols
So what outlay is required and what are the earnings? A look at the website shows several franchises up for sale from Dunedin to Devonport, with prices ranging from $63,000 to $137,000.
The Hire A Hubby benchmark for gross sales for foundation businesses is $17,500 per month, subject to the type of work, with some foundation business owners exceeding $30,000 per month.
Webb currently runs a foundation business with no staff. For now, his ambition is to grow his business and follow the lead of fellow franchisees Craig Burrowes, another escapee from corporate life who built a multi-territory Hire A Hubby empire in about a decade; and Avi Deo, who is in his first year as an Enterprise owner with multiple staff, having moved up from a single owner-operated Foundation business after just a couple of years.
For Webb, the first year as a franchisee has been thoroughly rewarding as he’s learnt the business and set the foundations for growth, all while earning an income.
“It’s been super busy for sure, and building fast – which for me is very exciting. The clients are just lovely, they appreciate what I do and I love that every day is different,” he says.
To find out more about owning a Hire A Hubby franchise, visit hireahubby.co.nz