Home Services Franchise Industry News & Announcements

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Tampa, FL -  Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection has been ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine for the third year in a row.
The home inspection company currently boasts 125 veteran-owned franchises and honors military veterans year round by offering service members a $1,500 discount off the franchise fee and in-house financing, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“By giving military veterans this incentive, we are encouraging development of franchise owners who will bring the unique training they received in the service to benefit the clients of Pillar To Post...

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // The Glass Doctor corporate staff traded in their keyboards and phones for paintbrushes and canvases Monday evening.
While classic rock & roll played in the background, each employee re-created the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) logo on a unique background. For a finishing touch, each one wrote an inspiring Bible verse or quote on the painting.
Glass Doctor will auction off the paintings to franchise owners at The Dwyer Group® 2012 Reunion Sept. 23–26 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. All money raised will benefit the Ronald McDonald House® in Dallas.
“I wanted to do something fun and beneficial when our off-site franchise consultants came to headquarters for our annual meeting...

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, FL - After the devastating fire at New Berlin Road Church in Jacksonville, Fla., Paul Davis National, large loss specialists and part of the Paul Davis Restoration franchise network, provided emergency services and disaster response along with demolition, fire damage clean-up, drying and stabilization. The Baptist church congregation was originally established more than 100 years ago on Main Street in north Jacksonville. The newer 25,000-square-foot metal frame church building was erected at 2351 New Berlin Road in 2005.
On the evening of March 1, a motorist was passing by the church and noticed smoke pouring from the building. Inside, flames from an electrical fire had engulfed the sanctuary and parts of the fellowship hall, kitchen and offices...

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network recently honored its associates whose 2011 residential sales achievements earned them coveted spots in the year-end Residential Top 20.
Chicago, IL, May 24, 2012 - (PR.com) - The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network recently honored its associates whose 2011 residential sales achievements earned them coveted spots in the year-end Residential Top 20.
Each year, the network gives special recognition to its Top 20 residential agents and Top 20 residential teams, as well as its Top Three commercial agents and teams.
Robert Padron of RE/MAX Cityview, 6430 N. Central Ave., Chicago, made his debut as the No. 1 residential agent. Jane Lee of RE/MAX Top Performers, 210 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Bluff, Ill...

Agent Dennis Virts with RE/MAX Select Properties, a Northern Virginia Real Estate Company is honored by the RE/MAX Central Atlantic Region as the No. 1 Agent in Virginia
Ashburn, VA (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - Agent Dennis Virts of RE/MAX Select Properties, Inc., a Northern Virginia Real Estate Company, was recently honored by the RE/MAX International Central Atlantic Region for outstanding production during the first quarter of 2012. He was recognized as the No. 1 RE/MAX sales associate in the entire state of Virginia.
“I’ve always believed in providing excellent customer service and building long-lasting relationships,” said Dennis Virts. “I got into this business because I love helping people. There’s nothing more satisfying than assisting families with what is most likely their biggest investment...

Fresh Coat Painters is bringing its professional services to Chicago’s North Shore with the launch of Fred Alsen’s franchise to serve Winnetka, Evanston, Northbrook, Highland Park and their surrounding communities.
Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - With the launch of his Fresh Coat Painters franchise, Fred Alsen hopes to complement his already successful interior design business by providing professional painting services in Chicago’s North Shore communities. “Fresh Coat gets that it’s about client service, being friendly, listening, and being flexible to address each client’s needs,” he said. “I know that starting a business often involves a long process to make it work. With Fresh Coat, I felt all the elements were already in place to make it work...

Save Some Green and Help the Earth Without Ever Leaving Your Laundry Room
May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Wash out your family’s green grass stains and wash in even more green savings. The laundry room can be the busiest room in your house, and if your washer and dryer aren’t performing at their best, it could show up on your energy bill. It may be time to give your family’s laundry habits an energy-saving makeover.
“Busy schedules and full households can cause lots of wear and tear on laundry room appliances,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Homeowners should take special care when using their washer and dryer to make sure they keep working efficiently. The harder an appliance has to work to do its job, the more energy is wasted in the process...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // NEW HOLLAND, PA. - Homeowners and builders both have the opportunity to win an Apple® iPad® in the "Living with Superior Walls Video Contest" running now on Facebook through July 16, 2012.* The promotion allows people ages 18 and older to create and submit a testimonial video online until July 2. Online voting between July 3 and 16 will determine the two winners.
"If you're a homeowner, we want to know why you like --- or love --- living with a Superior Walls foundation in your home," says Jim Costello, president of Superior Walls of America. "And, if you're a builder, we invite you to submit a video that tells us why you like --- or love --- to build your homes with dependable Superior Wall foundations...

global.remax.com Tops 18 Million Page Views in Six Months
DENVER, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The first truly global online real estate resource, with hundreds of thousands of home listings in more than 70 countries and territories, has seen unprecedented success and growth since the website's launch. global.remax.com has drawn in nearly 750,000 unique visitors, who have generated more than 18 million page views. The majority of visitors are from China, the most searched city is London and the most searched country, the United States.
"Consumers have an appetite for a website that gives them not only the home listings from around the world, but in their own language and in their own currency," said William E. Soteroff, RE/MAX Executive Vice President, U...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Waco, TX - What started as a monthly donation for the needy at a Pennsylvania church by a Mr. Rooter® employee’s mother turned into a North American donation drive for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).
Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchises in the United States and Canada donated $19,000 worth of ‘Wish List’ items to the Ronald McDonald House® program in their communities. Donations included toilet paper and paper towels – the same items that prompted this promotion.
“I had no idea it would get this big,” said Barbara Sullivan, whose daughter Bobbi is a franchise consultant for Mr. Rooter LLC. “It was laid on my heart when a man on disability told me he couldn’t afford toilet paper, and asked if I had any to spare...

13 New Franchise Agreements Inked Thus Far in 2012
May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // LANSING, Mich. - Leading moving company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has enjoyed a busy start to 2012 for its U.S.-based operations that includes a new location in Idaho - its first for the state – as well as the signing of three new franchise agreements, the opening of four additional satellite offices, and the transfer of five stores to new ownership. The increased franchise development activity is a result of growing demand for the Company’s local-and-long distance moving services. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® (www.twomenandatruck.com) currently operates 224 locations in 34 states and has grown 33% during the past two years. The company is averaging 19% growth year-to-date in 2012...

Pop-A-Lock announces it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
Lafayette, LA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Pop-A-Lock honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a 10% discount off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs. “Being selected as a Military Friendly Franchise places Pop-A-Lock in this elite group, and is testimony to Pop-A-Lock’s world class programs and policies that support military veterans interested franchise opportunities”...

National employee survey ranks Keller Williams offices as one of nation's best workplaces.
Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced this week it has been recognized as one of America’s Top 10 Workplaces, according to the first annual National Top Workplaces list compiled by Workplace Dynamics.
“Our culture is our strongest asset and the reason that so many people want to be with us,” Mary Tennant, COO of Keller Williams Realty shares. “Imagine what it would be like to work in a culture every day with people that you feel love, kindness, caring and humor with. Imagine working in an environment where there is a passion for every single person to succeed at the highest level...

May 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // Memphis, Tenn. -  Memphis-based Merry Maids, the world’s largest home cleaning franchise, announced intentions today to hire approximately 1,000 new full and part-time positions to support its 70 company-owned locations and 400 franchised operations throughout the United States.
To support the company’s hiring plans, Merry Maids is hosting a National Hiring Week May 21 – 25 and asks for all interested and qualified candidates to apply online at jobs.merrymaids.com. Local Merry Maids managers have committed to follow up with all of the most qualified applicants within 24 hours for telephone interviews.
The company is seeking motivated and energetic applicants to apply for open teammate positions, with primary job responsibilities to professionally clean customer homes using the Merry Maids unique cleaning procedures and products...

#1 Window Coverings Franchise Creates New Division to Meet the Needs of Commercial Clients
Orange, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - Recognizing the opportunity to provide window coverings to the $1 billion commercial market, Budget Blinds, the nation‘s largest window coverings franchise, has announced the launch of BB Commercial Solutions (BBCS). With over 800 franchises in North America, Budget Blinds has a vendor alliance program and national footprint that is unmatched. These distinct competitive advantages will be incorporated into BBCS operations, placing it in prime position to dominate the fragmented commercial window coverings industry.
Whereas Budget Blinds primarily services homeowners, BBCS will cater to the specific needs of businesses and institutions such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, hospitals, schools and more...

The Gardener is excited to announce it has opened a new location in Alberta for the first time with the addition of its new Calgary South location. The Gardener would like to welcome Calgary owner Kevin Linstead to the team.
Markham, Ontario (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - The Gardener has extended its yard maintenance services into the province of Alberta for the first time with the addition of its new Calgary location. The Gardener is pleased to add Calgary owner Kevin Linstead to the team.
Opening a franchise location in a new province is certainly a momentous occasion for the team at The Gardener. With a location in Calgary South the company is eager to share its award winning customer service with the Calgary population.
As a long standing resident of Calgary, owner Kevin Linstead is excited to take part in the local economy...

DENVER, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The national median home price rose for the third straight month in April, indicating that a housing recovery is strengthening in 2012. In the 53 metropolitan areas surveyed by the RE/MAX National Housing Report, median home prices were 3.2% higher than March and a solid 5.9% higher than April 2011. After 18 consecutive months of year-over-year price declines, February was the first month home prices experienced an increase. Now, March and April have followed suit creating a positive trend. The market continues to show strength with home sales 4.1% higher than April 2011. April becomes the 10th month sales have pushed higher than the same month a year earlier. Inventory, Months Supply and Days on Market are all trending lower...

Proper Implementation of Discharge Plan and Medication, Coordination of Follow-Up Care, Attention to Nutrition Are Key
May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // LOS ANGELES – Hospital readmissions have become a serious issue for seniors and their families. The good news is most of these readmissions can be prevented by paying careful attention to aftercare instructions.
Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, explores the specific steps that families and caregivers can take to avoid post-discharge readmissions in Episode 29 of The Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME. He also looks at the broader implications of readmissions, which have become a significant issue for hospitals, insurers and seniors themselves.
Overall, Barlam says, 1 in 3 seniors are readmitted to the hospital within 90 days of discharge and three-quarters of all readmissions are preventable...

Chuck Healy, owner of Handyman Matters – St. Louis, recently passed the rigorous testing and certification standards needed to be designated as a Certified Environmental Access Consultant.
Saint Louis, MO, May 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- This certification gives clients and healthcare professionals the assurance that Handyman Matters – St. Louis is eminently qualified to assess the home and develop a plan that provides the safety and independence needed for seniors to age in their homes.
Aging In Place is a concept becoming more commonplace for homeowners and craftspeople alike. Most people don’t want to leave their homes and communities as they age. When home becomes a barrier to safety, however, there are options to consider...

RICHMOND, Va. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Breaking his long silence against soon-to-be brides who refuse to have their outdoor wedding garden areas and reception tents protected against mosquito bites, Dread Skeeter, the Mosquito Squad mosquito eliminator, has expressed his concern by retelling the tale of a newly married couple who made that mistake.
Duncan Spada, a Biewer Yorkie Terrier who hosts a YouTube channel to showcase this compelling story adds, “More than 2,350 people have seen this tale online on YouTube at http://youtu.be/Rpp8dDlXTWg."
In addition, interested parties can now see and hear Dread Skeeter himself retell this tale now on YouTube at http://youtu.be/R3eqEvYxAXg.
About Mosquito Squad
Approaching 100 franchise locations nationwide, Mosquito Squad is an Outdoor Living Brands company specializing in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces...