Joining a franchise can be intimidating as you’re spending thousands of pounds up front. You’re also placing your trust in a company you might not have any experience with.
Ultimately, though, investing in a franchise involves far less risk than starting a cleaning business independently. So while there will be better and worse times to take the plunge and start your own business, investing in a franchise offers the most secure route to consistent returns.
In this article, we examine the current UK franchise market and cleaning industry statistics. Franchise models are designed to be resilient to changing market conditions, allowing entrepreneurs to pursue business ownership whenever they’re ready, with leading support.
Key Statistics Around the UK Cleaning Market
According to the British Cleaning Council and ONS, cleaning and hygiene activities contributed more than £12.6 billion to the UK economy in 2022. This included cleaning services of all kinds, from general domestic cleaning to building and industrial premises cleaning. As such, it’s clear there are many types of potential cleaning businesses that owners can pursue.
The cleaning industry has changed drastically since the turn of the 21st century. At the time of writing, cleaning industry trends include:
- Focus on eco-friendly cleaning products and environmentally friendly approaches.
- Tighter industry standards for hygiene.
- Smart technology and monitoring for commercial premises.
- Sustainable waste management for workplaces and households.
How to start a cleaning business
Starting a cleaning business is a relatively straightforward process. Beyond choosing a name, registering the business, and getting insurance, you then just need the equipment and skills to get started. Of course, these are just the bare bones requirements to actually provide cleaning services. A lot of planning and preparation needs to go into your business launch if you’re going to have the best shot at building a successful operation. Many people choose to join a franchise because it offers a far easier route into business ownership than starting solo.
Read our in-depth guide on how to set up an oven cleaning business for more inspiration and guidance.
“Before starting the Ovenu franchise, I had worked in a commercial environment for many years but had never run my own business. I found that being part of a franchise was a fast and efficient way to achieve the success that I wanted.” – Rob Cunningham, Ovenu Petersfield
Franchise checklist before investing
Before you commit to a franchise opportunity, it’s important to do your due diligence to be certain that it’s the right fit for you. This means examining the opportunity in terms of the following:
Local Demand
Take a look at the territory you would be operating within, focusing on the total number of households (if domestic cleaning), businesses (if commercial cleaning), and any competitors. You will want to ensure there is demand for your services coming from the right kind of customers.
A well-organised franchise should be able to share lead statistics from its existing franchisees to give prospects a clear sense of the demand they can expect at different times of the year. Of course, just make sure you’re comparing data from franchise areas with similar demographics. At Ovenu, our franchise package provides a detailed breakdown of your territory that covers:
- Household classifications and how this compares to the rest of the country
- Typical housing types
- Demographics of residents
- Social classification of residents
- Total population in the chosen area
Package price and ongoing costs
Every franchise will charge an upfront cost for its opportunity. This will typically include the use of the company brand, training, resources, and your business territory. However, ongoing costs will also be attached to the package to cover franchise marketing and regular support, so it’s important to factor in the management fees of the franchise.
As an example, the Ovenu franchise package starts at a £12,400 +VAT initial investment with management fees currently under £50 a week + VAT. We believe both of these rates provide great value for money considering the level of training and support. Read ‘How much does an oven cleaning business cost?’ for more insights into what you can expect to pay.
Roadmap to profitability
On top of the costs and expected demand of an opportunity, you should also consider the average value of each job and the resources required to fulfil your services. The former will allow you to predict how much work you’ll need to secure to break even and meet your business goals. The latter helps you gauge the time and expenses associated with your franchise activities, whilst also factoring into your profitability roadmap.
Even at this early stage, you can start thinking about ways to make your operation more efficient over time. A good franchise should have the proper resources and support structure in place to allow all of its franchises to scale their businesses. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about a franchise’s expected growth timeline.
Brand equity
One of the main reasons for joining a franchise is to work under a brand that’s well-respected and known nationally. Increasingly, people choose to buy from companies that reflect their own beliefs and values. As a potential franchisee, you want to represent a company you believe in and one that provides good customer service. Customer reviews are a good place to look if you want an authentic sense of how a brand is perceived and its level of service.
“I decided to join Ovenu as they had such a fantastic strong branding and years of experience, something I wouldn’t have had going alone. Also, I instantly had access to their tried and tested products to get the job done, much easier than working out where to source my own.” – Gareth Turner, Ovenu Reading
What training does the franchise provide?
Franchise training lowers the barrier for entry to people of all backgrounds and experiences to prosper in a new industry.
Only the best-established cleaning franchises will provide training to new operatives, which should cover:
- Professional cleaning techniques in their niche
- Business management advice
- Customer service
- Detailed operations manual
- Resources for ongoing support
You might be able to tell straight away whether a franchise’s training is comprehensive or slightly thin on the ground. Oftentimes, however, it’s advisable to compare different franchises by the level of training provided in relation to the cost. While it can be tempting to opt for a franchise middle-of-the-range cost and decent training, it’s typically best to spend a bit more to secure top-tier training and resources. Although you might have to pay slightly more upfront, this is well worth the investment.
Compare similar opportunities
It always pays to do research around competitor franchises to assess whether the one you’re investigating offers the best support and value for money. A franchise might look appealing on paper, but you won’t know what features to look for until you’ve looked around the market. Looking at the costs and support for each franchise opportunity in your niche is essential to ensure you’re getting value for money.
“From the outset, it was obvious Ovenu were a clear favourite. Rik’s no-nonsense straight-talking approach was a breath of fresh air compared to others. I liked the fact that it was a family-run business with an ethos and values that were in line with my own. The training was very thorough and the ongoing support has been first class” – Chris Gilmore, Ovenu Suffolk South
Key questions to ask yourself before you invest in a franchise
Let’s say you’ve found your ideal franchise opportunity in terms of occupation, cost, timeline, and location. It’s important to be clear with yourself about whether you’re ready for the demands of being a franchisee. Ask yourself:
Are you passionate about providing great customer service?
Customer satisfaction is a priority for franchise businesses. Are you willing to go above and beyond to ensure exceptional service? You should be committed to building strong, lasting relationships with your clients.
Do you enjoy hands-on work?
Are you comfortable travelling to different jobs throughout the day and working in a variety of locations? Is there fulfilment in physically active tasks?
Are you self-motivated and disciplined?
Time management and task prioritisation are key skills here. Are you familiar with setting goals and working independently?
Are you comfortable managing a small business?
Buying into a franchise, even with support from the franchisor, comes with significant admin. You should have the planning and organisational skills to be able to handle the administrative elements that comes with running a business. Are you then confident in your ability to make business decisions at key points in your business’s lifespan?
Why Choose the Ovenu Franchise
So, should you join a franchise this year? Yes! If everything lines up in your personal life and you’ve found an offer that ticks all the right boxes, then go for it. You’ll have the expert support to help you evolve with your business along the way.
At Ovenu, almost all of our franchisees never considered owning an oven cleaning business before they spoke to us. For them, it wasn’t so much about cleaning ovens as it was about having a fulfilling and flexible schedule, supported by an established brand that takes much of the stress out of starting a new business alone.
If you’re interested but still need a little more information on the specifics of joining an established cleaning franchise, get in touch.