What do you do with my personal information?
We don't sell or share your e-mail address or other personal information.

I don't have a construction background. Is that a problem?
Most of our franchisees come from non-construction backgrounds. While construction experience is helpful, we've found that with a professional attitude, and the training we provide, you don't need it.

Can I operate the Archadeck franchise from my home?
Yes. Running your business from home for the first two years allows you to keep your overhead low while you get established. Eventually, you'll find that an office or retail space is helpful. It provides a professional and neutral place for your customers to check you out.

Will I have to have employees to get started?
We require you to hire an office manager, who can work part-time until you reach a certain sales volume. Other employees can be added at your discretion.

How long does it take to open?
You should allow anywhere from 30 to 120 days from your initial request for information until you begin our four-week training in Richmond. After you finish your training, it takes about two to four weeks to start selling and building.

What will I be doing in my business?
Since you're the boss, you'll wear many hats. Your primary roles are as salesperson, production manager, and general manager. You don't build the projects yourself.

Who designs my decks/projects?
You design your own projects with help from us and our software. On the design portion of our four-week training course, you go on a site visit, gather information, and design a project based on the "customer's" (a member of the training team's) specifications. You work with our Director of Construction & Drafting to hone your design skills. We also require you to send your first 10 designs (or as many as it takes for you to feel comfortable) in for review to make sure you have learned the process.

What is the sales process?
We use a "two-call close" process. Your first call on the customer is devoted to questions. You uncover your customer's wants and needs while also getting him or her to realize what these are. On your second visit, you present a choice of designs with complete pricing.

How do I find subcontractors?
Most of our franchisees find their subcontractors by running ads in the local newspaper. You might also use local remodeling associations or lumber yards as a source. We show you how to interview crews and review their prior work. We even provide you with a test that helps eliminate those who aren't qualified.

How big is the market for Archadeck products and services?
Big. There are 60 million homes in America with no deck, and millions more with decks more than 10 years old. Your only marketing limitation is your ability to create new opportunities for your business.

Does the industry have a good future?
The remodeling industry is worth about $180 billion a year. There will always be a need for improving and adding to the home, in good economic times or bad.

How will the economy affect my business?
Our industry has historically grown during recessions. This is because when homeowners can't move up, they improve what they have. We offer dramatic improvements at a reasonable cost.

What's unique about Archadeck?
Most businesses in our industry are started and run by tradespeople. While they are able to do the construction work, they generally lack the business experience, professionalism, and operating systems needed to respond to consumer needs. As an Archadeck franchisee you have a brand name, a proven operating system, and ongoing training. Without these tools, it's hard to develop a business.

How do I sell my services to the consumer?
The Archadeck approach to selling is quite unique. With our marketing system, customers come to you. We train you in everything you need to know to close sales. To find out more, check out Sales Made Easy .

Who's my competition?
There are few competitors who can deliver the product with our professionalism and service. This is why we have grown so quickly. Most of our competition does not use the power of marketing and sales, or have the proven operating systems to back them up.

Will I have to pay fees?
Yes. The initial franchise fee is $21,000 for a full territory, plus $24,500 for training and startup materials, for a total of $45,500. There are also royalties and fees based on your gross receipts, depending on the type of sale and your sales volume. Want details? Click here.

We also have mini-territories available for a fee of $37,100.

What do I get for my money?
As a franchisee you get:

• the right to use the Archadeck brand name
• the right to use our 4 operating systems
• a territory
• training in Richmond
• 9 days of field training
• startup materials
• ongoing training

Is this business seasonal?
While there is a seasonality to our business, most offices sell all year round.

Do I need special tools, equipment, or inventory?
No. For quality control, we do have certain equipment requirements for the actual building of decks, but this is the carpenters' responsibility.

How do I find potential customers?
You use the Archadeck marketing operating system, which includes many marketing tools developed over the years to generate consumer interest.

How do I get the job built?
The actual construction is done by carpentry crews, usually a lead carpenter and a helper. These can be either subcontractors or employees, as you see fit. We show you how to find, evaluate, and hire the best people. We then provide your builders with the plans and specifications to help guide them in the building of the projects.

How will I make money as an Archadeck franchisee?
An Archadeck business provides 3 revenue-generating sources:

• commissions from selling our product
• paying yourself a salary as an employee
• producing a net profit

How large is a territory?
A normal territory ranges in size from 350,000 to 500,000 people. The actual size is determined by studying the demographics of a potential territory to ensure it has the required number of households meeting our criteria.

A mini-territory usually has fewer than 250,000 people living in it.

What does it cost to get into business?
In addition to the franchise fee you need working capital to cover your initial costs and living expenses. For most franchisees this is between $40,000 and $90,000.

What is the royalty rate?
We are one of the few franchises that offers a sliding-scale royalty. Our full royalty and fee structure starts at 7.5 %. This includes our drafting service and our national marketing royalty. The total of the royalty and fees drops as you achieve certain sales volumes during the year, as follows:

Sales	Royalty & Fee
$0 to $500,000	7.5%
$500,001 to $1,000,000	6.5%
$1,000,001 to $1,060,000	5.5% *
$1,060,001 to $2,000,000	4.5%
$2,000,001 to $4,000,000	4.0%
$4,000,001 +	3.5%

The sliding-scale royalty gives franchisees an incentive to grow their sales volume. On January 1 each year your sales volume is reset to $0.

What do my royalties and fees pay for?
Royalties and fees cover the cost of ongoing training, national marketing, drafting services, and the continuing enhancement of the four Archadeck operating systems. There are also fees set by the franchisees themselves, for software development (currently $100/mo.) the National Guarantee Corporation (1/4% of gross receipts), and the Franchise System Council (currently $150/year).

Who handles my marketing?
During initial training you work closely with our Marketing Director to create a marketing plan for your territory. We provide you with all the ads and marketing materials you need. You place the ads and pay for them. We do national marketing and forward any leads that come from your territory to you.

What kind of materials will I be building with?
You're not limited to a certain type of material. You decide on the material while discovering your customer's needs. Usually the frame of the deck is built with pressure-treated lumber for strength and durability.

Whom do I buy my building materials from?
We do not supply building materials or require you to buy them from specific vendors. You buy them from local vendors or from companies that offer discounts to our franchisees.

What kind of training do you provide?
We provide a comprehensive four-week training (Monday to Friday) course at our national headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. We also offer training for your key personnel: salespeople, office manager, and production manager. In addition to the training at our national headquarters, we also provide a minimum of 9 days of in field training during your first year in business.

What is a Discovery Day?
A Discovery Day is a day devoted to you at our headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. You spend 45-60 minutes with each of our key managers and trainers, learning about our systems and how we'll help you succeed in your business.

When are Discovery Days scheduled?
Discovery Days are scheduled around you. Let us know a couple of days that are good for you, and we'll determine which of those days works best for our staff.

How often is training offered?
We hold five training classes each year, usually in alternating months. Please ask one of our representatives for the current schedule.

When do I get a copy of the UFOC?
We provide you with a copy of the UFOC at the end of your Discovery Day.

How long is my franchise agreement?
The term of the franchise agreement is 10 years, and is renewed automatically, if you're a franchisee in good standing and desire to do so.

How large a business can I build?
The size of your business is determined by you. Many of our franchisees have decided to maintain simple, medium-volume operations. Others have created organizations capable of doing a large volume. We work with you to help you achieve your goals.

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