Harwinton resident’s home-repair franchise ‘a business with a purpose for me’
HARWINTON — For growing old owners, even small careers can become tough: shifting a mild bulb, changing window screens or repairing a squeaky door. Relatives associates can enable, but not always they may perhaps dwell much away from their moms and dads.
The following move is to uncover a handyman, anyone to appear by and acquire care of people tiny items. But that’s much easier stated than performed — the pandemic and companies’ elevated expenses has left a void, according to Harwinton resident Craig Henry.
Henry in June opened a Litchfield County franchise of TruBlue Complete Household Care, which provides these styles of expert services on need or a agreement basis in which a skilled and certified TruBlue personnel member will come to help out all over the house.
The firm has destinations in additional than 25 states.
Henry labored for an elevator enterprise for 23 decades,he reported, and fell 13 ft when on the task in 2018. He did his rehabilitation at Valerie Manor in Torrington. “I used months there,” he mentioned. “I broke my ankle, knee, bones in my again. … I was not capable to wander or travel for months. I’ve experienced surgical procedures and reconstruction, and I really feel very good now. But when I was in rehab, I experienced a whole lot of time to contemplate what I wanted to do future.”
During his recovery, Henry and his wife, Heather, understood their property essential to be outfitted for his bodily requirements.
“I had issues accomplishing just about anything at property,” Henry claimed. “The handyman experienced to appear in, simply because my dwelling was not suited for my requirements. I began thinking about how there should be a whole lot of individuals who want to keep in their households, but they simply cannot, due to the fact they just cannot retain up with the servicing and the repairs.”
He also noticed that for the “small things,” like an electrical swap replacement or a smaller portray occupation, it wasn’t quick to discover a individual to do the work. “I experienced a contractor accomplishing our desire kitchen listed here in Harwinton, but it took awhile,” he reported. “It’s hard to get people to get in touch with you back again contractors did not call again, or they would not give a estimate, or they just would not exhibit up.
“And that is for the major work,” Henry explained. “There’s a void for the modest work opportunities — the daily things that enable continue to keep the residence likely.”
Clients could possibly be a widow or widower, dwelling by itself in the relatives home. It could be a couple dwelling in their longtime residence, in which the “little things” have confused them, and the residence is falling into disrepair.
With his business, “We do routine maintenance packages, exactly where we occur out month-to-month with a checklist, and we do items like swap mild bulbs and make repairs,” he claimed.
“Our customers are pretty appreciative,” Henry stated. “We deliver premium solutions, and they are so pleased and willing to pay out what we demand. The men we send out on these positions have experienced a background check out, and if the consumer has questions, we will straight away reply with a mobile phone contact. We do not leave or get paid out right up until they’re satisfied.”
Considering the fact that he started out TruBlue of NW Connecticut, he’s had lots of repeat consumers. “There’s definitely a have to have,” he said. “I’ve been executing the sales side of the business enterprise, and for me, it’s a own relationship. I have mobility challenges, and they do, much too. I can aid them age in location.
“You really don’t want to notify them, ‘You need a wheelchair ramp,’ or seize bars, factors like that,” he explained. “But if you display shoppers the alternatives to make their dwelling extra available, you can assistance them retain their dignity, and they can keep in their household.
“It’s a organization with a objective for me,” Henry reported. “I’m supplying again, and supporting people today.”
Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue, reported the enterprise was established in 2011 he joined the organization as president in 2020. “TruBlue arrived about following its founders recognized that property routine maintenance was a challenge for seniors,” he mentioned.
“My qualifications is in franchising and senior treatment, and I have acquired about that business and also the difficulties individuals experience with getting old mothers and fathers,” he mentioned. “Back then, I was searching for a option like TruBlue, and when I uncovered about it, I preferred to be associated. It is these a fantastic principle and so very well-essential. It’s been escalating speedily at any time given that.”
The organization has entrepreneurs in Washington point out, Florida, California and Arizona, and is new to Connecticut with Henry’s franchise. “We’re trying to broaden into any main current market,” Fitzgerald stated.
The home mend organization can contain a lot of items, and TruBlue doesn’t do significantly reworking, he reported.
“We can do bathroom refreshers and walkout tubs for seniors, matters like that, but our key clients need assist all over their dwelling, specially busy households and seniors,” he mentioned. “If it is a thing extra considerable or associated, we can bid assignments out for the client. … Our owners are qualified to help persons with getting older in location.”
Fitzgerald claimed a appropriately maintained home is important for the security of those residing in the home, and also allows the property retai price.
“By investing in regimen maintenance, the home-owner retains extra benefit,” he reported. “So when they do provide it, that upkeep will spend for itself.”
To understand extra about TruBlue Whole Property Treatment, visit https://trubluehousecare.com/nw-connecticut or connect with 475-316-1645.