How to Choose a Drainage Franchise That's Right for You

Cara Squires, writer

Published at 18/07/2021, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

How to Choose a Drainage Franchise That's Right for You — Photo © How-to-Choose-a-Drainage-Franchise-That's-Right-for-You.jpg

Running your own business is an exciting prospect, and few sectors are as varied, interesting and profitable as the drainage and plumbing sector. Demand is constant in both commercial and residential fields, and no two days are the same. If you’re interested in becoming a franchisee with a drainage business, here’s how to choose the right investment opportunity for you.

The drainage industry is growing with the years, and if you’re looking to invest, there’s no better time to take the plunge. Your first step should be determining exactly which kind of drainage franchise opportunity is right for you, and in this article, that’s what you’ll be able to discover. There are four main options:

A commercial drainage franchise

Commercial companies rely hugely on drainage franchises, because when a pipe bursts in a commercial setting, it could shut down the entire building and damage the company’s financial situation.

A partnership with a drainage installation, maintenance and repair franchise that specialises in commercial jobs is extremely beneficial and in demand, particularly where 24/7 support is on offer. Commercial drainage businesses offer the following services to their professional clients:

Blocked drain and sewer-cleaning
CCTV drain surveys
Drain design and installation
Irrigation system design and installation
Sewer and drain pipe maintenance and repair
Pipe lining and repair
Pre-opening inspections
Septic tank and cesspit emptying
Water softening and filtration
Tanker services

Choosing the right commercial drainage franchise

Research is key when it comes to choosing a suitable commercial drainage franchise in which to make your investment. Get to know the franchise - the reputation, the customers, the experiences of existing franchisees. Determine, before you sign on the dotted line, whether you feel that you can be successful as a franchisee with that company.

There are plenty of commercial opportunities available, including with the extremely reputable drainage franchise MetroRod, which completes commercial and residential (see below) work. Founded in 1983, MetroRod is still going strong, and to become a franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £50,000.

You won’t need to be a drainage expert already, as MetroRod will provide you (as it does all its franchisees) with an extensive programme of training and support. You would, however, benefit from some experience running a small business or taking on a managerial role.

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A residential drainage franchise

For many, home is a haven. It’s the place you return to and relax after a long day at work. It’s no surprise, then, that people are very invested in taking care of their homes, even seeking to take preventative measures before drainage problems arise. A home with poor drainage is a home that might flood one day, might breed damp and mould problems, and in a worst case scenario, might fall victim to some irreparable damage.

As a franchisee with a residential drainage company, you’ll provide customers with peace of mind that their residence is taken care of, and you’ll also be on hand for drain and toilet unblocking, drain repairs and other forms of emergency help and support.

Choosing the right residential drainage franchise

You’ll find that most franchises in the drainage sector offer both residential and commercial services, like Metro Rod. If you’re particularly committed to helpful customers in their homes, it will be up to you to build that kind of client base.

A good reputation will always help with this process - perhaps an investment with a company like Drain Doctor? Established in 1994, Drain Doctor promises a low-risk, high-reward investment, in which you’ll be able to earn £1 million in net profits over ten years.

You won’t need any experience in order to become a Drain Doctor franchisee, but you will need to make a minimum initial investment of £35,000, with franchise fees of £35,000 and a total investment cost of £85,000.

An emergency service and drainage repair specialist

Wherever help is required, you’ll get the most profit and variety out of partnering with a franchise that provides 24/7 emergency repair services, 365 days a year. The work will be more demanding, but the number of customers will be high, and if the work is done to a high standard, these customers will be loyal .The benefits of joining an emergency drain repair franchise include:

The chance to capitalise on consistently high demand
The opportunity to access existing customers via the existing brand name you’ll operate under
The ability to work close to home and on a flexible basis
The chance to work in a recession-resistant, extremely necessary industry

Choosing the right emergency service and repair drainage franchise

If you’d like to franchise with a company that specialises in emergency services and repairs, DALROD is one of your best options. Founded as a small family business in 1985, the franchise has grown at a substantial rate since, and is often referred to as the fourth emergency service (after police, fire and ambulance services), offering emergency drainage solutions predominantly within the commercial sector.

As a DALROD franchisee, you won’t need prior experience. You’ll just need to be a hard-working person, able to lead and looking to grow a successful business. The minimum investment is £20,000, with franchise fees of £34,500 and a total investment cost of £70,000.

After two years with DALROD, your expected revenue as a franchisee will be around £185,000, and in return for your investment with the company, you’ll receive access to an extensive number of training and support services.

>> Read more:

A plumbing franchise

Just like drainage, plumbing is a crucial part of maintaining both commercial and residential properties. If drainage isn’t quite the right fit, a role as an expert plumber might be more your speed. Plumbing services generally offered include:

Bath and shower installation and repair
Central heating system installation and repair
Gas services
Leak detection and repair
Pipework leak repair
Radiator repair and replacement
Tap repair and replacement
Toilet repair and replacement
Unvented hot water system services
Waste trap replacement
Booster pump services

Choosing the right plumbing franchise

If it’s a plumbing franchise that you’re looking to invest in, try MetroRod’s sister company, MetroPlumb. As a MetroPlumb franchisee, you’d join a well-respected brand with a fantastic history of customer and franchisee satisfaction.

MetroPlumb is looking for franchisees who have an NVQ Level 2 in plumbing (or similar practical experience, which will be assessed by MetroPlumb experts) and are ambitious, hard-working and commercially aware. To invest, you’ll need to put in a minimum of £5,000, with total investment costs of £10,000.

Start a franchise with one of the top drainage businesses in the UK

Hopefully, you’ve got a strong grasp on all things drainage. If this article has shown you that the sector might not be right for you, but the franchise business model might be, never fear. There’s plenty of options out there, from estate agent franchises to food franchises.