The Gutter Guys vs Garage Living Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Garage Living Franchise
Investment $91,700$236,750 - $313,500
Franchise Fee $15,000$60,000
Royalty Fee 5%6.5%
Advertising Fee -6% Local + 2% Nat'l
Year Founded 1988-
Year Franchised 2000-
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee 25% of franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Garage Living Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills, good work ethic

    • Garage Living franchise owners are not required to have prior construction or remodeling industry experience, but it can be helpful to understand the basics of running a business like ours. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to open a dialogue with existing similar or complementary home improvement businesses who wish to add the Garage Living system to their current operations. In general, we are seeking franchise candidates who have good communications and customer service skills, a strong work ethic, and a dedication to the local community. A solid understanding of business management is also important, and sales skills are also helpful. We expect that franchise owners have adequate capital to invest in the business, and we also expect franchise owners to be directly involved in the daily operations of the franchise business. But regardless of your background, we will provide the training and tools you need to run your Garage Living franchise effectively.


    Financing Options
     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    Garage Living Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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
     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    Garage Living Franchise
    Training -

    Pre-Opening Training: including classroom and hands-on exercises, plus on-site training with a Garage Living representative at your location.
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    Ongoing Support: including updates, remote assistance, refresher training programs and business planning meetings.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising

    Marketing Assistance: including a professionally-developed library of project photographs (before and after), customizable marketing materials, online tools, and more.
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    Garage Living Franchise
    US Expansion 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 Garage Living

    Garage Living has established itself as the premier full service, turn-key garage improvement company.
    Garage Living is currently building a franchise network and is looking for a select group of individuals who are passionate about design, construction and customer service. Our system offers our franchisees an opportunity to be your own boss while providing the support to build a successful business.
    Garage Living - a premium home improvement franchiseGarage Living is full-service, single-source solution for any garage remodeling needs. Over the years, we have developed and refined a solid business concept dedicated to helping our clients understand the importance and benefits of organizing and remodeling their garages, with a wide variety of components that are in keeping with the high quality finishes in other areas of their home. As a Garage Living franchise owner, you, too, can provide your clients with specialized, high-end garage solutions that can be customized for their individual spaces and budgets. And, you can do it all with confidence, with full access to all our exclusive tools, resources, programs, and sales techniques to help grow your own business! Picture yourself owning and operating a premium home improvement franchise business in a compelling and growing industry sector, backed by the support of a team of experts that is there for you every step of the way. Contact us today and find out how you can take advantage of an incredible home improvement franchise opportunity - make a difference in the lives of discerning clients in your local area.