Frequently Asked Questions

1What are my investment options?
You have the choice to:
1.Buy a new business in an area, or
2.Buy and existing franchise business, or
3.Buy a part of an existing franchise business (called a “split”).
Each option will involve a different level of investment.
In any case, Jim's Mowing offers its famous Paid for Work Guarantee.
2What are the potential earnings in a Jim's Mowing franchise?
As the owner of your franchise, the potential earning of the business really comes down to you.
Your drive to succeed is what dictates your earnings.
The average annual earnings in 2014 for a Jim’s Mowing (Sydney) Franchisee was $117,000.
This is an average figure only, which naturally means that while some earned more, some earned less.
When you become a Jim’s Mowing franchisee, you set your own prices, collect all monies and actually build your own client base and goodwill (with support from Jim’s).
There are no limits on how big you grow your business or what sort of lifestyle you wish to achieve.
Every person’s needs and wants differ, so part of the process when joining Jim’s is to discuss with the Jim’s Mowing team the sort of income you are looking for and the lifestyle you wish to achieve.
We then discuss a plan to help you attain your goals.
This in no way guarantees that you will be successful because your income will depend on the time and effort that you put into the business and the lifestyle you are after.
The Jim’s opportunity is a business, a franchise system, not an employment contract or sub-contract.
3What if I am sick or want to take holidays?
One of the many great reasons to join the Jim’s Mowing franchise community is the ability to work closely with your peers and your fellow local franchisees.
You are in business for yourself but not by yourself.
There are regular meetings, seminars, workshops, newsletters and monthly proactive contact giving you the opportunity to meet with your peers, interact with your franchisor, talk to suppliers, ask experts, speak with a mentor (strive to become a trainer or mentor).
Our franchise support manager was himself a franchisee for 12 years before taking up his current role and he is uniquely qualified to assist you. He will schedule in-field visits with you especially in the start-up phase. Getting involved and sharing is what all of our most successful franchisees do.
4What is my upfront investment to buy into the franchise?
It is important to recognize that starting any lawn care business will involve an investment in equipment.
This will include a sign-written vehicle or trailer, all your mowers, trimmers and compulsory safety kits, etc.
At Jim’s Mowing we can offer lease-to-buy choices that dramatically reduce your up-front cash investment in these items.
There is an initial fee to join the Jim’s Mowing franchise and this is typically about $22,000. At Jim’s Mowing there are three purchase options that are available for you to decide the right fit to suit your circumstances. Learn more about Jim’s Mowing franchise cost in detail.
1.A new business: this doesn’t come with any customers, which gives you a blank slate to start your business and is typically priced around $22,000.
2.An existing business: this occurs when an existing franchisee retires or moves on. In this case you purchase an existing customer base of regular customers. The price will vary based on the value of the business but normally starts at around $27,500.
3.A “split” from a current franchise: the most popular option. This involves purchasing a split from a franchisee who is staying within the group. An obvious benefit in this case is that the selling franchisee is staying and can continually offer assistance and support. A split is normally priced around $27,500.
In all cases, Jim's Mowing offers its famous Paid for Work Guarantee. (See FAQ’s)
5How long does the training take?
When can I start earning money in the business? There is a compulsory week of training, which is held at the Jim's Group national headquarters in Mooroolbark, Melbourne and this gives you a great insight into the franchise and how it all works.
The training is also designed to help get your business ready from day one with all the information provided to assist in your ongoing business success.
There is also a five day “hands-on” orientation training in the field with one of our Jim's Mowing trainers.
The trainer will take you through how to quote along with giving you some much needed practical training to help get you job ready.
Then there is the transfer period for those who have purchased customers; this usually takes one to two weeks depending on how many customers you purchase.
From the time of commitment through the mandatory “cooling off” period, the paperwork and the training, it is typically around 5 to 6 weeks until the actual start date.
6What is my best option? - A new or existing business?
You have the choice to:
1.Buy a new business in an area, or
2.Buy an existing franchise business, or
3.Buy a part of an existing franchise business (called a “split”) or
4.Convert an existing mowing business into a Jim's Mowing franchise.
Each option will involve a different level of investment. In every case, Jim's Mowing offers its famous Paid for Work Guarantee.
7Will I get enough work?
Diligently and consistently managing the amazing Jim's Computer System is a key to getting leads and thereby the opportunity to turn these leads into regular customers.
The state-of-the art computer system allows you to select the times you want to work, and combined with the services that you are qualified to perform and the areas (suburbs) you can cover, will maximize your opportunities.
A Jim's Mowing franchisee will typically get between 150 and 250* leads in their first year, of which we could expect 1 in 3 to become a regular customer, so that you should have garnered between 50-80* regulars after your first 12 months in business.
The Jim's Mowing System, along with pick-ups and referrals, builds on top of any customer base you may have purchased when starting out in business. Usually, after 3 to 6 months in business, you will require less work as you fill out your working schedule.
"This, of course, depends on your ability to develop good relationships with customers and the provision of superior customer service. Jim’s Mowing does not guarantee you will achieve these numbers".
8What is the risk in going into business?
Starting any business is a significant decision and there is always risk involved. We do not promise that you'll get rich fast. On the contrary, this is a real business that requires real work. But if you put in the effort, the rewards can be outstanding.
To help, you have the support of the founder Jim Penman and over 1,500 franchisees who have done what you are hoping to do. While your success is not guaranteed, you will be part of the largest mowing franchise in the world, where people join together to find success.
Please take your time to do your research. Speak with our franchisees and find out the truth about how much money they make, how they got started and how much time and effort they put into their business each week.
Better still, arrange with us to spend a TRIAL DAY in the field with one of our trainers.
9Will I need a trailer to run the business?
No you don't.
However, clearly a vehicle to transport your equipment is a necessity. Several options are available with trailers of varying sizes, a flatbed style Ute, a van and in some cases a small lightweight truck. In many suburbs a trailer is simply not practical.
As a bonus, a sign-written vehicle is actually a mobile billboard and this helps bring in walk ups and to drive business in the area as people see you doing good work at their neighbours' properties.
This usually generates calls to us from the same street when a franchisee has left a job looking amazing.
10Is there finance to help me get into the franchise?
We have a few different finance options to help you.
Our affiliate, Jim's Finance, has helped hundreds of people become franchisees and we also work with finance brokers who make the process of financing the business easy.
From time to time, when the demand is so great for an area that really needs a franchisee, we have part- vendor financed the business to get it up and running as this benefits not only Jim's Mowing but can also help someone with finance issues get involved in our franchise system.
11What on going support and training is available?
What if I get sick or want to take holidays?
One of the many great reasons to join the Jim's Mowing franchise community is the ability to work closely with your peers and your fellow local franchisees.
You are in business for yourself but not by yourself.
There are regular meetings, seminars, workshops, newsletters and monthly proactive contact giving you the opportunity to meet with your peers, interact with your franchisor, talk to suppliers, ask experts, and to speak with a mentor (strive to become a trainer or mentor yourself).
Our franchise support manager was himself a franchisee for 12 years before taking up his current role and he is uniquely qualified to assist you. He will schedule in-field visits with you especially in the start-up phase. Getting involved and sharing is what all of our most successful franchisees do.
12What happens during winter?
Mother Nature has determined that in winter the grass will grow more slowly.
Winter is a period that can be of concern because typically mowing goes from a 2-3 weeks cycle to a 4-6 weeks cycle, so you will need to promote other services in your business.
Other services are gardening, pruning, weeding, mulching, high pressure cleaning, gutter clearing, window cleaning, handyman jobs, weed spraying, fertilising, lawn renovations; the list keeps going on.
Jims Mowing will help you understand how to price this work and how to build a complete lawn and garden care maintenance business.
We have also found that some of our best franchise owners have started during winter so that they get to understand how the business works and to get the right fundamentals in place and ready for the busier summer season.
13What are the fees that I will have to pay?
Fees are central to all franchising systems.
However, unlike the majority of franchises where fees are calculated as a percentage of sales and the more you earn the more you pay, Jim's charges a flat monthly fee.
There is a fixed fee of a little over $700* per month, which includes your franchise fee and your advertising contribution.
There is also a lead fee of approximately $10.00* per new lead. This is the only variable in Jim's Mowing as the more leads you take, the more you pay. Our aim is to train you to become self-sufficient and less reliant on the leads in our system as you build your franchise. After three years, more than half our franchise owners don't need more work from us as they have lucrative businesses with ongoing referrals they self-generate. *These amounts are subject to change, please contact Jim’s Mowing for the most up to date fees.
14Is there an income guarantee?
Yes. Our powerful Paid for Work Guarantee of $1,750 per week is available to you as a "safety net".
Starting a new business can be tough financially.
First there is the outlay to get things started. Then there is the initial growth stage, where you don't yet have quite enough clients to give you a full income.
That's where the Jim's Pay for Work Guarantee is so valuable.
In return for giving away free or discounted services to qualified prospective clients, Jim's will pay you for your work.
It's a great way to help you market your services and it's a great way to ensure that you earn adequate money in the early stages.
15How is the Advertising Fee spent?
Each franchisee contributes to an advertising fund by means of a monthly fee.
The bulk of this is spent nationally on the following:-
1.Foxtel TV advertising
2.Online sources:
-Social Media including Facebook and Instagram
-Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Google Search placement
-Sensis Yellow Pages Online advertising placement
-Locally driven AdWords
-Newsletters
3.Jim’s Mowing website maintenance and updating.

The advertising is subject to an annual audit.
We also assist with Local Area Marketing and promotions.
Jim Penman established Jim’s Mowing in 1982.
The Jim’s Mowing brand featuring a bearded ‘Jim’ wearing a bucket hat is an Australian icon and the logo is readily recognizable to the majority of Australians.
The Jim’s Mowing brand has now expanded and the Jim’s Group now operates in New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In the financial year ending 30 June 2016, Jim’s Mowing received more leads than our existing franchisees could handle.
16So where to from here?
We would like to meet with you (and your partner/spouse if possible) in person to talk about what you want and what a Jim's Mowing business offers.
We can meet at our Castle Hill offices or we can come to you. Just as you need to assess the Jim's Mowing opportunity, we need to assess you.
We want to make sure that we are suitable for each other.
You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and we can address any apprehensions that you may have.
We fully understand that this is a very big decision for you and your family. We would then get you out with one of our franchise owners so you can see what it is all about.
You will get to ask one of our franchise owners all the good, the bad and the ugly about Jim's to see if it is a good fit for you.
We will also get our local trainer to give us feedback as to how he believes you will go in the franchise and if you showed the attributes we look for in a franchisee.
17Not sure until you get a hands-on experience?
Why not try before you buy...
Spending a day in the field with a current franchisee is an opportunity to experience first-hand what it's like to run a Jim's Mowing franchise.
Working alongside the franchisee you will see how our system works have access to the inner workings of the business.
In just about all cases, experiencing “a day-in-the-life” delivers what you need to move forward with confidence.
“A very real insight into what it is like to be a Jim's Mowing franchisee. More than any other thing this helped me decide to join” - Stuart Hurley, Eastwood East.
Simply call 02 9899 8299 to arrange.

You Have Following Choices

1. Try Before You Buy (spend a day with one of our franchisees)

2. Start a new Area (with guaranteed income)

3. Buy an existing Franchise (with customers)

4. Buy part of an existing Franchise (with customers)

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