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Updated RecentlyThe Gutter Guys vs Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Gutter Guys vs Live Green, Live Smart Builders 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 | $39,500 - $90,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $27,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1988 | - |
| Year Franchised | 2000 | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
| Renewal Fee | 25% of franchise fee | - |
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 | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory | No/No | -/- |
| Receivables | No/No | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | Spend a week in our Minneapolis training facility learning the necessary systems, processes, green building techniques, technology, green products and partners, sales, marketing and management methods necessary to operate your franchise. This intense, all-inclusive program will give you the motivation, comfort level and confidence necessary to open your Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise. After the business is operational, we will provide additional training and support based on your individual needs. * State of the Planet Address * Business Planning and Goal Setting * Technology Training * Staff/Subcontractor Recruitment & Selection * Advertising & Marketing * Green Bidding * Green Building Techniques * Product Vendors and Partners * Finance & Accounting Essentials * Business Operations & Management |
| Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | From the very first contact you have with a Live Green, Live Smart Builders team member while researching the concept, you will have our support and guidance every step of the way. Ongoing advice, consultation, conventions and training programs are part of the culture at Live Green, Live Smart Builders. You will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | As a Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchisee, you will benefit from the experience of our creative team, have complete access to our pre-designed materials available for your customization as well as all new materials that we create to support our brand while driving customers to you. Some examples of marketing tools include: * Magazine and Newspaper ads ready for publication. * Public Relations support along with press releases to distribute to local media. * Display booths and materials for building expos and community events. * Presentation materials for green building & remodeling seminars. * Personalized letterhead, envelopes and business cards with just a click of a button from our print center. * Brochures, presentation materials and other collateral. * Direct Mail program designed for ease of use and group discounts. In addition to the right marketing pieces, our professional marketing team will help you complete the puzzle by building the appropriate plans, campaigns and tactics for your territory and goals. |
| 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 |
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| 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 Live Green, Live Smart Builders
People want to start businesses for many different reasons: financial security, being your own boss, a sense of accomplishment. But people choose a Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise for one additional reason: Because it matters. If you have been searching for a business that will make a difference not only in your life, but in the lives of children and families in your community and the world we all call home, then Live Green, Live Smart Builders may be right for you.
Live Green, Live Smart Builders was founded in 2007 as the for-profit offshoot of the Live Green, Live Smart Institute, an organization focused on environmental initiatives to design low impact, green, sustainable and environmentally friendly housing.
We are searching for motivated entrepreneurs that truly want to make a difference through their profession, who want to significantly impact their community and environment and enjoy the rewards of owning their own business. If making a positive impact on the health of our planet and "being the boss" in your own business are dreams of yours, we strongly encourage you to read on about the Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise opportunities and contact us when you are ready to investigate the next steps in helping your community while making your dream a reality. Thank you for your interest in the Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise opportunity.