For a growing number of people, the solution has been to pay someone else to handle the household duties. This has created a lucrative market where franchises in the domestic services sector have really cleaned up, and provided excellent opportunities for those looking to run their own domestic cleaning business.
One of the best known names in domestic cleaning is Molly Maid UK. From a standing start in 1985 it has grown to 68 franchise owners and a network turnover in excess of £12 million. 
CEO Pam Bader said: “Franchising is an ideal way for people to enter into business, and the facts speak for themselves. More franchise businesses survive in the first three years than ‘go it alone’ businesses, and while going into franchising can never guarantee that you will be 100 per cent successful, it is a safer route.”
The chances of building a successful business are that much greater because of the training and support provided by a franchisor and also because franchise owners are following a proven business format.
Even in an economic downturn, having someone else take care of household chores is a luxury that people aren’t prepared to go without.
At Merry Maids, part of the Servicemaster Group, business is booming for its network of over a hundred franchisees.
A company spokesperson said: “Merry Maids has a huge customer base, providing high quality cleaning services to young single professionals living in bachelor pads, busy mums with families, and to the elderly. A key factor that they all have in common is the trust they put in a well established and recognised brand name like Merry Maids, and that is so important when you are going into people’s homes.” 
Domestic cleaning franchise Kingsmaid has just announced the launch of a new regional franchise opportunity that will put successful candidates in charge of a bigger territory where they can market the full range of Kingsmaid services, including domestic carpet cleaning, floor cleaning and mattress cleaning.
Founder Mark Davis said: “This is an exciting opportunity, requiring a major investment of time and effort, but delivers exceptional rewards. We are looking for true entrepreneurs, with the skills to manage their own office operation, teams of cleaning staff, marketing budget and customer care programme, and that is no mean feat.”  
 

Information:
Molly Maid 0800 500 950 www.mollymaid.co.uk
Merry Maid 0845 058 4730 www.merrymaids.co.uk
Kingsmaid 0161 426 1440 www.kingsmaid-franchise.co.uk