ROOM IN THE MIDDLE

Focus on mid-size property maintenance pays off for Foundation One franchisees

When Daniel Nixon launched his commercial property maintenance company Foundation One in 2015, his turnover target for the first year was $500,000. After 11 months he had already hit $1.2 million, and last financial year it reached $8 million – all in Auckland. Along the way, Foundation One has also been recognised in the Westpac Business Awards as a finalist in the 2018 Strategy & Planning and Best Emerging Business categories.

Spurred on by this success, and encouraged by clients who also own commercial properties beyond the Auckland region, Foundation One is now actively expanding throughout New Zealand. Rather than the slow process of opening branches, the company is appointing franchisees who will invest in and grow their own businesses. 16 large regions have been identified around the country, with the set-up cost of $64,620 +gst including a comprehensive franchise package.

Franchisees receive:

• Robust technology to run their own business;

• Proven business systems and processes developed, tested and refined over many years;

• A continuous marketing programme to ensure a steady flow of enquiries;

• A centralised call centre;

• National contracts secured by Head Office on behalf of franchisees;

• Client billing overseen by Head Office.

‘Although the franchise offers a very healthy return on investment once established, we are looking for people who are success-motivated rather than just money driven,’ says Daniel. ‘They need people skills to run tradies, along with sales, project management and quality control ability. They must also have a genuine commitment to the long game of bringing Foundation One to their region.’

Mid-size commercial property owners left out

Having spent over 25 years in the commercial property sector in Australia and New Zealand, Daniel says that there is a big gap in the property maintenance market – a gap that Foundation One franchisees are needed to fill.

‘Most maintenance companies want clients with large property portfolios, which leaves mid-size owners fending for themselves – and paying the price,’ explains Daniel. ‘Having to manage maintenance themselves means wasting time and all the hassles of finding and managing tradies. Invariably, the building owner finds themselves without a reliable source of maintenance work and often, as a consequence, unhappy tenants.

‘Foundation One clients benefit from one-call access to our hand-picked trade services, who are experienced, trustworthy and customer-orientated. A tenant reports that a pipe is leaking? Easy – contact us on our 24/7 phone line and we’re on to it while the client gets on with their business. We have a nationwide network of suppliers to provide services and materials with cost savings that can be passed directly on to our clients while affording a good income to franchisees.’

Strategic approach

‘Something else mid-size property owners often miss out on are the financial and other benefits of a strategic approach to maintenance. This essentially steers the owner away from treating buildings as cost centres – where maintenance is a grudge purchase – to looking at treating them as the investments they really are. The Foundation One strategy is not to ask how can we minimise maintenance costs, but how can we help our clients maximise the long-term sustainability and returns they receive from their asset?

‘Our sophisticated software enables Foundation One franchisees to plan and develop maintenance strategies for each client that cover what will need doing in a month, in a year and as far as 10 years ahead. We will provide franchisees with full training in what to look for and how to use the software, as well as how to find clients, develop relationships with trusted contractors and manage the processes.’

High-return business

‘The days of ad hoc building maintenance, with building owners having to fend for themselves, are numbered,’ says Daniel. ‘Foundation One has proved that there is a big market out there for our services, so this is a ground floor opportunity for anyone with relevant experience who is looking for something of their own.

‘If you want to build a high-return business in the property maintenance sector, contact us today to find out more.’

Advertiser Info

Foundation One

Contact Daniel Nixon

M 021 813 778

daniel.nixon@foundationone.co.nz

www.foundationone.co.nz