TL;DR
In short: Tom moved from independent fencing and landscape work into a Jim’s Fencing franchise in Queensland around Christmas time. In his first 2 to 3 weeks, he quoted $200k to $300k worth of work and shifted his focus from chasing leads to managing a full pipeline.
In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Tom Ngapti, a Jim’s Fencing operator in Queensland and former landscape construction contractor, explains how he went from hunting leads on apps to using Jim’s lead systems and workflow tools to quote and schedule colourbond and timber fences at pace.
A Jim’s Fencing franchise can solve the hardest early-stage problem for independents: consistent work. Tom quoted $200k to $300k within 2 to 3 weeks of starting and quickly moved into scheduling and delivery. This article covers his pivot, the technical choices behind colourbond and timber fencing, how the Jim’s system reduces risk, and what “local” looks like on real Queensland fence jobs.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Would An Independent Tradie Join A Jim’s Fencing Franchise?
Tom ran his own business for years, doing “landscape construction, fences, garden beds, turf laying… retaining walls”.
He said the hardest part of independence is the early grind: “finding the work, getting the work, getting the name out there”. He tried “different apps to find work” and also handled admin: “I had to learn to be my own accountant.”
If someone is weighing up franchising because the independent path is eating their time, the starting point is simple: understand what you are buying into and what support actually looks like. A practical overview of the process sits here.
Outside work, he trained like an athlete. He turned professional as a boxer in 2023, after 10 years in amateurs, and said he dropped from “200 and maybe 10 kilos” to “about 95”. He summed it up simply: “When it comes to business, you’ve got to be a fighter.”
He watched Jim’s for “five years”, built relationships in the network, and made the jump “around Christmas time”.
Within “two or three weeks”, he quoted “between 200 to 300k worth of work”.
Why Focus On Colourbond And Timber Fencing First?
Tom kept his early service mix tight: “colourbond and timber”.
He said that was deliberate, because taking on everything early would be “too much” to manage while he learned the Jim’s workflow and lead volume.
Colourbond style steel fencing relies on layered protection: a steel base, a corrosion-resistant metallic coating, and a baked-on paint system designed to handle UV and weathering. Timber fencing suits sites that need on-site adjustment or a softer look.
Queensland adds pressure. Heat moves materials. Storms push on long runs. Wet ground can shift posts.
Tom’s work numbers show the physical side. His first completed job was “51 meters”. He said demolition is a major load, including “heavy concrete” and “pulling out big posts”. His record output was “about a hundred meters” in a day, with “two labourers” and “half a day with another labourer”.
Pro Tips based on Tom’s approach:
- Keep your first six months simple and stay tight on services.
- Quote demolition properly, including removal and disposal.
- Build to conditions: heat, storms, and ground movement.
If you want to see what Jim’s Fencing covers and the kind of jobs customers request most, start with the division page here.
What Changes In A Jim’s Fencing Franchise?
Tom said the biggest shift was not “finding the work”. It was “learning to manage the leads”.
He described the pace as “seven days” of “quote, quote, quote, quote”. He was building workflow skills fast: “relationship building” and “managing my workflow”.
The numbers backed it. He was near “300K worth of work in three weeks”, with “more than half” already confirmed, waiting on dates and finance planning.
He did that with a lean team: “just me and another bloke”, while also caring for his daughter, “50-50”.
Tom’s background mattered here. He had owned a “Diner King” years earlier, so he understood franchise systems. He also understood how expensive independence gets. He said you can be “talking hundreds of thousands of dollars to create apps, to create systems” that Jim’s already built.
He also compared lead quality. On the apps, it becomes “the race to the bottom” and “they want the cheapest”. In his first weeks at Jim’s, he said, “I didn’t actually have to be a salesman because we already sold on the Jim’s brand.”
He still completed the generic Jim’s training and a seminar. If you want a clear view of what happens before launch, click this.
And if your main question is fees and what they cover, see this.
What Does Good Fencing Look Like In Queensland Streets?
Tom said visibility changes everything. People walk up because they recognise the brand: “They come up, and they’re like, ‘hey Jim’s… you might as well come in and give me a quote’.”
He also said local work spreads from neighbour to neighbour. He had “one day where there were maybe four neighbours”.
That is why he recommends working with both sides on shared fences. He said costs are “usually split evenly between the fence”. The exception is when one neighbour wants to lift value fast, often to sell, and they may pay themselves to get the place “up to scratch” and “increase the value… pretty quickly”.
He advised: “tender with both neighbours” and build the relationship, because the fencer becomes the “middle man” when neighbours do not agree.
He said good service starts with “good communication” and being “well-informed”. Trust often leads to more work: “after you do the first fence… can you do the back one… can you do the front one?”
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Lead flow | Built slowly through ads, apps, and word of mouth | Brand-driven demand and Jim’s lead systems |
| Pricing pressure | Often a “race to the bottom.” | Less need to discount to win trust |
| Tools and systems | Must build or buy alone; can cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to replicate | Established software, training, and workflow tools |
| Trust and risk | Trust must be built from zero on each job | Brand trust plus the Jim’s National Guarantee |
| Scalability | Owner carries quoting, admin, sales, and delivery | Structure helps organise labour, scheduling, and profit projection |
If you are comparing franchise outcomes and want an earnings benchmark view, read this as a starting reference point.
Quote Block
“Tom Ngapti, Jim’s Fencing franchisee in Queensland: ‘Within the first two or three weeks, I was quoted between 200 to 300k worth of work.’“
FAQ: Jim’s Fencing Franchise Questions Homeowners And Tradies Ask
How fast can a Jim’s Fencing franchise get leads?
Tom joined around Christmas time and quoted “between 200 to 300k worth of work” within “two or three weeks”. He said the challenge became managing volume and scheduling, not finding work.
What fencing work did Tom focus on in Queensland?
He focused on “colourbond and timber” jobs. He said taking on too many job types early would be “too much” to manage while he refined workflow.
How many jobs did he complete early on?
Tom said he had done “three jobs” early, including a “51 meters” job, plus another colourbond job and a timber job. He also said he was getting “booked out a little bit”.
Who pays for a shared boundary fence?
Tom said it is “usually split evenly between the fence”. When one owner wants to lift property value quickly, they may choose to pay the full amount.
What does good customer service look like for fencing?
Tom said it comes down to “good communication” and being “well-informed” so you can relay the customer’s needs clearly. Trust makes the project smoother and can lead to follow-on work.
How do you stay disciplined when work ramps up?
Tom said his mindset came from boxing and weight loss discipline, and that business requires a “fighter” mentality. He also said his focus for the “first six months” was the business first, then training “two to three days a week” when he could.
Key Takeaways
- Independence teaches skill, but it also forces you to chase leads, admin, and sales at the same time.
- Tom quoted $200k to $300k worth of work in 2 to 3 weeks, then had to learn lead management fast.
- Keeping early work tight, like colourbond and timber, helps you organise labour and delivery.
- In Queensland, neighbour dynamics and local conditions shape the job as much as materials.
- Clear communication reduces the risk for customers spending serious money on long-term fencing.
Take The Next Step
Need A Local Fence Quote With Low Risk?
For local service backed by professional standards and the Jim’s National Guarantee, click here.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Fencing today.
Want To Own A Jim’s Fencing Franchise And Scale Faster?
Tom’s first weeks show what happens when you stop chasing leads and start managing a real pipeline.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.