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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of HouseMaster Home Inspections vs Canadian Residential Inspection Services including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $61,100 - $106,150 | $24,500 - $29,500 |
Franchise Fee | $42,500 | $19,500 |
Royalty Fee | 6%-7.5% | 0 |
Advertising Fee | 2%-2.5% | $100/mo |
Year Founded | 1971 | 1988 |
Year Franchised | 1979 | 2001 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | Some residential construction knowledge is an asset. Marketing skills. Position requires good communication and people skills. Must be an independent self motivated worker
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Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | Classroom Training: 40-120 hours Additional Training: Technical training | 250 hours of distance education that can be completed from your home with a written exam to follow, then a full week of one- on-one practical field training that occurs at Headquarters. |
Support | Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | Ongoing support. Field operations/evaluations, Meetings, Internet, Phone line |
Marketing | Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app | Ad slicks, National media, access to national advertising fund, relocation |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 5
Absentee ownership of franchise is not allowed. | Franchise can be run from home. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. Can be run without additional employees. |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | Yes | - |
International Expansion | No | - |
Ken Austin began an independent house inspection service in northern New Jersey in 1970. Nine years later, he formed HouseMaster and began franchising, using marketing experience he gained at Johnson & Johnson and Warner Lambert Co. to spread the word about his new company. HouseMaster inspectors check out all the major systems of the house, providing an objective opinion of its physical condition. The HouseMaster Express Report provides a comprehensive on-site report. HouseMaster franchises offer homebuyers a limited inspection guarantee and has an errors and omissions insurance program to protect franchisees.