Over the past 15 years, technology has evolved at unheralded speeds, culminating in the creation of new industries, platforms and consumer services.

While Software-as-a-Service platforms have emerged as the great beneficiary of the tech revolution, power people has seen a resurgence in popularity, buoyed by the aptly named ‘Do-It-For-Me’ generation.

A focus on building up digital resources has left a vacancy in essential handyman skills, opening the door for DIY dealers to provide labour, repair and installation services to the public.

Locally, the demand for practical operators with multi-discipline skills is at an all-time high, perpetuated by Australia’s ageing population and strong rental market.

Businesses that operate within the home services sector have enjoyed steady growth, with technical knowledge proving a valuable commodity in the contemporary domestic working landscape.

Specialist window and door repair, maintenance and upgrade franchise, Lock & Roll provides services to both residential and commercial property owners and managers.

After successfully operating a franchise model in New Zealand, the brand invested time and money to ensure that the award-winning franchise would translate to the Australian market.

Earlier this year, Lock & Roll launched its Australian franchise operations and has since developed a strong following in Sydney, proving to be a successful path for experienced technicians to enter the world of business ownership.

Established with extensive, industry-specific product and market knowledge, Lock & Roll’s franchise model provides prospective franchisees with an affordable and realistic opportunity for growth.

Backed by on-going training and extensive support, franchisees are gifted with more than just technical knowledge on how to fix windows and doors.

The brand provides assistance in all facets of business operation, from hiring staff, to financial accounts and tax returns, marketing and advertising, wealth creation and personal career growth.

Lock & Roll is a tried and tested franchise brand with a strong history of providing excellent service to the community and an excellent opportunity for personal franchisee growth.

As the demand for essential home-services grows in Australia, specialisation will prove to be a defining factor the success of a business.

For more information on becoming a Lock & Roll franchise, get in touch with us here.

A recent project undertaken by Lock & Roll demonstrated their ability to provide excellent results through a flexible, co-operative and solutions based interchange with a client and their key stakeholders.

The Owner Corporation of a strata complex had been late in implementing the NSW Government’s ‘Kids Don’t Fly’ program. 

The regulations required strata management to provide restriction of windows to prevent falls from multi storied apartment buildings. 

A representative of the Owner’s Corporation contacted Lock & Roll with a need for solutions to meet their obligations under the regulations, resolve existing issues with apartment windows and deliver the results with a competitive price, in a timely manner and with the least disruption to the tenants. 

This former low rise office building had been converted to inner Sydney city apartments some time ago. 

The Owner’s Corporation representative, who is also a tenant of the building, allowed access to her apartment where Lock & Roll’s senior technician was able to demonstrate the proposed approach to the issues facing the Owner’s Corporation.

The proposal firstly involved the replacement of existing chain winders fitted to awning windows that were badly affected by an environment that exists in a suburb not too far from Sydney harbour and the city CBD. 

Most window winders were either not working or working only poorly. This allowed water ingress, draughts and wind noise to the apartments as windows could not be properly closed and sealed.

The proposed choice of a replacement window winder was an important factor in Lock & Roll winning the project.

The replacement chain winder needed to be able to directly replace the existing, which was mounted to the window sill via a bracket. 

The selected Doric chain winder met this requirement, was made of a tough, non-corrosive material, had a chain made of stainless steel and incorporated a compliant, built-in restriction system that met the requirements of the Government regulation.

In addition to the supply of chain winders, Lock & Roll agreed to check and replace, at no additional charge, window perimeter seals and chain winder brackets where deemed necessary.

Lock & Roll was awarded the project, which involved the supply and installation of 300 new Doric window chain winders to nearly 40 apartments, scheduled to run over 1 week and within allocated times with minimal disruption to tenants and to issue a certificate of compliance for the apartments which now met the Kids Don’t Fly regulations.

Over two years ago, David Anderson from West Hoxton, decided to go down the path of becoming his own boss as a franchisee business owner.

“Being a part of a franchise group never crossed my mind until I stumbled across the Lock & Roll opportunity whilst job-hunting,” said Mr Anderson.

Lock & Roll’s business proposition is simple. They specialise in fixing the hardware and functionality of windows and doors. Hardware will inevitably deteriorate or fail over time with constant use, and doors can become stiff, making them almost impossible to slide.

“The scope of work and benefits were certainly appealing; a strong rewarding income, flexibility and an opportunity to build a business based on quality workmanship,” continued Mr Anderson.

Now managing the Leichhardt NSW territory, Mr Anderson has built a strong clientele consisting of strata management companies, fixing windows and doors for both rental and owner-occupied properties, along with time-poor residential homeowners.

“The main challenge I faced when starting the business was to learn about the hardware and technical side of things – but with Lock & Roll’s training programs and support, it made for a smooth transition.”

As a Lock & Roll franchisee, owners have the support of a pro-active operational team including a Training Manager, Franchisee Manager, Marketing Team, Business Director and General Manager. 

The focus for the operational team is to understand what their franchisees are looking to achieve and how they can improve the system by implementing support structures.

The flexibility is really what sold the idea of owning a franchised business to Mr Anderson. “I start my first job around 9am after I drop the kids to school. I’ll typically finish my day around 4pm and my partner helps me on a part-time basis with admin and invoicing in the evening. I still work hard but if I need to take time off, I can easily book it in.”

Mr Anderson’s advice for those considering buying a franchised business is to, “do your research, pick a good area and build your relationships in that area, be prepared to work hard and increase your skills – there’s a lot to learn.”

Lock & Roll’s window safety checklist for homeowners:

• The Building Code of Australia allows a maximum opening of less than 12.5cm (representing the size of a young child’s head) for windows
• By law, window safety devices must be installed on any open-able window that is 2 metres or more above the outside surface beneath
• Ensure your sliding windows and doors glide smoothly to avoid jamming fingers 
• Have a professional fit security screens to your windows to act as a deterrent to burglars along with key-operated locks for further peace of mind

 

Australia’s varying climatic conditions means that everyone experiences weather a little differently.

But one thing every Australian has in common is a need to make their homes as weather-proof as possible.

Whether it is keeping the heat in during a long cold winter, or keeping the heat out in a long hot summer, it’s important to make sure your home’s windows and doors are operating as efficiently as possible.

That’s where regular or rectification maintenance comes in.

Doors or windows that don’t seal properly or close tightly, are costing you money.

Your heating or air-conditioning is literally seeping out the door (or window), meaning that the heating or cooling source has to work that much harder, and longer, to keep you comfortable. You’re paying for that.

To minimise this seepage, it makes sense to check all your windows and doors for correct operation and sealing, and rectified any issues or get the professionals in to do it. 

Warped frames or doors, winders that don’t seal the window against the outer frame, locks and hinges that don’t pull the door tight against the door jam; these are all things that contribute to inefficient heating and cooling. And all are easily rectified.

Taking this efficiency to an absolute level, you could also consider running a narrow felt tape around the inside of all window and door openings, to create the perfect seal.

For those of you old enough, remember those flexible cloth-covered ‘sausages’ that Grandma used to use as draft excluders at the bottom of her doors?

As silly as they looked or as they sound, they’re actually a great way of further keeping the heating or cooling in a room. Sometimes the old ideas still have great salience.

The short term cost of getting some repairs or servicing done will be more than compensated by the long term benefits of reduced utility bills by having an efficient home heating and cooling system.

Buying a franchise is a big decision and commitment for anyone, especially those who have not run businesses before.

It’s important to remember that the selling of a Franchise is in itself a business, which has to make money, even if its business is delivering a means of making money for its customers, the Franchisees. 

You have to respect that up front, but equally you are the customer, and you can and should expect to have complete confidence in the Franchise model before you sign up.

Every Franchise system will have its happy customers and its not so happy customers. You should make sure you talk to both, and preferably visit them face to face, before you sign up.

If a number of Franchisees raise a similar issue, it could well affect all Franchisees. Don’t ignore it, it needs further investigation. 

Here are a number of questions you should ask existing Franchise holders when you speak to them:

• How relevant was the pre-start up training, did you feel ready when the business opened?
• What sort of support did you get from the Franchisor around the opening of the business?
• What sort of on-going support have you received from the Franchisor?
• What is your on-going relationship like with the Franchisor?
• If relevant, what sort of marketing support have you received from the Franchisor & has it been effective?
• Do you consider the Franchise value for money?
• Are you happy with the Franchise?

It’s all part of doing your due diligence, which is a fancy way of saying doing your research.

Check everything you can, and then have someone independent – a lawyer, an accountant, a financial advisor – do the same thing.

You need to be certain that what you are signing up for is what think you are signing up for.

Once you’ve done all that, and are satisfied and confident it’s the right thing for you, you’re ready to sign.

Being there for the key moments in your kids’ lives is an ideal every parent aims for.

At Lock & Roll we believe in family and our franchisees being able to spend quality time together. So, we have created a business that allows our franchise owners to build their working life around the key moments in their family life, giving them the flexibility to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Lock & Roll has franchise available right now, creating an opportunity to be your own boss, set your own hours, and reap the personal rewards of how hard you work.

Who are Lock & Roll?

Lock & Roll is a specialist window and door repair, maintenance and upgrade service for domestic and commercial property owners and managers.

Our target customer base includes the emerging Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) generation and time-poor homeowners, as well as residential property management services and commercial building managers, who need to comply with ever-changing industry regulations.

With Australia’s ageing population, there is also increasing demand from this sector who are no longer able to manage such repairs themselves. 

Lock & Roll’s business proposition is simple

Lock & Roll specialises in fixing the hardware and functionality of windows and doors. With constant use hardware will inevitably deteriorate or fail over time. 

Window handles and latches can become loose or break and sliding and bi-fold doors can become stiff, making them difficult or almost impossible to slide.

Lock & Roll identified an opportunity to provide these services in a mobile model and over a three year period tested its proposition with three operating licensees in Sydney. Its market research looked into what customers want, what works and what doesn’t work.

Not surprisingly, Lock & Roll found that the most common customer complaints were dealing with tradespeople who either turned up late or leaving a mess behind when they do turn up.

At Lock & Roll, we are determined to change that – it’s now offering the franchise opportunities nationally and is looking for good people with the right attitude, able to deliver a positive customer experience who want to own a franchise.

Key to being a successful Lock & Roll franchisee will be our extensive training in all aspects of the business opportunity, from the practicalities of the work to the interface with customers. 

All supported by an extensive Lock & Roll operational team that can be called upon at any stage to assist or impart further knowledge.

Lock & Roll works with franchisees to show them how they can earn a strong and rewarding income, while building a business that has intrinsic value and will fit around family and work – life commitments.

And the good news is that right now there is no shortage of work for new franchisees.

Lock & Roll Australia has announced the launch of its new franchise business, aiming to be the benchmark in window and door maintenance in Australia. Lock & Roll is a specialist window and door repair, maintenance and upgrade service for domestic and commercial property owners and managers.

The target customer base includes the emerging Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) generation, time-poor homeowners as well as residential body and commercial building managers who need to be on top of the ever-changing industry regulations.

The concept for the Lock & Roll Australia business has been created with two key trends in mind: the loss of D.I.Y skills and an increasing prevalence of time-poor people.

“Career demands and significant family commitments mean most residential property owners are time-poor. Any spare time they do have, is understandably used to relax and recharge. The days of tinkering in a shed with dad or grandad and tending to household maintenance has simply disappeared. Our customers are the Do-It-for-Me generation, who simply buy-in services they need,” says Dom Galluccio, Lock & Roll, General Manager.

As a result of today’s work-driven lifestyle, the elderly can unfortunately be lacking neighbourly or family support. Consequently they also have to rely on property maintenance services for any work required in their home.

In the residential sector, these trends along with the desire to have homes as sanctuaries result in people putting a priority on knowing their homes are safe and secure.

In the commercial sector, there has been a move to seek specialist skills rather than generalist services partly driven by Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and government requirements. Commercial customers must ensure their business is safe and that all contractors can provide proof of WHS compliance.

As the demand for service grows in both the residential and commercial markets, Lock & Roll Australia, who has spent the past three years testing processes and concepts with three operating licensees in Sydney, is now rolling out its franchise business nationally.

Lock & Roll’s business proposition is simple. They specialise in fixing the hardware and functionality of windows and doors. Hardware will inevitably deteriorate or fail over time with constant use. Window handles and latches can become loose or break and sliding and bi-fold doors can become stiff, making doors almost impossible to slide.

The business isn’t complex, but like any successful venture it relies on good people with great attitudes. Mr. Galluccio says, “as part of our extensive market research into what customers want, what works and what doesn’t work, we’ve compiled all feedback and found the most common customer complaints when dealing with tradespeople. It came down to the tradesperson not showing up and leaving a mess behind, so we are diligent with our training in regards to communicating with customers, workmanship and overall customer experience.”

Lock & Roll franchisees have the support of a pro-active operational team including a Training Manager, Franchisee Manager, Marketing Co-ordinator, Business Director and General Manager. For Lock & Roll, it’s about understanding what their franchisees are looking to achieve and how they can improve the system by implementing support structures.

“In terms of what’s next, we’re focused on welcoming dedicated and customer-focused people to become part of the Lock & Roll franchisee family, and to meet the strong existing demand for our services,” explains Galluccio. We will work with our team to show how they can earn a strong rewarding income and build a business that fits a desired lifestyle.”

Lock & Roll’s customer base is growing year on year with the emergence of the Do-It-For-Me generation, changing regulations and time-poor people.

Our business proposition is simple. We specialise in windows and doors repair. Hardware will inevitably deteriorate or fail over time with constant use. 

Window handles and latches work loose or break, sliding door and bi-fold rollers gum up and become brittle, making doors almost impossible to slide and window friction stays work loose over time. 

So why does this present a sizeable business opportunity? It’s largely down to two key trends we noticed back in the 1990’s. The loss of D.I.Y. skills and an increasing prevalence of time-poor people. 

Career demands and significant family commitments mean most residential property owners are time-poor. Any spare time they do have, is understandably used to relax and recharge. 

The days of tinkering in a shed with dad or grandad and tending to household maintenance has simply disappeared. Our customers are the Do-It-For-Me generation, who simply buy-in services they need.

Unfortunately, as a result of today’s work-driven lifestyle, the elderly are lacking neighbourly or family support. Consequently they also have to rely on property maintenance services for any work required in their home.

In the residential sector, these trends along with the desire to have homes as sanctuaries result in people putting a priority on knowing their homes are safe and secure.

In the commercial sector, there has been a move to seek specialist skills rather than generalist services partly driven by Workplace Health and Safety and governement requirements. Commercial customers must ensure their business is safe and that all contractors can provide proof of WHS compliance.

This is all great news for Lock & Roll Franchises, as the demand for our service grows year-on-year in both the residential and commercial markets.

Lock & Roll Australia is a partnership between the largest privately owned hardware manufacturer in the Australian window and door industry with over 40 years industry experience and a multi-award winning franchise operation with over 25 years experience in the New Zealand window and door industry.

We are looking for dedicated and customer focused people to become Lock & Roll franchisees to meet the strong existing demand for our services.

We will show you how you can earn a good income while achieving the lifestyle and work life balance you desire. We want to make sure that our offering is a good match for you.

If you feel a Lock & Roll franchise opportunity is the opportunity you have been waiting for, please visit our Franchise Opportunity page.

In a study carried out by HomeServe, Britain’s leading home emergency and home insurance provider, a few years ago, it was revealed that young adults in the UK are becoming the generation of ‘do-it-for-me’.

According to the research, HomeServe found that: 

• 66% of 18-24 year olds didn’t know how to rewire a plug
• 59% wouldn’t be able to clear a blocked gutter
• 16% did not even know how to change a light bulb
• 57% didn’t know what to do in order to help clear a blocked drain
• 68% would not know how to turn off their water supply in the event that a pipe burst

Read more: The “Do-It-For-Me” Generation: Many Young Adults Unable to Carry Out Basic DIY Tasks