Becoming a franchisee can be both rewarding and lucrative. However, it might not be for everybody.

Before you decide to enter the business world as a franchise representative, there are some keys questions you need to get answered.

What is the franchise model?

No two companies are alike, and even though owning a franchise gives you autonomy, at the end of the day, you're still a part of a bigger whole.

With this in mind, it's important to understand how the franchise you're considering is modelled. This means finding out what specific rules are in place to ensure consistency between services, products and brand. This may also include things like opportunity for expansion.

Every company will have its own special franchise model in place, so make sure yours suits you before signing on the dotted line.

What are the costs of the franchise?

Becoming a franchise owner is one of the simplest ways to run your own business and be your own boss. However, even though it can be much more affordable than starting a business from scratch, it will still cost money.

Make sure you understand all the costs associated with running your franchise, from rent to account fees and everything in between. Additionally, keep in mind the cost of hiring employees, such as liability and workers' compensation insurance.

What kind of support will your franchise receive?

Different companies may be more hands on than others, so it's important to know what kind of support you can count on from the home office for your store.

For instance, will the company offer training and professional development courses to help you stay up to date on the latest products and business techniques? Chances are you'll want to be a franchisee who can depend on ongoing support while also maintaining your freedom.

Investing in custom designed sheds comes with many benefits, but the most important generally have to do with the suitability and flexibility of custom designs. After all, there's no point in building custom designed sheds if they don't deliver what you're looking for.

The right space for the right job

How you plan on using your custom designed shed should determine its size and shape.

For instance, commercial sheds used to store equipment will likely have different requirements than sheds used as workspaces.

Other building considerations, such as doors, windows and ventilation, will also need to be taken into account. With custom design, you can ensure you have the right space for the right job. This is part of the ShedBoss difference.

Built for your site

In addition to how the shed will be used, it's vital to ensure your custom designed sheds are suited to your building site.

Different sites will come with unique building requirements, influenced by everything from local regulations to the slope of the land.

The talented designers at ShedBoss will work with you every step of the way to make sure your commercial sheds not only fit how you plan to use them, but where they will be constructed.

Great-looking appearance

While practicality is likely at the forefront of your mind, there's nothing stopping you from building sheds that are attractive as well as functional.

Here at ShedBoss, we're dedicated to quality craftsmanship. This means constructing custom designed sheds that will not only stand the test of time, but also add value through appearance.

Part of this is our commitment to using only premium-quality materials. Another factor is our devotion to working with clients every step of the way, from design to construction. This ensures you're always up to date on how the finished product will turn out.

Business owners around Australia should take note of data coming out of the City of Melbourne.

The Victorian capital reported on March 28 that extreme heat experienced over a three-day period in mid-January cost businesses $37 million in lost revenue. This was partly blamed on discomfort, lack of motivation and reduced morale due to heat.

Meanwhile, 62 per cent of the 600 local businesses surveyed said they had to deal with extra operational costs, such as increased air-conditioning.

Finally, more than half of businesses (52 per cent) said they were very or fairly concerned about how future heat waves may impact their business.

For its part, the city said it was undertaking plans to reduce the problems associated with heat waves.

"We're doubling tree canopy cover for our urban forest, upgrading drainage infrastructure, funding more energy efficient buildings, implementing planning processes to minimise climate risk and installing various water-sensitive urban design initiatives," City of Melbourne Environment Portfolio Chair and Councillor Arron Wood said.

"Heatwaves don't only impact our city economically, heat related illness also kills more Australian's each year than any other natural disaster so City of Melbourne has identified this as a priority issue we must prepare better for.

While growing trees for extra shade cover is all well and good, many businesses across Australia can't simply plant a shade tree in front of their shop and hope for the best.

In these cases, investing in outdoor awnings can be a great way to reduce heat and save on energy costs.

Window awnings can reduce solar heat, lessening the discomfort of both employees and customers inside your building. They can also help you save on power bills by lessening the need for air conditioning.

Come see examples and talk to the awning experts at your nearest ShedBoss outlet.

As all too many property owners in Australia know, termites can be more than just a pest – they can also ruin buildings.

According to the Australian Termite Research Centre, there are more than 350 species of termites in the country.

While most prefer to eat leaves and dead grass, 10 per cent are drawn to the wood often used in constructing houses and custom deigned sheds.

Termites hollow out timber while leaving a thin layer of the wood intact on the surface. This protects them from being seen and dealing with predatory creatures.

However, the damage they do inside the wood can be costly and unsightly. This may include earthen masses on doors, walls and stairs, as well as blistered or building paint on windows and doors.

More important than the ruined appearance of wood is the danger termites can pose. First, damage to flooring and roof timbers can present a very real physical hazard for individuals working in commercial sheds.

Secondly, termite infestations can lead to electrical failures thanks tot he wiring located in subfloor areas and roof cavities. In turn, this could lead to fire.

While there are plenty of strategies you can use to try to identify, prevent and eliminate termite infestations, the simplest action is constructing your custom designed sheds out of materials that are not vulnerable to termites.

Building with ShedBoss steel

Here at ShedBoss, we're committed to quality craftsmanship, and that includes building with premium materials. Our steel buildings are designed to not only comply with the building codes of Australia, but ensure your commercial sheds stand the test of time.

Steel construction eliminates the danger of termites while also providing you with a building that can withstand extreme weather conditions.

This is just one example of how ShedBoss is dedicated to building strong and building right.

While the type of work being done in your custom designed shed will certainly impact lighting design, there are some general things to keep in mind to ensure your space meets your needs.

Be bright

When it comes to lighting custom designed workshops, too much is typically preferable to too little.

Proper lighting is an integral safety factor, and having a brilliantly lit workshop will reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring in dark corners or shadowy areas.

Also keep in mind that light is essential to whatever work you're performing. If you can't see what you're doing, there's no doubt your work is going to suffer.

Plan ahead

Your lighting needs today may be different down the line. Therefore, when designing the lighting system for custom designed workshops, try to keep the future in mind.

The work you use your shop for may change or expand, after all. Plus, it's a fact of life that light becomes more integral as we age.

Your eyesight will most likely deteriorate over time, requiring more light to perceive the same level of brightness.

This could make investing in dimmable lights a good option. How much light you use can be changed from job to job or increased over the years.

Explore your options

Workshop lighting doesn't just have to be a light bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling.

There are many unique options available, some more suitable for your needs than others.

For instance, fluorescent overhead fixtures are a classic and relatively inexpensive choice.

Meanwhile, under-cabinet lighting could be used to illuminate specific work areas. This type of lighting can be invaluable for work that requires specific attention to detail in smaller areas.

You might even want to consider portable floodlights that can be used for specific jobs, allowing you to adjust height and direction on the fly.

ShedSafe-accredited organisations such as ShedBoss have undergone careful inspection from an independent third party to ensure we meet specific design and documentation criteria.

Accreditation also means we're dedicated to building strong and building safely for your specific site. With this in mind, there are certain questions our clients can expect to be asked when they request a quote for custom designed sheds.

First, we'll ask you what the shed will be used for. As an example, do you plan on storing industrial equipment, housing livestock or building commercial sheds to be used as multi-purpose classrooms?

We'll also inquire as to how far from the coastline the shed will be built. Next we'll ask whether the shed will be subjected to extreme weather conditions, such as snow or cyclones. Understanding the severity of local climates ensures we construct a product that suits your needs.

It's also important for us to know what the surrounding area is like. Will your shed be built in a suburban setting? Is it to be located on open plain? Potential exposure is a key issue for us to identify before construction begins.

Next comes site specifics dealing with hills, slopes and escarpments. Variations in the land can play a major role in how commercial sheds are constructed, after all.

We will also need to know if there are existing structures near your building site, as well as how far away these buildings are.

Your answers to these questions will help us determine the design strength of your custom designed shed, as well as how much such a project will likely cost.

In the meantime, if you're looking for an indicative quote for your shed, fill out the form here. The more accurate you are, the better the results. Also keep in mind that we may need to ring you for more information.

Compared to some construction projects, such as large industrial sheds, a carport may seem like a somewhat minor concern.

Then again, the term carport can be misleading. In addition to the small sheds many people picture housing one or two domestic vehicles, carports can also be used to store boats, caravans or even whole fleets of commercial vehicles.

Regardless of how your carport will be used, there are two main considerations to keep in mind.

Following local laws

As with any construction project, from carports to custom built patios, ensuring you follow local laws to the letter is essential. Every region has its own unique regulations in place relating to construction, and whether your carport is used for residential or commercial purposes, it's up to you to obtain the proper permits and meet local building codes.

Fortunately, the team at Shed Boss is happy to help our clients every step of the way, from obtaining necessary building approval to designing carports that meet building requirements in your area.

Deciding on dimensions

How your carport will be used is an important construction factor.

For instance, if it's going to sit beside your house, used by you and your family for your vehicles, you need to account for surrounding buildings during construction. You must also keep in mind how the number of vehicles you own, as well as their sizes, may change in the future.

Chances are your carport will outlast your current vehicle, so it's important to plan ahead.

This is even more vital for carports used at commercial locations. If you're looking to provide vehicle shelter for employees or customers, you'll need to ensure you meet the needs of a wide range of vehicles.

While the benefits of awnings may be the same for home and business owners, the awnings themselves are unique to each building.

If you're considering outdoor awnings for your home or business, there are a number of unique factors to take into account.

Purpose

The main purpose of your awning will inform its overall design. After all, some outdoor awnings may be for shading and weather protection, but others could simply be an aesthetic choice.

The great thing is that regardless of why you invested in outdoor awnings, they can protect you and others from sunlight and provide energy savings, reducing heat gain inside buildings while offering respite from the harsh Australian sun.

Size

Perhaps the most important design consideration for outdoor awnings concerns size.

How big your awning is will impact the coverage it can provide, as well as how it fits on your building. An awning that is not designed with size in mind will fail to offer sufficient shade or heat protection, and an awning that is either too big or small could also ruin the aesthetic value it can bring to buildings.

Style

Outdoor awnings may serve a practical purpose, but how they look is another important factor. After all, there's no rule that says keeping your building protected from sun means it must look shabby or boring.

Awnings can come in various colours and designs. In this way, not only can they make outdoor areas more comfortable, they can also add to the overall visual appearance of your home or business.

No matter what your outdoor awnings needs are, we here at Shed Boss can help. We encourage you to come see our displays and talk to the professionals at your nearest Shed Boss outlet. You can also apply online for a free awning quote here.

All commercial sheds should be constructed with safety in mind. This is why ShedSafe accredited builders provide their clients with specific information on their quotes relating to safety concerns such as wind speed.

For example, the region in which your custom designed sheds are built will affect the type of weather conditions it must be designed to withstand. This makes classifying wind region an essential part of the building process.

Next, ShedSafe accredited builders should determine the importance level of wind speed. This is based on what your shed will be used for and ensures commercial sheds comply with the Building Code of Australia.

Meanwhile, terrain category refers to what surrounds the proposed building site of the shed and topography accounts for whether the shed is placed on a hill, slope or flat surface.

Whether your custom designed shed is surrounded by structures that will shield it from wind is also an important factor to consider.

ShedSafe accredited builders will also let you know what your site wind speed is, which will be measured in metres per second. This is a vital factor to be aware of, as lower site wind speeds typically require less steel and therefore lower costs.

Shed Boss is proud to be ShedSafe accredited. Achieving this benchmark cannot be bought – it must be earned. The fact that we underwent rigorous independent auditing for the certification process shows our commitment to building strong and building right.

Building with specific site requirements in mind is a vital part of constructing quality commercial sheds, and it's something the designers and builders at Shed Boss are focused on through every step of the construction process.

If you're planning on building custom designed sheds, you owe it to yourself to work with builders who make safety a priority.