All Trades Network...Insure your future

As an established repairs specialist for major blue chip insurers, All Trades Network has contracts ready and waiting for new franchisees. Rachel Spaul explores this opportunity

In the UK, millions of pounds is paid out by insurers each day to policyholders for general insurance claims. Each of these claims must be carefully documented, evaluated and verified before repairs can be carried out. In the four years All Trades Network has been providing its building repair management service to blue chip insurers, it has established a reputation for providing accurate and honest appraisals and sourcing first-class tradesmen to complete the repairs.

The company's success is in part due to its network of management franchisees, who are trained to assess and verify claims, produce detailed reports, formulate a schedule of repairs and to manage the completion of those repairs. 'All Trades Network and its franchisees work as a team to fulfil the needs of insurers,' comments Managing Director Keith Roberts. 'Insurers choose to deal repeatedly with All Trades Network based on our track record and professional service. Well-handled claims can increase policy renewal rate, providing franchisees with repeat business.'

Failsafe systems Supporting franchisees is of paramount importance for All Trades Network, since all work is filtered through head office to franchisees. Central to All Trades Network's support services is its unique operating system, ATOMS (All Trades Management Software). This bespoke software enables franchisees to efficiently manage a claim from verification of property through to sourcing tradesmen to carry out that work. 'ATOMS is an easy to use tool for communication, the transfer of data, administration, and franchisee support,' Keith confirms. 'It controls the workflow, taking franchisees through a claim step-by-step. It also offers franchisees true territory protection as it is postcode sensitive.'

ATOMS allows for real time information and control for all concerned, reduces time and administration needs and allows for detailed cost management. 'We recognise that communication is key to smooth claims management,' adds Keith. 'ATOMS can be accessed from any internet connection and is an interface that we believe is unrivalled in the marketplace.'

In the last 12 months, All Trades Network has processed in excess of £3 million in claims for insurers with an average job value of £1,200, and the company anticipates further substantial growth. 'Insurance companies are gearing up towards the use of approved contractors by directing more and higher claims down this route,' Keith reports. 'We are already seeing an increase in job value and as our franchise network continues to expand this will carry on growing.'

Contracts from day one Warrington franchisee Yannis Nicolaidis says the best thing about All Trades Network is the fact that he had work from day one. 'The contracts are there for you as soon as you sign up,' he confirms. 'The work comes in regularly everyday, the profit margins are good and the business is very easy to run.

'ATOMS is easy to use and enables smooth communication between myself, the insurance companies and All Trades Network. Without ATOMS there would be a lot of administration work sending faxes, emails, etc. Everything is stored in one place and accessible to all parties concerned.'

Approaching the end of his first year and anticipating a turnover of around £400,000, Yannis has big plans for the future. 'This business can easily grow to a million,' he insists. 'I currently run the business from home and will be looking at moving into premises sometime in the next few months, and buying a second territory within the next three years. I'm very happy with All Trades Network and recommend them.'

Seeking team players This is a white-collar management franchise that can be operated from home or dedicated premises with employees. 'Franchisees must be committed and conscientious with good organisational skills and management experience,' Keith outlines. 'This is a fantastic opportunity for determined and enthusiastic individuals to join All Trades Network as it seeks to develop its share of the UK market.'