The Gutter Guys vs SealMaster Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Gutter Guys vs SealMaster including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Gutter Guys Franchise
SealMaster Franchise
Investment $91,700$579,800 - $924,500
Franchise Fee $15,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19881969
Year Franchised 20001991
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee 25% of franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Gutter Guys Franchise
SealMaster Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills, good work ethic

  • Sales experience

  • Financing Options

     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    SealMaster Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    SealMaster Franchise
    Training -You and your designated manager (if any) and up to three employees will participate in an initial training and familiarization course of one to two weeks in duration. You’ll learn SealMaster® manufacturing, sales and marketing techniques, financial controls and other administrative and operational aspects of the SealMaster® business. In addition, a SealMaster® field representative will provide additional assistance at your location to help you get started.
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    8% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    SealMaster Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About The Gutter Guys

    The Gutter Guys was founded by Michael Williams in 1988. Michael had been working in the restaurant and hospitality business for the previous fifteen years and needed gutters and downspouts on his new home. Amazed at the total lack of professionalism in the gutter companies he encountered while getting gutter installation estimates, he decided to start The Gutter Guys. Using his extensive knowledge of and passion for customer service, Michael's company now serves more than 300,000 happy customers throughout four mid-Atlantic states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    Not only did Michael develop the recipe to satisfy his customers, he also found the right recipe to recruit and retain quality employees. While discussing how to utilize and reward skilled employees with his business advisor and CPA Chuck Johnson, the idea of franchising came up. Not franchising in the normal sense, but as a way to expand the geographic area the business served and give employees an opportunity to become self employed while remaining with The Gutter Guys.

    Chuck was so instrumental in helping to develop a system to give The Gutter Guys' employees a chance to become franchise owners that he was invited to join the company. Chuck accepted and sold his well-established accounting practice to join The Gutters Guys full time. Since that time, we have helped twelve of our employees become self employed franchisees of The Gutter Guys.

    About SealMaster

    Since 1969, SealMaster locations have been providing contractors with the supplies and equipment necessary to repair pavement. Franchises in the Sandusky, Ohio-based chain manufacture and sell pavement sealers on site. SealMaster also sells concrete products, sport surfacing, traffic paints, tanks, trailers, machines, pumps and other tools. SealMaster locations hold training seminars for contractors and others who are interested in learning more about pavement maintenance.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a franchised business is $579,800 to $924,500. This includes $420,000 to $585,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate. If you are a conversion franchisee, the total investment necessary to begin operation of a franchised business is $64,300 to $651,000. This includes $60,000 to $425,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    #292 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.