Franchisee Profile: Hugh Sutherland of Greater D.C. and Northern Virginia

Franchisee Since: 2005
Franchise Location: Alexandria, DC, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax Co.


How Hugh Sutherland Got Started With House Doctor…

Hugh Sutherland has a history of entrepreneurship. He founded a company called Washington Courier, a package delivery company based in Washington DC. He developed the concept and grew the business. About 7 years ago, he sold it to pursue other career interests. In the interim before becoming a House Doctor franchisee, Hugh continued his involvement in real estate, fixing up and selling homes. It was at this time that Hugh started to notice a trend in the professionalism of handymen in his area. Whenever Hugh needed repairs done to his home, he called local handymen to come and fix the problems and most the time, those professionals turned out to be unprofessional, unreliable and inefficient. That’s when Hugh got the idea to look into business ownership in the handyman field.

Hugh was faced with two options. The first, start his own independent business or second, become a franchisee of an already-existing business. He chose the latter because he could use the knowledge of the support staff already in place to help him develop his business quicker than he could on his own.

What Intrigued Hugh Sutherland about House Doctor…

Out of all the franchises in this field that Hugh researched, House Doctors was by far the most ambitious, serious and professional according to Hugh. He was delighted and impressed by their ability to balance priorities and support his individual efforts through marketing, website development and management, SEM, and negotiation of contracts with vendors.

Something Interesting About Hugh Sutherland’s Business…

Despite economic conditions, Hugh has seen a 25% increase in his business this year. He equates the uptick in his business to a solid influx of repeat customers, people keeping their homes and fixing them up, people working harder, staying busier and still needing those repairs done, as well as the economy starting to pick up.

Hugh has 10 years of experience in the home improvement industry behind him, and realizes that customer retention is the key to growing a business. In order to do so, he provides superior customer service, including 24/7 support to answer calls and schedule appointments; he hires handymen in his territory in order to ensure reliability and calls his customers to give him updates on their repair services.

ABOUT HOUSE DOCTORS:

For more than 12 years, House Doctors, a 90-plus-unit professional handyman service, has brought commercial property owners and homeowners high standards of customer service, reliability, and quality workmanship.  Every House Doctors handyman location is independently owned and operated. Today, House Doctors continues to expand throughout the United States by offering franchise opportunities.  For more information on House Doctors, visit www.housedoctors.com.  

House Doctors Opens in Scranton by Father, Son Team

House Doctors brings new face to professional handyman service in October

It’s that time of the year again. Leaves are falling, the weather is getting colder and we are spending more time indoors. With the holidays approaching and school in full swing, many people forget that this time of the year is the perfect time to do a thorough home inspection to make sure your house is completely “winterized” for the next four months. These annual checks can save big money on your heating bill while avoiding costly mistakes that could occur from freezing temperatures. The experts from House Doctors are here to help with this list of easy tips and reminders for winterizing your home:

Exterior Inspection

• Check Hoses - Drain any hoses around your house to make sure there is no free flowing water or leaks in the pipes that could potentially freeze and lead to a broken pipe. Also, make sure to check hose beds for excess or standing water to ensure the area does not become hazardous when frozen.
• Clear Downspouts and Gutters -Avoid basement flooding and damage to your foundation by cleaning gutter channels and clearing downspouts of debris. Replace deteriorating or broken gutters to ensure proper water drainage.
• Protect your Pipes - Frozen or burst pipes are among a homeowner’s worst nightmares. As a preventative measure, add insulation to pipes in unheated areas, reducing heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes.
• Check your Chimney - Visually check the chimney for loose debris that could catch fire or block smoke from escaping the house. If not vented correctly, carbon monoxide can build up in your home and endanger the whole family.

Interior Inspection:

• Winterize Your Weather Stripping - First, do a simple light test around all of your door ways. If any light shows through, you need to replace the weather stripping. Use caulk on your doorways to seal out moisture and outside air as well as keep heat from leaking out of the house. Caulk creates a tight moisture barrier which prevents precipitation from seeping into the gaps and joints of your home.
• Basement/Utility Room- First, check for seal cracks and leaks in the walls and floors. Then make sure you clean the vents to ensure proper operation and then test, clean and lubricate the sump pump. As for your water heater, make sure you don’t crank the heart up too high and instead try insulating the outside of the tank to conserve energy and cut your bills.
• All of these steps can be taken to better ensure your house and family will be kept warm and happy this winter season. By taking some time to do a fall inspection of your house, you can avoid costly repairs and save money by making sure your home is ready for the cold.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ed and Bill Shoener are the owners and operators of House Doctor, a professional handyman service helping with dozens of tasks around the home, from the little “honey-do” projects to small remodels. They recently opened in the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Pocono area and are ready to help with your every household question and concern.

How to Join House Doctors

There are still territories available for you to become a House Doctor handyman franchisee all across North America. There is a simple, three-step process that will enable you to find out more about this incredible franchise opportunity.

Step 1 Contact one of our Franchise Development Team members for further information. They will discuss the franchise with you and answer any questions you may have regarding House Doctors.

Step 2 Complete a simple, confidential application. This aids you in presenting your personal information to us and gives us the information we need when considering awarding a House Doctors handyman franchise.

Step 3 Attend a Discovery Day. This gives you the opportunity to meet us at our Home Office near Cincinnati, Ohio. It is your opportunity to get to know us and find out for yourself what House Doctors is all about. It is your opportunity to see what incredible potential there is in a House Doctors franchise. Contact a member of our Franchise Development Team to book your Discovery Day now!

If you wish to learn/receive more information about House Doctors handyman franchise, please click here!

House Doctor Franchise Opportunites

While a major advantage of investing in a franchise is potentially faster growth from the outset, one additional and distinct benefit to investing in the House Doctors handyman franchise is that we offer one of the most powerful marketing systems in the Home Repair industry.

The Security of House Doctors Home Office Support Support and communication from the House Doctors Home Office is paramount in maintaining confidence and consistency with our franchise owners. Our support program includes unlimited telephone contact, regular updates to the marketing program, continuing education, regional and national meetings, and much, much more…

Marketing Tools

A distinguishing feature of House Doctors handyman franchise is our unique year-round marketing system. This complete marketing system will give you the competitive edge you need to dominate your market.

• Professionally Designed Brochures
• Press Releases
• Newspaper/Magazine Ads
• Mailing Campaigns
• Seasonal Campaigns
• Booths for Trade Shows
• Toll-free Number
• Professional Internet Presence
• Brand Recognition

Training and Continuing Education The House Doctors training program has rightfully earned a distinguished reputation in the industry. During our comprehensive training course, you will learn how to successfully manage a House Doctors Handyman Franchise. We cover everything from initial set-up to marketing for growth from recruiting your Service Technicians to finding your customers. Our training and support is ongoing for the life of your franchise.

The Training includes:

• Fast Start Program – Our Pre-Training designed to ensure the best start
• Classroom Training – How to operate a successful House Doctors Franchise
• ServiceCEO – Our outstanding Online Management software
• Manuals – Your reference guide as you grow
• DVDs – For reference and training of your staff
• Intranet – Communication and contact with your fellow Franchisees
• Site Visits – Visits from the Home Office staff
• Regional Meetings – An opportunity to network with fellow Franchisees
• Annual Convention – Learning, networking, accolades and fun. An incredible annual experience.

Additional House Doctors Franchise Benefits

• National Accounts – The Home Office is committed to building relationships with National Companies who will use the services of our Franchisees
• National Discounts – The Home Office is dedicated to building relationships with National Companies who will offer services at discounted pricing to our Franchisees
• National Brand Identity – The Home Office is devoted to building Brand awareness Nationally for the benefit of our Franchisees

Request Additional Information or Read More

This New House: Less Housing Turnover Leads to More Home Repairs

Though most Americans aren’t buying new houses these days, they’re working harder than ever to preserve the homes they live in. Currently, the two largest home repair trends are going green and aging in place, according to the National Home Builders Association.

Handyman franchise House Doctors is seeing these trends unfold firsthand. Launched in 1996, the company’s 90 locations have witnessed the rise of the green movement, and, in response, have developed best-practice methods for helping homeowners reduce their utility costs and do their part to protect the environment.

“There are a lot of simple upgrades we make to our customers’ homes to help them improve their energy efficiency,” said Jim Hunter, House Doctors’ Chief Executive and President. “We install highly-efficient shower-heads and faucets, shrink and seal window kits to eliminate draft through window panes, change light bulbs and light fixtures, and fit outlet caps all to help homeowners become more environmentally friendly.”

While green retrofits are important and responsible, aging baby boomers need home improvements like ground floor bedrooms, hand rails, slip-resistant flooring, ramps, and wheelchair access now.

Every 7.7 seconds an American baby boomer turns 60. This aging populating will soon face a myriad of health problems that will require them to either leave their homes, or make immediate improvements to enable them to age in place and with dignity. Since many boomers lost a significant portion of their retirement savings in the recent economic downturn, they’re looking to stay in their current residences as long as possible, rather than selling in a down market and having to search for a new home.

“What’s unique about House Doctors’ handymen is that we build a relationship with our customers, so they know they can call on us for any task, no matter how small or large,” Hunter said. “Particularly for the aging seniors, we’re available for everything from light bulb changes to extensive renovations.”

House Doctors looks for franchisees that share its vision of bringing professionalism to the often fragmented and unreliable handymen industry. Ideal candidates should have some business or management experience, be comfortable managing a team of handyman, and have access to roughly $80,000 of start-up capital for the initial franchisee fee, company vans, and local marketing.

“This is an exciting time for us,” said Hunter. “The downturn in the housing market opened a window of opportunity in the home repair industry. Aging homes and homeowners have an increasing number of repair needs, and we’re prepared to help our customers meet these demands in a timely and professional manner.”

In addition to an affordable start-up cost, House Doctors is also differentiating itself from franchisor competition with its profit margin, of about 20 percent.

“We have strategically prepared our concept for any economic situation,” Hunter said. “This positioning has increased interest among would-be entrepreneurs and has maintained our growth even in a down economy.”

House Doctors DIY Disasters winner announced

House Doctors recently concluded our DIY Disasters contest, in which fans of our Facebook page submitted pictures or stories of a DIY project that went wrong. Check out the winning entry from Ted W. of Cincinnati, OH:

During a minor basement remodel, the gas dryer was to be moved about 18 inches to make room for a wall. No big deal, right?

After already using the wrong paint on the floor and destroying a lamp during the demolition of an old wall, I thought this would be something simple to accomplish. So, before going out for the evening, and while waiting on my wife to get ready, I thought I would go down and simply move it.

I got my arms around the dryer, took a good lifting posture, and shoved it!. Immediately, I heard a “snap” and then a loud “whoosing” sound… followed by the distinct odor of natural gas.

The gas line running from the supply to the dryer itself was the old fashion galvanized pipe and not the new flexible tubing. I had snapped the vertical pipe from the horizontal run in the rafter… snapped it right off so it would not even thread back.

After scrambling for a few moments to try and put it back together, and realizing the futility of that, I ran to the main gas shut off for the house. It must have been years since that lever was pulled and it would not budge.

Meanwhile the whole basement had started to fill up with gas. I ran upstairs and got the wife and the dog out of the house. Went back down to try again with a wrench and still no luck. We ended up calling the gas company emergency line and they did not seem to be too concerned by saying someone will be out within the hour.

So, with the entire house now filling up with gas, I called 911. Less than 2 minutes later a large fire truck comes down the street. By this time, you can smell the gas in the street! Two firemen go into the house and I show them where it is. Neither of them could move the lever and they were both significantly larger, stronger and younger than me. When the 2nd fire department vehicle showed up, he had a special tool that shut the gas off.

Lesson learned!

Ted took home a $400 gift card for his story. Congratulations!

The Opportunity of a Lifetime

A House Doctors handyman franchise is a tremendous business opportunity. An opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime.

The Home Repair and Handyman industry in North America is growing significantly due to the increase in home ownership and the aging housing stock.

Combine this with changes in the demographics of our society, the “Baby Boomers” nearing retirement age, “Dual-Income Families” struggling with time restraints, and many professionals who do not have the necessary skills to do their own home repairs or handyman work, and you soon realize that we are now part of the growing “do it for me” society.

Despite all of this, the industry is still fragmented. Customers have challenges finding a professional handyman to do the small but important jobs around their home.

The “To Do” lists continue to multiply and grow. The House Doctors Handyman Franchise is the answer.

As a House Doctors Handyman and Home Improvement Franchisee, you will operate in this booming industry, but you do not do the handyman work yourself. Instead, you employ service technicians, who are then scheduled to go out and work in North America’s homes. You are a manager of the business, and your role includes the recruiting, training, and motivation of your staff, and the marketing and planning responsibilities within your handyman franchise.

At House Doctors, our most successful franchisees are not an actual handyman in their businesses but the managers and marketers. They are people from all walks of life who had a dream of controlling their own destiny and realized what a fantastic business opportunity House Doctors is.

You bring to us the people and management skills, you realize the importance of and are committed to marketing, and you have a driving desire to be successful. We give you the tools and support you need to utilize your strengths.

The House Doctors Handyman and Home Improvement Franchise Opportunity offers you many benefits:

• Booming industry
• Fast Start Program
• Low initial investment
• Ability to start from home or a small office
• Normal business hours
• A protected territory
• Cash business for most transactions
• Minimal inventory
• Repeat customers

For more information on franchising opportunities with House Doctors, visit our website.

House Doctors Voted "Best Home Handyman"

Congratulations to Mark Boyd, owner of House Doctors of Augusta, Ga., who was recently recognized in The Augusta Chronicle for being the top handyman in the area. Each year, the newspaper holds its “Round of Applause”poll, in which readers vote to decide the best businesses around. This year House Doctors was chosen by readers to win the“Round of Applause” award in the home handyman category. The award certificate was signed by Don Bailey, president of the Augusta Chronicle, and a full list of winners ran in the June 22, 2011 edition of the newspaper.

Look at the full list of winners here.

House Doctors featured in Times-Tribune in Scranton

House Doctors was recently featured in The Times-Tribune in Scranton, Penn., in an article featuring local franchisees, Ed and Bill Shoener. The article, titled “For Scranton man, business a family affair,” highlighted the father/son team who own and operate a House Doctors franchise together. The pair discussed what it is like to work with family, and how their close ties have helped their business. Ed Shoener said one of the pros to working with family members is that there is a level of trust that is unattainable with others, making it easier to ensure the business runs smoothly. Click here to view the full article!

For Scranton man, business a family affair
BY JAMES HAGGERTY

A William Shakespeare's observation may apply to Ed Shoener's business dealings with his sons.

"Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice," Shakespeare wrote.

Mr. Shoener, 56, of Scranton, is engaged in business ventures with two of his sons.

(Read More)

House Doctors featured in The Caldwells Patch

House Doctors was recently featured in the The Caldwells Patch in New Jersey in an article about preparing homes for the summer storm season. Local owner, John Driesse, explained that before summer storms begin to roll in and wreak havoc on homes, there are quick and easy fixes that can be done to give homes a better chance at standing up against the harsh weather. His tips included inspecting your roof, checking your home’s siding, cleaning your gutters, preparing your basement, clearing out your yard and protecting your electrical devices. Click here to view the full article!

Summer Storms Are Coming—Is Your House Ready?

Before summer storms begin to roll in and wreak havoc on your home, there are some quick and easy fixes that can be done to give your house a better chance at standing up against the harsh weather. John Driesse, owner of House Doctors, a professional handyman service based in Caldwell, has the following tips for homeowners to ensure they’re ready for this year’s summer storms:

(Read More)

House Doctors featured on The 33 CW

House Doctors was recently featured in a segment called "DFW Close Up" on The 33 CW in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Bill Farley of the DFW House Doctors talked about mold, what causes it and how to prevent it. Check out the full video below:

House Doctors featured on WNEP News 16!

Ed and Bill Shoener of House Doctors of Scranton recently did a segment with WNEP News 16 on Live with Leckey. Ed and Bill demonstrated ways to protect your home against summer storm season, how to properly caulk and seal door frames and how to repair your roof. Their three segments can be seen below.

House Doctors featured in Time Leader

House Doctors was recently featured in an article in the Times Leader, titled “Father, sons mix work, family: Shoeners share special bond, talented and advice.” In the article, Scranton-area franchisees, Ed and Bill Shoener, discussed their father/son business dynamic. Bill Shoener, who worked as a handyman while in college earning two degrees, asked his dad for business assistance when he decided to go into business for himself. The two decided to open a franchise location of House Doctors, and now service portions of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe counties. The article discusses how working with family has allowed both father and son to develop a deep appreciation for one another. Click here to view the full article!

Father, sons mix work, family
By Andrew M. Seder

F ather’s Day for many dads out there arrives on Sunday. For Ed Shoener, every day is Father’s Day. The 56-year-old Minooka resident owns one business, where he employs his eldest son, Rob, and helps his youngest son, Bill, run his own business. While Ed admits the father-son relationship can be strained when the employer-employee factor is thrown into the mix, he said that for the most part it’s been a rewarding experience. “It’s good to see them mature and succeed,” Ed said. And his sons are appreciative of his helping hand, too.

Ed has operated his own business, Shoener Environmental in Dickson City, for 15 years. The firm also has an office in Portage and San Diego. His son Rob, 30, was working as an engineer at another firm in the San Diego area, but when the economy soured he was looking for work. He joined his dad’s firm in 2007 and in the future will likely become a part owner.

(Read More)

House Doctors featured in G.I. Jobs

House Doctors was featured in GI Jobs in a cover story titled “Franchises that Fit, Why Home-based franchises are ideal for America’s Returning Veterans”, that tells military readers all about House Doctors, and the success of one of its many military franchisees. The article highlights five brands that are a perfect match for military veterans. Jarrod Kossen is also quoted on why House Doctors is a great business for other military veterans to get involved with. Read the full story below:

Summertime Surge Offers Prime Time to Enter Handyman Business

As temperatures begin to rise across the country and homeowners are venturing out of their living spaces more often, they are finding that home improvement needs are piling up. Whether it’s a basement the homeowner wants to ensure will not get flooded during the impending flood season, a pet door installation for easy access to the backyard, or a new play set for the children, summertime is swamped with phone calls for House Doctors’ handyman services.

At this time of year many homeowners are seeking a professional handyman to help them with their to-do lists that have grown during the winter months. As the seasons change, the effects of a harsh winter on a home becomes apparent. Now that spring is here and summer on the horizon, homeowners are thinking about the needed repairs and improvements to prepare their homes for the months ahead. With that in mind, now is the time that more and more people are calling upon House Doctors to help them with those growing to-do lists.

For entrepreneurs interested in growing a business from day one, there isn’t any better time to get into the handyman trade. Not only are home improvements on the minds of potential customers, but with the economy picking back up, people now have more money to spend on such services. Franchisees entering the House Doctors system from now through the end of the summer will be coming in at the perfect time to ramp up business.

Many House Doctors franchisees who opened their businesses in the height of the home improvement season have been able to sustain exceptional relationships with customers, since they were there for them during the time their services were most needed. Summertime also brings many opportunities for commercial repairs, since commercial real estate owners are looking to make their businesses as presentable as possible after the wear and tear that occurs after a harsh winter.

House Doctors featured in Fort Wayne News Sentinel

House Doctors was featured on Earth Day in the Fort Wayne News Sentinel in the article, “Earth Day tips to save energy,” built from an interview with the local House Doctor, Paul O’Shaughnessey. Paul shared some tips for homeowners on the improvements that they could make focusing on how they can make some small changes to save energy such as installing caulk and insulation to seal homes in the winter to keep the cold air out. In addition, he discusses the ways to use energy efficient products to help lower spending and how using different light bulbs that may cost more in the beginning but help save money in the long run. House Doctors also checking out the roofing and the siding on homes to recycle old shingles and drywall throughout the year. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Earth Day tips to save energy
By Heather Schultz

With Earth Day today, a local handyman service has tips on how residents can “green” their homes and save money at the same time.

Paul O'Shaughnessey is owner of House Doctors, a professional handyman service for commercial property owners and homeowners.

(Read More)

House Doctors featured in Augusta Chronicle

For Earth Day, House Doctors of Augusta and Aiken was featured in the Augusta Chronicle discussing some simple ways that homeowners can reduce their energy bills by making some simple adjustments to their homes. General Manager of House Doctors, Michelle Shackford, discussed some improvements that can be made like adding programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent lighting, solar lighting, caulk and weather stripping and energy efficient appliances. With all of these tips and with the hottest time of the year right around the corner, these simple improvements with the help of House Doctors can greatly help homeowners save on their energy bills all year long. Click here to view the full article.

Easy fixes can reduce energy bill
By LaTina Emerson

Fuel and food prices are steadily rising, but homeowners can reduce their energy costs by making some simple adjustments in their homes, said Michelle Shackford, the general manager of House Doctors in Augusta and Aiken.

Many consumers spend more than $2,200 a year on their energy bills. Homeowners who try some of the following quick, easy improvements can cut their spending by about a third, Shackford said:

(Read More)

House Doctors featured in the Andover Patch

House Doctors was recently featured in the Andover Patch in an article entitled “Ten Tips for Reducing Mold in the Rainy Season." The article was built on an interview with Doug Coyle, owner of House Doctors in Andover, MA. Doug gave some helpful tips to preventing mold in your home and how to keep unwanted moisture from creating problems. Click here to view the full article!

Ten Tips for Reducing Mold in the Rainy Season
By Brendan Lewis

As the rainy season progresses, water will start flowing in places where it doesn’t belong. Especially in areas with high water tables, local residents will be dealing with flooding problems and roof leaks in the coming weeks. And when water becomes trapped in those confined sections of a house, mold is sure to follow.

Doug Coyle, owner of home repair business House Doctor on Bartlet Street, deals with mold issues on a routine basis and said that there are many things homeowners can do to be proactive about getting rid of mold.

(Read More)

Franchisee Bio: Erik and Christina Reichelt of Delaware

Date Opened: 2008
Location: State of Delaware

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I am from Delaware and Christina is from Maryland.

Q: Are you a first time business owner?
A: Yes. Previously Christina was a stay at home mom and before that worked in insurance. She now manages the office duties and logistics of the business. Now I am the estimator on all the projects and pull in the appropriate handymen for the job.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I was doing research on franchising for a colleague who was interested in owning a franchise. I had never looked into it before, but when I got started I became very interested. I had never been in home improvement prior to House Doctors; however, I figured that although the economy was going south, people would still need home repairs. I was right.

Q: Why was this brand the right fit for you?
A: House Doctors gives me a lot of flexibility in the type of business I take on. I am able to branch out and take on new challenges. I saw this as a major benefit as I was considering joining and have continued to enjoy this benefit over my two years as a franchisee.

Q: What have been some career milestones for you/your business?
A: The sky’s the limit. I want to keep growing as much as we did this year. We doubled our gross sales. We are consistently ranked in House Doctors' 10 top franchises.

House Doctors featured in Tacoma Business Examiner

House Doctors was featured in the Tacoma Business Examiner in an article entitled “Franchises looking to military for owners,” which published front and center on the February 7 edition. The article discusses that House Doctors fully engages military vets as they have a numerous vets as franchisees already. He also notes that House Doctors matches new veteran owners with mentors to give them more tools for success. House Doctors also plans to open eight locations to the Seattle/Tacoma area in the near future. The full article is embedded below:

House Doctors Featured in the San Antonio Business Journal

House Doctors was recently featured in the San Antonio Business Journal in an article called “Alamo City earning reputation as a good market for franchises,” which discusses House Doctors’ expansion plans for the San Antonio market. Ranked #6 for remodeling activity, San Antonio is a hotbed for business in the home sector, and House Doctors is moving in.

House Doctors Bolts on Complimentary Franchise at No Cost to Franchisees

Bathroom in a Day Offers Franchisees Another Business Opportunity; Increased Profits

The economy has shaken small business across America to its core, but House Doctors, the 90-unit professional handyman franchise, has refused to shy away from innovation during this unstable time. In fact, the growing brand has sought new ways to provide its franchisees with more value, support and tools to help them prosper in today’s economic environment. The end result is an add-on business called Bathroom in a Day that compliments House Doctor’s existing myriad of services.

This new service provides consumers a low-cost option to make bathroom transformations in as little as one day. Before rolling out Bathroom in a Day to the entire franchise system, House Doctors tested it in six different markets across the country. After receiving rave reviews from customers and franchisees alike, it launched system-wide earlier this month.

“The economic downturn forced us to examine how we could continue to make our franchisees profitable,” said Jim Hunter, CEO of House Doctors. “Bathroom in a Day will not only give our franchisees another way to make money, but also a huge edge on the competition.”

Other franchise systems make a business exclusively from bathroom retrofits, but House Doctors found a way to add this model to its existing array of services, giving them a leg up on the competition and another major revenue source for franchisees.

“Bathroom in a Day has already increased my profitability as a franchisee,” said Eric Reichelt, a House Doctors franchisee in Delaware. “I chose House Doctors because of the support they offer to franchisees and I have been proven correct in my decision. House Doctors is continually looking for ways to add services to our existing business and I feel confident that my business is going to keep growing year after year with the support of this team.”

House Doctors Professional Handyman Recognizes 2010 Awards Winners

Although most Americans aren’t buying new houses these days, they’re working harder than ever to preserve the homes they live in. They are looking for smaller, more cost-efficient home improvements to tide them over until the housing market recovers. As a result, homeowners need quality handymen to do these jobs right. House Doctors Professional Handyman Services, a national franchise with over 12 years of experience and 90-plus units across the country, is pleased to recognize the winners of the 2010 House Doctors Awards.


Rookie of the Year
Jim & Melanie Cox - Columbus, OH

Commitment to Excellence
Doug Coyle - Andover, MA

Top Sales
Rich Gapin - Mount Laurel, NJ
Dan Landon - Cincinnati, OH
Steven Cranford - Greensboro, NC
Jim & Melanie Cox - Columbus, OH
Ron Galipeau - Downington, PA
Erik & Christina Reichelt - Dover, DE
Hugh Sutherland - Alexandria, VA
Doug Coyle - Andover, MA
Todd Hall - Warren, OH
Joe & Pam Palko - Pottsville, PA

Customer Retention Award
Erik & Christina Reichelt - Dover, DE

Customer Service Award
Steve Boriss - St. Louis, MO

Franchise of the Year
Joe & Pam Palko - Pottsville, PA

House Doctors Goes to Clearwater Beach

Annual Convention Hosts Top Franchisees; Introduces New Strategies and Tactics

By Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services

Every year, our House Doctors franchisees get together to celebrate another great year of business and discuss hot topics and what's new for the year ahead. This year we met in Clearwater Beach, FL. Themed Chart Your Course, we had several sessions, large and small, where franchisees gathered together to discuss all aspects of their businesses. As an industry leader in the home improvement segment, this convention in particular was special as we introduced several new items that our franchisees can use moving forward, including:

1. A new and improved online software that will put us ahead of the competition. Cloud computing is the way of the future and our franchise owners can now respond quicker than their competition with better data.

2. New financial benchmarks and tools specifically designed to maximize the profit of each franchise owner which gives them a unique tool to hit their personal income goals.

3. A strategic rollout of social media efforts that will broaden the reach of the House Doctors brand and meet our current & future customers where they are.

4. Lastly, and the best part of any gathering like this, is when the attendees can spend time together. We included extended breaks, franchisee-only meetings, and very successful role-playing sessions where franchise owners from across North America interacted with each and discussed their shared interests in building the House Doctors name.

Overall this year's convention was the best one yet. We received some very positive feedback from our franchisees.

• "As a new franchisee, I was very impressed that House Doctors is spending incredible amounts of effort to see us succeed on the bottom-line profits. The tools they are developing, such as ServiceCeo, are going to increase our efficiency, provide better monitoring of our business practices and trends, and improve our quality of life." Jim Kraeling, Savannah, GA
• "I thought it was a great convention. Learned lots by talking to other franchisees, both old and new." Steve Boriss, Chesterfield, MO
• "I thought Jim's presentations were spot on! I especially like when he laid down the 'model' speech, informing us how we should conform to the proven procedures. Heck, I'm new, I'm going to try it that way, for sure." Dave Mauldin, Austin, TX
• "What a great convention! The HD staff did a great job mixing some fun with the work. I always come away recognizing some areas that I need to focus on and make changes in to the way I do business." Steve Cranford, High Point, NC

Top 100 Remodeling Markets for 2011 Provided by Remodeling Magazine

Though the economy has been tough on the real estate market, House Doctors is poised for growth in 2011 by continuing to provide customers with great service and a professional finished product in a timely manner. In addition, while the real estate market may still be far from recovery, the remodeling industry is expecting to see an upswing this year and House Doctors has remained the market leader in the professional handyman segment and expect to see an increase in business this year.

In the article, Remodeling Magazine breaks down the top 100 remodeling markets. A portion of the article is included below and it can be read in its entirety by clicking here.


Top 100 Markets
Our first annual forecast of the 100 hottest remodeling markets
By:Sal Alfano

While new-home construction is still in the doldrums, there is evidence that remodeling has hit bottom and is poised for an upswing in the coming year. But remodeling activity is mainly a local phenomenon, and although the overall remodeling market responds to global and national economic trends, some markets are likely to rebound faster than others. The question is, which ones? Our Top 100 Markets list provides the first real answer.

The Top 100 Markets list is based on the Residential Remodeling Index (RRI), a unique new metric designed to provide insights into and forecasts of remodeling activity by market. (The RRI was created by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, a division of the company that publishes this magazine.)

Issued quarterly and seasonally adjusted, the RRI “Composite Index” measures the overall level of remodeling activity nationally and in 366 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The index essentially benchmarks the current level of remodeling activity, both nationally and in a given market, against activity in 2007, the baseline year. A number above 100 indicates a level of remodeling activity higher than the level of activity in first-quarter 2007, which was the peak of remodeling activity nationally in the prior decade.

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