We get asked these questions every week. Here are honest answers from Ron Piggott, Jim’s Calandra Electrical franchisee. This article covers 9 of the most common questions about why electricians are choosing Jim’s Electrical Franchise.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why did you choose Jim’s Electrical?
Ron chose Jim’s Electrical because he was already an electrician and wanted to get back into business with more support.
He had worked for himself before as a sole trader. The work was familiar, but the business side was harder because he said he had “no help whatsoever.” This time, he wanted support and guidance behind him.
That is a common reason experienced tradespeople look at the Jim’s Electrical franchise opportunity. They already know how to do the trade. What they want is a better way to run, organise, and grow the business around that trade.
For Ron, the decision was not about starting from zero as an electrician. It was about returning to business with a system around him.
Why choose a franchise over going independent?
Ron chose a franchise over going independent because of “the leads and already set up ready to go.”
That is the practical difference for many electricians. Going independent can mean building the name, the marketing, the customer process, the systems, and the lead flow from scratch. A franchise gives you a structure to work within from day one.
Ron had already worked on his own before. That experience gave him a clear view of what can be difficult when you go out alone. The electrical work is only one part of the job. The other part is running the business, finding the work, quoting, following up, and staying organised.
For electricians comparing both paths, the appeal of owning a Jim’s franchise is the support around the operator. You still run your own business, but you are not left to figure out every part by yourself.
How has the franchisor been throughout the process?
Ron said the process has been very easy, and the franchisor has been helpful and easy to deal with.
His exact answer was: “It’s very easy. He’s been very helpful, easy to deal with, and everything’s done already.”
That matters because the early stage of joining a franchise can feel overwhelming. New franchisees need to understand training, systems, setup, leads, expectations, and how the business will actually operate.
For Ron, the experience was straightforward because the key parts were already in place. He was not trying to invent the business structure himself. He had someone to deal with, ask questions, and lean on during the setup process.
This is one of the main differences between starting alone and starting with a franchisor. The right support can reduce confusion, especially for experienced tradies who are strong on the tools but do not want to waste time building every business process from scratch.
What was your biggest concern before deciding?
Ron’s biggest concern was that he thought he could already do the test and tag himself.
He had looked at the test and tag side and believed he could do it independently. That is a fair concern. Many experienced tradespeople already have the skills to perform the work, so they naturally ask whether they really need a franchise structure.
Ron said, “I actually thought about doing it myself, but this came up on Facebook, and I went, you know what, this will do. And so I looked into it and thought, yep, this is great.”
The important point is that trade skills and business setup are not the same thing. You may know how to do the work, but still want a system for leads, setup, mentoring, and support. That is where the franchise model can make sense.
Electricians who are also looking at compliance-related services may also compare related options such as starting a Jim’s Test and Tag franchise, depending on their skills, location, and goals.
How have you found the training so far?
Ron found the training very thorough, helpful, and useful, even with his long trade background.
His answer was clear: “Very thorough, pointed out a few things that I hadn’t thought of, and very helpful.”
That is worth noting because Ron is not new to the electrical industry. He has 48 years of experience as a sparky. Even so, the training still raised things he had not thought about.
Good franchise training should not treat experienced people like beginners. It should fill the gaps between technical skills and business operations. For a tradie, that can include customer handling, systems, quoting, process, safety, lead response, and how the brand expects work to be delivered.
Ron’s answer shows that training can still be valuable for someone who already knows the trade. It is not just about learning how to be an electrician. It is about learning how to run the business in the Jim’s system.
What qualities do you like about the Jim’s system?
Ron likes that the Jim’s system is structured, step-by-step, and backed by mentoring.
His exact answer was: “Structured and step-by-step process. Just the mentoring, having Cam there to assist, and having someone to help. And also, there’s another reference, if I need some help with electrical questions as well.”
That answer goes to the heart of why some experienced electricians choose a franchise. They are not looking for someone to hold their hand on every job. They want a system that gives them a clear way to operate and people they can call when needed.
The mentoring also matters. Ron mentioned having Cam there to assist, plus another reference for electrical questions. That gives him more than one layer of support.
For a trade business owner, that can be useful in real situations. If a question comes up or a process needs checking, having someone available can save time and reduce guesswork.
How long have you been a sparky?
Ron has been a sparky for 48 years.
His answer was: “Too long, 48 years, love it. It’s a great trade to be in. And in my opinion, it’s the king of the trades.”
That background gives weight to his answers. Ron is not coming into electrical work without experience. He knows the industry, understands the work, and still sees value in the Jim’s Electrical model.
He also explained why he enjoys the trade.
In his words: “Don’t get too dirty and you get to use your brains, and you get to do a lot of different stuff.”
That is a useful point for anyone considering electrical work as a long-term business. The trade has variety. It requires problem-solving. It can also give experienced operators a strong base to build a business around, especially when combined with structure and support.
What to you is good customer service?
To Ron, good customer service means doing the job well, being friendly, and responding quickly when customers need help.
He described it simply: “What would they like? What they want is a job done well, friendly service, and responding immediately when they need help.”
That is especially important in electrical work because customers often call when something has gone wrong. If the power trips, the customer does not want slow replies or vague promises. They want someone who can respond quickly and help get the power back on.
Ron said, “If they get a problem, the power trips, you want to be able to get there as quick as you can, help them out so they’ve got power.”
That is a strong customer service principle for any Jim’s Electrical franchisee. Be responsive. Be friendly. Do the work properly. Solve the problem the customer actually has.
Customers can also learn more about the wider Jim’s Group work guarantee and how the brand approaches service standards across its divisions.
Are you surprised that Jim does the training as well?
Ron was a little surprised that Jim did the training as well, especially because of how in-depth it was.
He said, “A little bit, but I thought it’d be some sort of training, maybe with Cam, but no, definitely surprised at how in-depth it is.”
That answer says a lot about the training experience. Ron expected some form of training, but he did not expect it to be as detailed as it was.
For new franchisees, especially experienced tradespeople, that can be reassuring. The training is not just a quick welcome session. It gives franchisees a clearer understanding of the system, expectations, and the way Jim’s Group operates.
It also shows that the business is built around more than branding. The value is in the structure, support, training, mentoring, and practical systems that help operators run their business with more confidence.
Thinking About Joining Jim’s Electrical?
Ron’s story is a practical example of why experienced electricians are choosing Jim’s Electrical Franchise. He already knew the trade. He had already worked for himself. What he wanted this time was more support, more structure, and a clearer system behind the business.
That is the real takeaway. A franchise does not replace your trade skill. It gives your trade skill a business framework to operate inside.
If you are an electrician looking at your next move, the full video is worth watching. It gives a short, honest look at what stood out to Ron: ready-made setup, leads, franchisor support, mentoring, thorough training, and a step-by-step system.
To learn more about joining Jim’s Group, visit Jim’s Group franchise opportunities or call 131 546 to speak with the team.