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Updated RecentlyThe Gutter Guys vs CRATE Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Gutter Guys vs CRATE including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $91,700 | $100,424 - $177,999 |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $22,000 - $46,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | 2%-4% |
| Advertising Fee | - | $38,500 - $42,000 annually |
| Year Founded | 1988 | 2011 |
| Year Franchised | 2000 | 2015 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | 25% of franchise fee | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | We're looking to partner with motivated entrepreneurs who have liquid funds amounting to at least 150% of the figures listed in Item 7 of CRATE's Franchise Disclosure Document, and proper licensing. |
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Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory | No/No | -/- |
| Receivables | No/No | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | Ongoing |
| Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | CRATE franchisees receive ongoing training and support with everything from lead screening, marketing, sales, project management, field implementation, and security/safety procedures. CRATE's 24/7 support team offers contractors the benefit of warmed up leads and setting up initial walk-throughs. |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | - |
| 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) | Our time-tested business model equips contractors with the necessary tools to offer a residential construction business which offers affordable remodeling for kitchens and bathrooms to customers wishing to implement a high-end renovation to an existing kitchen or bathroom layout. Our system is designed to maximized efficiency, as well as profit-per-workday. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | - |
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 CRATE
CRATE Franchise Systems -- the franchisor of kitchenCRATE and bathCRATE -- offers home improvement specialists industry-leading solutions in lead generation and maximizing profit-per-workday while helping them deliver organized, efficient remodeling services. Each signature crate, an 8' x 16' x 8' tall container, includes all the necessary tools and materials contractors need to complete a quality remodel in as little as seven days. CRATE Franchise Systems is now expanding through a targeted franchise program. Immediate opportunities are available in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon.