Before joining Jim’s Electrical, Chris Hutt was relying on mates to find subcontracting work and sometimes calling them on Sundays looking for his next job. After comparing several franchise options, he chose Jim’s Electrical because he could speak directly with existing Sparkies, ask about their workload and turnover, and get a clearer picture of what running the business could look like.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why Did Chris Choose Jim’s Electrical Over Other Franchises?
Chris chose Jim’s Electrical because he wanted a better way to find regular work without having to rely on mates to keep him busy.
Before joining Jim’s Group, Chris was working as a subcontractor. He had several mates who were Sparkies, so he would contact them when he needed work. At times, that meant calling mates on a Sunday and asking whether they had anything available.
For Chris, that arrangement became frustrating.
“Calling mates up on a Sunday, asking for work was a bit tedious, and it didn’t sit well with me,” he said.
He started looking at his financial situation and the options available to him. Starting through a franchise became one possibility, and Chris considered several different systems before deciding on Jim’s Electrical.
What mattered was finding an option that suited his lifestyle and gave him more confidence that work would be available. Electricians considering a similar move can learn more about what is involved when they own a Jim’s franchise.
What Made Jim’s Electrical Different From Other Franchise Options?
The biggest difference for Chris was that Jim’s gave him access to existing Sparkies before he made his decision.
Chris said some of the other franchise opportunities he considered focused mainly on what he would pay and what he would receive in return. What he did not see was enough evidence about how the businesses were actually performing.
With Jim’s, he was given the contact details of people already operating electrical businesses within the system.
Chris could call them directly and ask practical questions.
He asked how much turnover they were doing and how much regular work they had. That gave him an opportunity to hear directly from people already running the type of business he was considering.
When asked whether the other systems gave him the same access, Chris was clear.
“No, they didn’t give me any access,” he said.
For someone comparing franchise opportunities, speaking with existing operators can provide another layer of information alongside the numbers, fees and inclusions presented during the decision-making process.
Prospective franchisees can also review the Jim’s Group franchise FAQs when researching how the wider franchise system works.
How Quickly Did Chris Get Work After Joining Jim’s Electrical?
Chris worked three or four days in his first week with Jim’s Electrical, then said the business took off from his second week.
“Business was great,” Chris said.
The first week was not immediately a full working week. He worked for three or four days. By the following week, however, he described himself as “flying” and “off and running”.
That timeframe was particularly important given Chris’s circumstances when he started the business.
He had recently lost his job. He and his family had also bought a house; they had a mortgage to pay, and their savings were going down.
Has Chris Had Consistent Work With Jim’s Electrical?
Chris said he had been “flat out every day” for three years by the time of the interview.
The workload does not mean he works the same number of days every week. Chris said some weeks he works six days and other weeks he works four.
The important difference for him is that he now decides.
“It’s just up to me,” he said.
That control is a major theme throughout Chris’s story. Before starting his own business, his concern was not simply whether he could find electrical work. He also disliked relying on other people to decide when he could work and, later, whether he could take time away.
Three years into the business, Chris describes having both a steady workload and more control over how he structures his working week.
Again, Chris does not give exact turnover or income figures for those three years. His comments relate specifically to workload and his own experience running the business.
What Support Do Jim’s Electrical Franchisees Receive?
Chris says he receives support from other franchisees, the Jim’s Electrical team and the call centre when he needs it.
His experience started with training. Chris described the training as having “a lot of information”, but said it was easy enough to get through and that the people involved were a good group.
The support continued after training.
Chris said the group regularly communicates through WhatsApp. Franchisees can ask questions in the group, and other people respond and help when someone needs advice.
He also identified two people who provide different types of support.
Cam helps more with the franchise side of the business, while Miles provides technical assistance. Chris described Miles as “a bit of a guru in electrical” and said franchisees can contact him about regulations or situations where they are unsure about something.
Chris also has access to the call centre when he needs it. He said he does not use that support often, but the help is available when required.
Prospective business owners can learn more about how Jim’s Group helps franchisees through training, systems and ongoing support.
Does The Jim’s Electrical Brand Help Build Customer Trust?
Chris believes being part of Jim’s helps because customers recognise that a larger company stands behind the person doing the job.
From Chris’s perspective, customers want confidence that they will be looked after if something goes wrong.
“I think a lot of customers choose Jim’s because it’s a big company,” he said.
He believes that broader backing also creates accountability for franchisees. His point was that an operator cannot simply turn up, do part of a job and then disappear without consequences.
“They’re not going to get somebody that’s going to rock up, do half a job and leave,” Chris said.
That accountability is one of the advantages Chris sees in operating under the Jim’s name.
It does not mean problems can never happen. Rather, Chris believes customers have greater confidence knowing the local operator is connected to a wider system and cannot simply walk away from an issue.
For more context on the division itself, prospective franchisees can read about Cameron Scott, Divisional Franchisor of Jim’s Electrical.
Can A Jim’s Electrical Franchisee Choose Their Own Working Hours?
Chris says he now has much more control over when he works and when he takes time off.
That flexibility has become increasingly important because he has a young daughter.
Over the next 12 months, Chris said his goal was to improve his work-life balance, take days off when he needed them, and spend more time with his daughter and family while still operating the business to its capacity.
That is a major change from his previous working life.
Chris said he did not fully realise how much subcontracting and being told what to do every day had affected him mentally.
Taking holidays could also be difficult.
He remembers calling his boss and saying he needed time off, only to be told that the business was too busy and he could not take the holiday.
Even when annual leave was available, Chris said disagreements around taking time off could become difficult.
Running his own business has changed that dynamic.
“If I wanted a day off tomorrow, I just don’t work tomorrow,” he said.
Chris is describing his own experience rather than promising that every franchisee will work the same schedule. For him, however, having greater control of his calendar is one of the biggest changes that came with running his own business.
Jim’s Group also offers a virtual day on the road with franchisees for people who want a closer look at what running a franchise can involve.
Was Chris Worried About Starting A Franchise After Losing His Job?
Chris described starting his own business as a nerve-wracking decision because he had just lost his job, bought a house, and had a mortgage to pay.
Money was a genuine concern.
His savings were depleting, and starting a business meant taking another major step at an already uncertain time.
Chris also said confidence was something he needed.
“A little bit of confidence. It’s a big step to start your own business,” he said.
His circumstances made the decision more confronting. He was not starting from a position where nothing was at stake. His household already had financial responsibilities, and he needed to work out what he was going to do next after losing his job.
Chris described it as “a bit of a what the hell am I going to do situation”.
Three years later, his assessment is simple.
“It’s worked out.”
He compared several options, spoke directly with existing Sparkies, and asked questions about turnover and regular work before deciding which direction to take.
For qualified electricians considering a Jim’s Electrical franchise, the next step is to research the opportunity, ask detailed questions, speak with existing operators, and decide whether the business and lifestyle suit their circumstances.
To learn more about becoming a franchisee, call Jim’s Group on 131 546.