How to Become a Blinds and Shutters Installation Specialist

After so much time spent locked down, more and more Brits are turning their attention to home improvement. With demand for fixing up and specialist services skyrocketing, now could be the perfect time to become a blinds and shutters specialist.

Many of the big blinds and shutters franchises have been seeing record demand in recent months, making this sector an attractive prospect for the right franchisee. However, becoming a blinds and shutters installation specialist can still feel like a complex and daunting decision to take. In this article, we’re going to cover the ins and outs of what it takes to become an installation specialist, so if you’ve been considering whether this is the right secor for you, read on.

What does a blinds and shutters specialist do?

When it comes to installing blinds and shutters, both you and your business will be front and centre when it comes fixing up people’s homes. Not only this, but as a specialist, it’ll be your job to bring both expertise and customer care to your clients. Essentially, your role will be to lead a team of installation specialists providing expert service, and offering the best possible care you can give.

To balance all of these priorities, you’ll need:

• Good organisation
• Effective team management
• The ability to coordinate and inspire a team
• To be a customer-facing and empathetic person
• To enjoy being an expert in this industry

Being an industry expert isn’t just about providing great service; you’ll need to be comfortable and confident providing specialist installation, customer service and expertise in lots of different ways.

But, if you feel up to the task and are ready to make a career change with a blinds and shutters business, here’s what you need to know.

How to become a blinds and shutters installation specialist?

1. Identify your market

There are many different blinds and shutters franchises operating in this sector, but this doesn’t mean they’ll all be the right match for you. Start your franchising journey by asking yourself the following questions:

• Do I believe in this franchise’s ethos and brand?
• Am I passionate and excited about working with this franchise?
• What are the unique selling points of this franchise? 
• Are there opportunities for progression?
• What kinds of training and support are there?

This isn’t an exhaustive list of questions, and the full list of answers will depend on what you are looking for from your business experience. But these questions will give you a good idea of what franchises are a better opportunity for you.

2. Capitalise on the market

The blinds and shutters industry is growing and evolving all the time. There are a number of new trends developing in this industry that are opening up new avenues for doing business, such as installing blinds and shutters made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials. 

As all businesses look to minimise their impact on the environment and consider new ways of working that prioritise their environmental commitments, you may want to pay attention to companies using the following materials:

• Faux wood 
• Bamboo
• Smart and technology-supported blinds
• Blackout blinds 

3. Get qualified

You won’t necessarily need qualifications or previous experience to become a specialist, as your franchisor will help guide you through the process, but it may help you stand out in an already competitive sector. 

4. Produce a business plan

Your business plan should include all the details, plans and projections for your future business. You should include everything from financial specifics, revenue projections, marketing strategies and potential locations in your business plan.

Ultimately, your business plan will develop based on feedback, suggestions and your franchisor’s own intentions, so you can expect this to evolve constantly. All the same, your business plan will highlight the aims and objectives for your business and will form the basis of your future growth.

5. Sign a franchise agreement

Once all the details are settled and you’re ready to become a blinds and shutters specialist, you’ll need to sign a legally binding franchise agreement. This document entitles you to all the legal and financial support of your franchisor as well as outlining your own commitments as a franchisee. 

While this might seem like a concluding detail, this is an important document. If you fail, or if you think your franchisor is failing to meet agreed commitments, this document outlines what will happen in any circumstance, so it’s important to understand the ins and outs of your franchise agreement. 

Franchise opportunities in the blinds and shutters industry

1. Shuttercraft

Shuttercraft is the leading distributor of interior plantation shutters and is on-hand to help you build not just a profitable franchise business, but a business that you can manage, develop and grow.

• Becoming a franchisee with Shuttercraft: You won’t need previous experience to get started as a Shuttercraft franchisee, but you will need to be an ambitious individual who is interested in running in building their business from the ground up.
• How much you need to invest: Your total investment with Shuttercraft will be £27,495 + VAT and, following from this minimum investment, you can expect a total revenue after two years of around £100,000.
• What you get for your investment: As a franchisee, you’ll be entitled to Shuttercraft’s award-winning training programme that offers you extensive training in everything from branding, marketing and sales, products, and administration systems and procedures.

2. Just Shutters

Just Shutters is a fast-growing franchise making stunning made-to-measure shutters, designed to suit and beautifully enhance any home style.

• Becoming a franchisee with Just Shutters: You don’t need previous experience to start your franchise business, but you will need to have excellent people skills and an abundance of enthusiasm when it comes to working with your customers. This is a business that excels when it comes to repeat customers, so you will need to have good communications skills.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a total investment of £40,000, with additional franchising fees of around £20,000. Within two years, you can look forward to an expected revenue of around £350,000.
• What you get for your investment: Your training and support package includes a 13 day induction at Just Shutters’ headquarters in Bournemouth, where you’ll be trained on everything from sales and marketing to accounts and administration.

Become a blinds and shutters installation specialist today

No two days will ever be the same for you as an installation specialist. From the customers you work with to the products and materials you’ll be installing, this busy industry is one where you’ll be challenged and pushed.

If you still want to understand more about this industry and what your role within it will be, you can see more details about the daily life of a blinds and shutters franchisee, or, you can see what other opportunities there are on the UK franchise directory.