Greame Boyd joined Jim’s Building Inspections in 2012 after working as a builder and real estate agent. Fourteen years later, he explains why the brand, franchisee support, networking, and ongoing learning have kept him with Jim’s, and why he believes the fees are worthwhile.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why Did Greame Boyd Join Jim’s Building Inspections?
For Boyd, Jim’s was the vehicle that helped him get into building inspections. He came into the business with experience as a builder and an ex-real estate agent, but the question he faced was how to turn that background into a building inspections business.
He joined Jim’s in 2012 and, 14 years later, was still operating Jim’s Building Inspections Geelong. His reason for staying was not just getting started. He pointed to the Jim’s branding, support from people such as Phil Smallman, conferences, networking and the opportunity to keep learning.
That matters when looking at the franchise fee. Boyd said, “In the scheme of things with what you earn, the fees are less than 10%.” He compared that with the money any business owner needs to put into growth and said running independently would probably cost more and take longer to become established.
For Boyd, the value is not one single service. It is the combination of brand recognition, support, learning, networking and business infrastructure that he has continued to use since 2012. That is why his answer to the fee question is straightforward: “So it’s worthwhile.”
For more detail on the division, see the Jim’s Building Inspections franchise guide.
What Support Do Jim’s Building Inspections Franchisees Receive?
For Boyd, one of the most valuable forms of support is the recognition that comes with the Jim’s name. In Geelong, he says people know him as “Boydie from Jim’s.”
That local recognition has helped make his business easier for customers to identify. Geelong is a regional town, and after years operating under the Jim’s name, Boyd says his signed car, signed shirt and connection with the brand make him easy to recognise.
He also believes the Jim’s badge carries “a degree of trust and respect”. His point is not that a logo replaces good work. He jokes that people see the Jim’s name and think, “You’re from Jim’s, so you must be right,” before adding, “Whether you are or not, I’m not sure, but I know I do okay.”
For Boyd, that brand recognition is part of the value he gets from being a Jim’s franchisee. He is not paying only for a name on a shirt. In his experience, the brand helps customers quickly understand who he is, what he does and which organisation he represents.
After 14 years with Jim’s, Boyd sees that established brand presence as an important part of the support behind his business. It gives him a recognised identity in his local market while allowing him to operate his own franchise.
Anyone comparing a Jim’s franchise with operating independently can also review how Jim’s Group helps franchisees to understand the broader support model.
What Support Do Jim’s Building Inspections Franchisees Receive?
For Boyd, one of the key benefits of being a Jim’s Building Inspections franchisee is having access to experienced people within the wider network. He specifically mentions “people like Phil” as one of the good parts of the business and one of the reasons he has stayed.
That support also creates opportunities to learn from other franchisees. Boyd says franchisees can think they know everything, “but we don’t”. Conferences give him a chance to listen, compare ideas and learn from people with different experiences across the group.
At the conference where the interview was recorded, Boyd had already heard from a life coach and a federal minister discussing possible changes to building inspections and the rating scheme. He expected to hear more throughout the event, including information he may have encountered before.
His message to other franchisees is simple: “If you don’t come, you don’t know.” While information can be passed on later by email, Boyd believes attending conferences is part of investing in yourself. In 14 years, he says he does not think he has missed a conference, apart from possibly during COVID.
For Boyd, the value of the franchise therefore extends beyond leads or the use of the Jim’s brand. He values having people to learn from, opportunities to network, and an established support network he can turn to as his business develops.
What Training and Learning Resources Does Jim’s Provide?
Boyd also identifies the Jim’s videos as a useful resource available within the group. For someone starting a building inspections business, he sees having an existing bank of information as an advantage compared with having to develop everything independently.
The videos form part of a broader learning environment that includes conferences, networking and access to experienced people within the Jim’s network. For Boyd, these resources give franchisees multiple ways to build their knowledge rather than having to work everything out alone.
His experience also shapes his view of what a franchise can provide at the beginning of a business journey. Boyd says someone may use Jim’s as a vehicle to get started and, after three or five years, decide they can operate without the group. He considers that a valid path and acknowledges that successful people have left Jim’s to build their own businesses.
His main point is that the franchise provides a stronger starting position. While going independent may eventually suit some people, Boyd believes
trying to build everything from scratch from day one will probably cost more and take longer to become established.
Prospective franchisees can also explore what it means to own a Jim’s franchise before deciding whether that structure and its resources suit them.
Is a Jim’s Building Inspections Franchise Worth the Fees?
For Boyd, the ongoing fees are worthwhile because of the combination of support, resources and brand recognition he receives as part of the Jim’s network.
He places the app alongside the other benefits he has experienced, including access to people such as Phil Smallman, conferences, networking, training videos and the established Jim’s brand. Rather than viewing the fee as payment for a single service, he considers it in the context of everything available to him as a franchisee.
Boyd says the fees are less than 10% “in the scheme of things with what you earn”, while recognising that every business still needs to invest money into growth.
He also makes an important distinction for anyone considering a franchise. Jim’s can be a long-term business model, as it has been for him since 2012, but it can also serve as a starting point for someone who eventually wants to operate independently. He does not claim the model is right for everyone.
What he does believe is that starting alone can cost more and take longer to become established. From his own experience in Geelong, Boyd sees the combination of local brand recognition, ongoing support, learning opportunities and access to the wider network as enough to make the fees worthwhile.
Want to Explore Jim’s Building Inspections?
If you are deciding whether a Jim’s Building Inspections franchise is worth the fee, look beyond the fee by itself. Compare the brand, support, learning, systems, and time needed to establish the business, then decide whether those benefits match the way you want to operate.
You can book a virtual day on the road to see more of the Jim’s franchise model before making a decision, or call 131 546 to discuss the Jim’s Building Inspections opportunity.