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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of UBuildIt vs Furniture Medic including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $113,500 - $223,800 | $80,799 - $90,136 |
Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $33,000 |
Royalty Fee | $1,000 monthly | 7% |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1988 | 1992 |
Year Franchised | 1998 | 1992 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | $10K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | Yes/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | Yes/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | Yes/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | Yes/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | Available at headquarters: 1 week | On-The-Job Training: 97-101 hours Classroom Training: 61 hours Additional Training: Home study/mentor program |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, Annual convention | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising, Marketing creatives | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development |
Operations |
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Franchise can be run from home. International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | No | Yes |
Prosper in construction consulting while reducing your workload and
liability. By adding the UBuildIt consulting system to your business,
you will find an easier way to build homes and regain extra time and
money in the process. Instead of contracting to build; you are coaching
homeowners. You’re offering a service that allows you to diversify and
stand out from the pack! You’re using first-class marketing materials,
Internet tools, and a complete business system backed with professional
support. Imagine taking less risk - and having more time to golf, swim,
and see your kids.
Joseph Lunsford wasn't looking to start a business when he moved into a new home and realized that several pieces of his furniture had been damaged in transit, but start one he did. He founded Furniture Medic in 1992 in response to his dissatisfaction with the long turnaround time that was common with most refurnishing shops. In 1996 Furniture Medic was acquired by ServiceMaster and has since grown to more than 600 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.