If you've ever returned home to find your house flooded, a window broken, or your roof caved in, then had to pursue a claim with your insurance company, you'll appreciate the important service Concept franchisees provide. When disaster strikes, Concept franchisees help relieve the stress and upset of pursuing a claim with insurance companies by project managing that claim for homeowners, including arranging for any emergency repairs and dealing directly with the insurance company involved.

"If homeowners need to make a claim on their household insurance, the onus is on them to obtain several quotes from a variety of sources," explains Franchise Recruitment Manager David Mackintosh. "This may be at a time when their house is underwater or the roof has fallen in. Ringing round builders, plumbers, plasterers or roofers, and then arranging visits from them all for an estimate, is a hassle they can probably do without. Franchisees offer a unique and totally free service to project manage the whole claim on their behalf." When a homeowner needs to make a claim they call Concept using a free 24-hour 0800 number. A claims advisor then books an appointment for a franchisee using a shared 'web diary'. According to the company, "over 90% of appointments made for each franchisee results in Concept being appointed to project manage the claim."

Concept Solutions has more than 14 years' experience of handling property insurance claims and has awarded 73 territories on the mainland since launching the franchise at the National Franchise Exhibition, Birmingham, 2003. Chief Executive Dominic Booth comments: "We have taken great care to get things right first time by assembling a professional team at head office. From the outset we have appointed the very best people available to work with us and develop the business here and overseas." Suitable candidates are now being sought in Ireland to continue rapid, but controlled, network growth.

Franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds. "We have successful franchisees from every walk of life who within a few weeks are working unsupervised, such is the simplicity of our business model," assures Franchise Manager Joanne Ginty. New franchisees are first taken through a structured training programme working alongside existing claims advisors, dealing with insurance companies and appointing contractors to effect repairs.

New recruits then accompany an experienced franchisee on local appointments to experience claims first-hand. "There is no substitute for witnessing a proper claim and all that goes with that, whether it is an electrical fire or a flood," Dave clarifies. "Either way, our bespoke software provides a simple step-by-step procedure for every franchisee to follow."

A key part of the franchise package is the marketing campaign and Concept work with franchisees to devise and implement an effective campaign that includes directory and internet advertising, local press, mail shots, and the setting up of a referral programme with other tradesmen and brokers. The company also holds numerous templates to allow franchisees to easily customise an advert for their own use.

"We are genuine innovators, not just in the way we have designed the franchise and grown the franchisee network, but also in the way the business operates from a franchisee's prospective," states Andrew Cheetham. "We are very proactive marketers who, in addition to traditional methods of growing a franchise network, have devised several ground-breaking initiatives to establish a solid base of franchisees. We try to instil this thought process into our franchisees because our business is very marketing driven. There is no-one quite like us."

Concept Building Solutions would like to hear from candidates with the ambition and drive to help take the development of this company forward in its expansion plans throughout Ireland.

Concept Claims: The innovative franchise

£3.5 billion worth of property insurance claims are made every year and almost 90% of every floor, wall, ceiling and carpet in the UK is insured. When an insurance claim is required, Concept franchisees project manage the claim on behalf of the homeowner with the insurance company and our network of contractors. Our three pilot schemes made an average net profit of £54,000 each in Year One!

• Exclusive Territory
  
  
• No Cold Calling
  
  
• Low Overheads - Work From Home
  
  
• Thorough Training & Comprehensive support
  
  
• High Profit Margins & Unlimited Growth Potential
  
  
• Proven Business - BFA Member

Follow the Concept 'Franchise Blueprint' and build a substantial business in your own area. Previous experience is not required.