Pet Store Franchises

Pet Franchise Insights to Understand Before Hiring A Contractor

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Ready to begin building your Pet Franchise Store?

Know these tips before you hiring a contractor and signing contracts to begin construction and follow this guide to make the best selection for your own Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique
Establishing a store is an enormous task. But before you can open your doors, you need to remodel the commercial space to meet the needs and specifications of a Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. Durability, proper plumbing, and retail space all need to be configured into construction plans. The first step in the process is hiring a good contractor. Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique has composed a list of 8 essential tips that you should take into account before hiring a contractor.

Finding Contractors for Your Pet Franchise Build Out

First time franchisees can ask friends and family about their past experiences who have done remodeling to seek out potential contractors. Platforms like Craiglist, Angielist, and local classifieds can be used to find contractors. You can then cross-reference through Better Business Bureau (BBB), and National Centers for Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF) to ensure validity.

The goal is to comb through potential contractors to find three potentials before obtaining your floor plans. Next, you will send floor plans to each contractor. Each contractor will review the floor plans and offer an estimate. Compare prices, credibility, and the timeline of the construction project to find the perfect match.

When calling contractors it’s good practice to do a quick phone interview to find out if they are a match for your project. Have your township, shopping plaza, name, and zip code on hand for quick reference.

When questioning a prospect contractor the following are good questions to ask:

1. Do you do work in my area? a. How far is the commute?
2. I will need services in framing, drywall, painting, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. Do you have access to all of these services?
3. Have you taken on projects of this size before? a. Can you provide any references?
4. Are you currently taking on multiple jobs or will this be your full time project during the time you’re on site?
5. Do you have a relationship with an architect that will be able to convert our working drawings into the necessary blueprints for permitting? a. Who covers the cost of the architect and blueprints?
6. Will you be able to provide all of the permits necessary for the work or will I have to attain them before hand, on my own?
7. How is your pricing structured? Do you group labor and supplies into one cost or am I paying for them separately?

Bids Should Be Itemized

When searching for potential contractors communication is key. One of the best ways of detailing communication between you and a contractor is to have them itemize the bid. Flat-rate based pay is not ideal. It leaves room for unexpected costs and hidden fees. An itemized list will detail all expenses. If there is any deviation from contract or change to construction plans, an itemized bid allows you reimbursement for any changes to the plan. Having a detailed bid also makes it easier to compare different bids, and re-evaluate your own finances to cut costs. Itemized bids also protect you from any disputes in pricing.

There is a difference between an estimate, or proposal, and a bid. A bid is contractual and price points are solidified, while an estimate is the step toward the process of signing a bid, and is not binding. A bid should cover the following elements of the job:

  • Drywall/Painting
  • Lighting Fixtures
  • Floor Installations
  • HVAC
  • Electrical Work
  • Plumbing
  • Framing/Carpentry
  • Demolition/Clean-up
  • Labor Costs

How to evaluate proposals?

After meeting with a contractor and having a site inspected a few inquiries need to be worked out between you and potential contractors. Are there any unknown variables that will hinder the process of drawing up a contract? Have the contractor inspect crawl spaces, open walls, and check the roof integrity. This helps phase out any unknowns that could affect pricing later.

Standards also vary by state, so contingency based on store location should be taken into account. If you live in an area that requires contractor licenses or certificates of insurance can your potential contractor provide proof of these documents? The rule of thumb when evaluating proposals is clarity. Does the contractor explain everything included in the job? Are costs clear?

If you are not very savvy with paperwork you may want to reach out to the local officials at your local town/city planning board.
This is typically the same place as if you where to get a permit for a home remodel project.

Established Credibility on Criteria of Pet Franchise

There a few signs that automatically show signs of unprofessionalism when first meeting contractors. Organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the National Centers for Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF), are excellent institutions to draw from to help weed out con artists. Even simple things like having a business card, local address, and finding out how long the contractor has been in business helps you discern credibility. credibility.

Ask for references. Many times the pro-desk at your local home improvement center can offer insight into local contractors in the area. Contact past clients and ask them about their satisfaction with the job. Construction is a huge expense and if you are not completely satisfied with your choice don’t sign a contract. Is the contractor part of a union or trade association that stipulates a code of ethics, trade exams, minimum hours of work?

A reliable contractor will disclose their network of suppliers. Standard contractors should be steadily involved with proprietors of the following:

  • Tile Shops
  • Kitchen/Bathroom Showrooms
  • Lumber Yards
  • Large scale construction equipment rental centers/Own their own
  • State Attorney General Office

Shake Hands with the Job Foreman

In some cases the contractor is not the actual person who will be at the construction site daily. Contractors usually are the ones bidding work and organizing material supplies. The person you will want to meet is the job foreman–the person who will actually be swinging hammers. Will the foreman be there everyday, and are they the official on-site supervisor? How many construction teams does the foreman employ?

Although you will most likely be in contact with the contractor, it is always important to meet the people who will physically be there. You will want the foreman to put his best team on the job. If the job foreman seems unreliable this may be a sign to pull out, or consider another bid. The contractor may be the most professional person in world, but will only visit the construction site once or twice.

Timing and Execution

As part of clear communication you will need to know every aspect of the project. The start date and completion date will need to be included in the bid. Any external factors like simultaneous projects and weather obstacles will need to be discussed just in case. Does the project site share workers from other sites, or will they solely work on your pet franchise?

Paperwork that Should be Provided

  • Contractor license
  • Certification of Insurance
  • General Liability/Warranty
  • Itemized Bid
  • Including Material and Labor
  • Detailed Contract
  • Labor specifics
  • Time Schedules
  • Payment Schedules

Do Not Hire if These Things are Happening

  • Contractor Asks for Payment Up Front
  • Cash Only
  • Avoids Written Contract
  • Door-to-Door Business
  • P.O. Boxes
  • Vehicles Used Outside of Commercial Use
  • Offers to Pay Insurance Deductible

Understanding Owning a Doggie Daycare Vs. Pet Retail Store

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For Pet franchisees already in the business, and those looking to invest or expand services, the fundamentals of doggie day care systems are important to know.

Doggie day care may be an interesting proposal but not one entrepreneur should not rush into without doing research. Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique details the opportunity out for people seeking to bring love for animals into a new business adventure, and why it may be more economically efficient to invest in Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique.

Why a Pet Franchise?

No matter what industry you’re thinking of investing in, franchises offer safer investment contingency and more stability than a start-up. If you decide to go with the franchise, then you have all the resources that the franchise provides like name-brand recognition and access to wholesale distributors willing to inventory your store. In terms of doggie daycare, this is very important. Pet owners are naturally suspicious of anywhere they will be leaving their pet (for good reasons). Clients who are familiar with the brand are often less apprehensive about choosing a franchise, over a business they know nothing about.
Going with a franchise is like using a template. The business model is already in place, and it will be much easier to structure your own business around. If you are ever researching a franchise as a possible franchisee or investor, and you find the company inaccessible, or unwilling to answer questions, pick another company! Franchises need to be diligent and open to future business owners on the methodology of company business practices. A good company won’t leave you hanging.

Types of Insurance Pet Franchisees Should Purchase

The good news is, the doggie day care industry is growing and is a lucrative pet franchise to get involved with. The bad news is, like all emerging business, there is a great deal of work that needs to happen before you can own a successful business. Since pets are involved, it is wise to purchase business insurance. In the unfortunate event that a pet was to bite another animal or employee, it is crucial to have insurance to help protect your business against claims and other liabilities. According to Paws, startups business insurance for doggie day cares can run from $500 to $800, with $650 emerging as the average.

Pet Franchisees should also be concerned with property insurance. With all businesses, this is again a good idea but is even more important in the pet industry. Dogs have the tendency to chew. Cats have the tendency to scratch. Natural wear and tear will accumulate over the years, but if there is any major unforeseen property damage your storefront will be covered. Average property insurance runs at $600 a month but can dip as low as $200 and can be as high as $1,000. Depending upon the premises of the building, varying insurance packages will all need to be considered before purchasing. Do your homework and weigh out all options!

What Make a great location?

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique puts scrupulous time into finding our premises which are typically 1000 to 1200 sq. ft which is considerably less than what you would need for a doggy day care facility. When you begin touring possible commercial facilities, imagine that place with a room full of dogs. Does this place provide ample resource space both as a business and a place where animals can roam? Is there any previous existing damage? Is there additional costs to a security deposit if animals occupy the space? If you are successful and want to expand can you do so in the same facility? Does it have access to an outside area that is fenced-in? All of these questions and much more are the ones you should be asking yourself. These questions are less relevant when considering a Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique because you only need space for grooming, not over all care. A balance between smaller spaces with lower rent and larger spaces with corresponding rent fees must be found. Also, important to keep in mind is the amount of traffic the store-front receives. If clients have a hard time finding the place, parking, or no one drives by the location, it may not be the most suitable property. The warehouse with all the utilities seems less tempting when it’s in the middle of nowhere. One last note about the search, is to take pictures, and lots of them. Pictures of the premises will help you stay organized, and address issues beforehand. Leases are very situational but averagely run around $4,000, but can be more than $10,000 in a metropolis area.

What Kind of Permits Will I need?

Depending upon the legislation in your state and county, permits will be handled differently but in most cases within the pet-industry, and doggie day care you will need to purchase and renew permits to operate a business for animal care. Depending on your local ordinance there are several types of permits you will need for a doggie day care. Most counties enforce obtaining a kennel license when keeping dogs overnight. Contact your local county or city administration to find out your specific costs. Paws suggest that permits and licensing costs run around $1,000. The permits needed for operating a Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique are substantially less involved since grooming is intrinsically easier than doggy day care. There are no overnight stays, so you will not need a kennel license, and grooming facilities are less complicated than what doggy day care spaces need concerning licensing and permits.

Grooming Vs. Doggy Day Care

There are several strategic pros to beginning a Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique over a doggy day care. The first is overhead. Doggy day care is more expensive than grooming because more retail space and equipment is needed. Doggy day care storefronts need around 100 sq. ft per dog and if you want to make a profit, this means more dogs. If you want to host 10 dogs this means at least 1,000 sq. ft for dog space alone, not including retail and office space. Averagely, doggy day care businesses take on 20 to 30 dogs making the number look more like 3,000 sq. ft, according to The Other End of the Leash.

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique spaces average 1,000 to 1,200 sq. ft. which covers all the needs for grooming, retail, and office. There are also other extraneous costs like employee payroll. A good doggy day care place has a ratio of 1 person to every 15 dogs who need to be highly educated and sometimes even certified for pet care. This drives up operating costs. If you wanted to expand you would need to hire more staff to accommodate the amount of dogs on site. Permits and licensing are also harder to obtain and more detailed because of overnight stays and the amount of animals occupying one space. Generally the more animals coming in and out of a storefront, the more possible property damage that can happen–will happen. These are all things to keep in mind when researching options for investment within the pet franchise.