Agency Express is the UK’s largest provider of professional estate agency board services
 

Multi award winning Agency Express was established in 1998 to offer a nationwide professional board service to both corporate and independent estate agencies.

Today, via a network of 114 successful franchise operators Agency Express erects, services and maintains over 47% of all estate agency boards in the UK.

As a market leader and an award winning franchise, franchisees benefit from a nationally recognised brand, established reputation, comprehensive franchise package and proven business formulas.

Why choose Agency Express

• Low start-up costs
• A van based business with low overheads
• 100% daily repeat business
• Existing national accounts
• No national competitor
• Family friendly working hours
• Simple to operate
• Centralised invoicing and payments system
• Minimal paperwork
• Accredited by both the British and Irish Franchise Associations

The franchise package

The unique Agency Express franchise package requires an investment of £24,500 plus fully claimable VAT and has been carefully designed to get your business up & running straight away.

• Territory licence - A 10-year licence to access SignMaster3, the Agency Express online board management system. SignMaster3 and the Signmaster3 Franchisee App enables you to seamlessly manage all work on a daily basis, plan and navigate shortest routes, and divide your work economically amongst your workforce.

• Fully sign written van - The deposit paid on a new Renault Master van, supplied complete with Agency Express graphics, bespoke removable racking and satellite navigation system.
   
• Comprehensive training - A total of eight days training coving all aspects of our business and a business launch in your own territory.
   
• Specialist tools and equipment - All tools and equipment are provided for you to get your business up and running. Included in our comprehensive package is an Android smart phone, a specialist vinyl printer, together with supplies of vinyl, 4mm ‘correx’, compact ladders and a variety of other bespoke tools makes the completion of all work straightforward and efficient.
   
• Access to SignMaster3 - A 10 year licence to access SignMaster3, the Agency Express online board management system. SignMaster3 and the Signmaster3 Franchisee App enables you to seamlessly manage all work on a daily basis, plan and navigate shortest routes, and divide your work economically amongst your workforce.
   
• Corporate clothing -  An all-weather range of high quality banded corporate clothing and essential day to day safety wear.
   
• Stationery and marketing literature - All the start-up corporate stationery supplies you will require to market your business, including business cards and a wide range of marketing literature.
   
• Public liability insurance - The premium paid on your first 12 months’ public liability insurance, covering you for £5,000,000.
   
• Operations manual - A comprehensive Franchise Procedure and Operations Manual covering all aspects of the business.
   
• Launch and ongoing support - Pre-launch and post-launch business support. Comprising extensive territory research, customer database creation, pre-launch and post-launch mailshot campaigns.
   

The earning potential

Each franchise territory is carefully designed to give you the maximum reward for your efforts and to enable you to put additional vehicles and employees on the road as your business expands. Ultimately, your earnings are determined by your own ambition and there is no upper limit!

Agency Express top franchisees turned over in excess of £160,000, with many others exceeding £100,000 but an established single vehicle operation should turnover in the region of £65,000 which, after expenditure should provide a net profit of approximately £45,000

Don’t just take our word for it

“I was very impressed by the professional approach and care that Agency Express took in selecting the right people to join the franchise network. I found the training course extremely helpful, but the ongoing support once I’d started the business was even more valuable. The team at head office were on the end of the phone whenever I needed help with pricing queries or technical issues.” Agency Express, Shropshire
 

“I was attracted to Agency Express because of the potential that is out there to grow the business. So far my experience has been fantastic, I really do enjoy the day to day job. As soon as I see a new estate agent pop up I can’t wait to go in and introduce myself!”
Agency Express, Chelmsford

Agency Express voted Supplier of the Year at the 2017 ESTAS Awards

We are delighted to announce that Agency Express has been recognised for outstanding customer service by the largest, and longest running award scheme in the UK residential property industry. The ESTAS determines the best suppliers in the industry based on feedback from estate and letting agents who are asked a series of questions about the services they have received. This years’ competition saw a record breaking 34,000 surveys completed.

Agency Express was presented with the prestigious Gold award for ‘Supplier of the Year’ and a ‘Best in Sector’ award in the ‘Board Specialists’ category. The award was announced by TV property expert Phil Spencer at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane London where 1,000 of the UK’s top property professionals attended.

Phil Spencer, who has hosted the ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 said: This industry doesn’t get enough credit for the work it does in helping millions of customers around the UK in making their dreams come true, and at The ESTAS we want to highlight that fact.” Addressing the audience he added, “the industry’s leading suppliers are instrumental in helping agents deliver a great customer experience so it’s only right that The ESTAS recognises their efforts too.

Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS added: Like it not we live in a world where the consumer decision making process is influenced more and more by customer reviews, so The ESTAS provides a kite mark of excellent service for any property professional involved in the home moving process.

Stephen Watson Managing Director of Agency Express said; We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as the UK’s best supplier at this year’s ESTAS. The award holds so much meaning for us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice and they’ve chosen Agency Express. We have always been very proud of the personal service we provide and this proves we are delivering what we promise. So, we would like to say thank you to all of our customers that voted and thank you to our network of franchise operators that uphold the brand on a daily basis.

ESTAS Supplier of the Year Awards 2016

We are delighted to announce that Agency Express has achieved the Silver award for ‘Supplier of the Year’ in the coveted 2016 ESTAS, making Agency Express the number one board operator in the UK as voted by estate agents.

Presented by Phil Spencer the ‘ESTAS Supplier of the Year’ is an important category within the awards as it recognises high levels of customer service and overall value added to an agents business by their supplier. More importantly entries are not judged on written submissions or by judging panels but by the thoughts of our customers who have taken the time to rate and leave testament to our services.

Simon Brown who owns the ESTAS quoted “as a supplier winning one of the gleaming ESTAS proves that your people can be trusted. In fact just taking part shows your commitment to your customers and to be shortlisted, as all of you here today have, means you already have the trust factor”.

Agency Express always strives for excellence in the services we provide. Achieving these awards gives testament to our continued investment in improving and adapting to the needs of our customers and to the great relationships we have with them.

On behalf of everyone at Agency Express HQ and our network of franchisees, we would like to thank all of our customers that took the time to vote for Agency Express and to those who have shown us continual support.

Double Win for Agency Express at the 2015 ESTAS

Agency Express is delighted to announce that they have been recognised for outstanding customer service to their clients by the largest and longest running award scheme in the UK residential property industry. The ESTAS determines the best suppliers in the industry through research carried out amongst agents who are asked a series of questions about the service they have received from their suppliers. This years’ competition saw 25,000 surveys completed.

As well as making the Top Ten Suppliers list and taking away the ‘Best in Sector‘ award for ‘Board Services’ Agency Express were presented with the prestigious Gold award for ‘Supplier of the Year’.

The winners were announced by Phil Spencer, the TV Property expert at the 12th annual ESTAS ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane on 17th April. 

Phil Spencer commented: “I think these awards help all firms to focus on customer service for the greater good of our own businesses as well as the wider industry. We must all drive standards higher, raising the bar in terms of the quality of advice we offer and the level of customer care we deliver”.

Simon Brown ESTAS owner said: “The ESTAS are special because shortlisted and winning suppliers are selected purely on the service they deliver to their clients. In fact just taking part shows a firm’s commitment to their clients and to be shortlisted is a great achievement in itself. For the winners this is the highest accolade they can receive in the industry.”

Final thoughts came from Stephen Watson, Managing Director of Agency Express: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the 2015 ESTAS. This award is incredibly important to us as it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know agents have a choice, and they’ve chosen to work with Agency Express. At Agency Express we’re passionate about the services we provide and we strive to deliver award winning services. Achieving the Gold for ‘Supplier of the Year’ shows that we do just that. ”

Negotiator Awards Bronze win for Agency Express

Agency Express proudly announce their recent Bronze award for ‘Supplier of the Year – Products and Services’ at the highly revered 2015 Negotiator Awards.

The Negotiator Awards celebrates the successes and achievements of those within the residential property market. On Tuesday 3rd November 730 of the industries finest attended the dazzling Negotiator Awards ceremony at The Hilton Park Lane Hotel, where the winners were presented with their awards by comedian and actor Alistair McGowan. Agency Express were selected among the top 7 finalists for the ‘Supplier of the Year – Products and Services’ category and were delighted to be announced as the Bronze award winner. 

Stephen Watson, Managing Director of Agency Express shared his thoughts: We were delighted to be awarded with the Bronze for ‘Supplier of the Year Products and Services’. The supplier category is always very strong and we were proud to be amongst the final selection of suppliers. There are many great suppliers to the estate agency industry; we all bring something different to the table and often work together to complement each other’s services. At Agency Express we’re passionate about the services we deliver and we continually look at ways in which we can improve. Winning a Negotiator Award for a third consecutive year demonstrates our commitment to delivering a high standard of service to the industry. 

Agency Express announced as Franchisor of the Year

Multi-award winning Agency Express is the UK’s largest provider of specialist estate agency board services. Through their extensive network of franchise operators, Agency Express service and maintain over 40% of all UK estate agency boards – completing over 90,000 visits to properties every month.

The Agency Express franchise foundations are built upon first class support systems, proven business formulas and industry leading technology. This is why out of the UK’s 930 franchise brands Agency Express were announced as the UK’s best franchise, winning the Gold award for ‘bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year’.

The ‘bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year’ award recognises the UK’s most exceptional franchisors for their business growth and development, service excellence and commitment to ethical franchising. Achieving a Gold status for this prestigious award is the highest honour available to a franchise brand and previous winners have included multinational franchises such as McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizzas.

The judges highly commended Agency Express for their commitment to technological innovation, delivered in the form of SignMaster3 their complete online business management tool and admired their attention to ethical franchising and improving the lives of their franchisees.

Commenting on Agency Express’s achievements Cathryn Hayes head of Business Support for the bfa said:

From a group of finalists that demonstrated the highest standards and practices, Agency Express stood out for an unsurpassed focus on the work/life balance and livelihoods of their franchisees. Continual improvements to systems and support, with a focus on technological innovations, have resulted in significant impact on the performance and efficiency of franchisee businesses, whilst the franchisor has borne all development costs. Regular finalists in recent years, this is a business worthy of taking home the highest accolade a UK franchise business can achieve.

Andy Brattesani, UK head of franchising for HSBC added:

The emphasis placed by Agency Express on the performance and satisfaction of its franchisees has been nothing short of remarkable. The dominant brand in its marketplace, it would have been easy for the company’s directors to rest on their laurels as the business achieved full coverage nationwide. Instead they’ve commendably done the exact opposite, eking out maximum performance from every aspect of their business model. This is a business at the top of its game. We’re delighted to recognise those efforts with this award.

Final thoughts came from Agency Express Managing Director Stephen Watson:

“We’re honored to have been selected as the 2015 ‘bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year’. This revered award showcases the UK’s most outstanding franchisors and year on year the level of excellence increases. This is the third consecutive year that we have been judged as a finalist and to be awarded the Gold in such a strong category is fantastic, a feat not many franchisors achieve.

At Agency Express we are committed to the growth and development of our business, but most importantly as a franchisor we have a responsibility to support the needs and welfare of our franchisees. Over the past 12 months we have made substantial reinvestements into our online systems and support structure to ensure our franchisees can thrive whilst maintaining a very healthy work/life balance. Achieving the ‘bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year’ award not only recognises our advancements and successes in the last 12 months; but forms the pinnacle of success representing all we have strived for in the last 17 years of franchising.”

Steve Macqueen, Agency Express Yeovil and Dorchester

Steve Macqueen became an Agency Express franchisee in January 2017. After spending a number of years in sales for the food and catering industry, Steve was ready for a change of direction and set his sights on owning a business.

Steve began his journey at the 2016 National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham, where he approached Agency Express looking for his ideal business. After spending time researching the industry and carefully considering his option’s, Steve decided that the Agency Express franchise opportunity met all his requirements.

I wanted a simple to operate, task orientated franchise and the Agency Express model provided that. However, it was the ongoing back up from head office that really appealed to me, specifically the ongoing support with accounts and credit control.

After successfully completing a comprehensive five day training course at head office, Steve he was assisted in the launch of his new business. This included a three day programme of visits to estate agencies in his local area enabling him to make first contact with potential customers.Steve excelled in this area and thrived on meeting people and forging new relationships.

The Agency Express training process is very good. All aspects are covered thoroughly. There was a lot take in but the backup from head office and other franchisees is fantastic, so I felt supported every step of the way.

Less than a year from inception Steve has established a solid base of customers and continues to grow his business. His patient approach in acquiring new business and high standards of service have played fundamental part in his success.

Building my business was slow to begin with but that has now started to come in nicely. The upside of gradually building the business is that I’ve had the chance to adapt the way I work whilst getting progressively busier. Now I really get a buzz when I sign a new customer.

Neil Chapman, Agency Express Keighley

Neil Chapman became an Agency Express franchisee in November 2012. Previously a Hackney Proprietor based in Oldham, Neil was ready for a new challenge and a change of direction. Being self employed for many years Neil knew of the uncertainties that starting a new business could bring. This is why a franchise opportunity appealed to him, because of the high levels of support and the increased rates of success.

"I was looking for a new venture and whilst selling my house I wondered who put the signs up for the estate agents and was there a specialised industry that dealt with this?"

Neil attended The British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester where he approached the Agency Express team looking for his ideal business. After much investigation and spending further time discussing the franchise with the Agency Express, Neil seized the opportunity of owning a van based business.

"I had attended various Franchise Exhibitions and after a bit of research decided that this might be a road I could go down. I did try another company first, but when I spoke to Agency Express and met the staff I knew that this was the company I wanted to join. I made my mind up there and then to do just that."

After successfully completing a comprehensive training course at Agency Express HQ Neil was given further support to assist in the launch of his new business. This included a 3-day programme of visits to estate agents in his territory, enabling him to make first contact with potential customers.

"The training process was a good experience. It steered me in the right direction but then I learned even more out on the streets. The time spent calling on estate agents with the training team was valuable. It gave me a good insight into dealing with the face to face part of the business as I am not a natural salesman. However, I found that SignMaster3 the Agency Express online board management system basically did the selling for me anyway. Even today it keeps me ahead of the game."

Less than a year from the inception of his business Neil had established a solid base of customers, he had quickly achieved growth and a sustainable level of income.

"There have been many highlights but I think signing up my first self generated customer would be at the top. It gave me a great confidence boost and enabled me to feel that I could push the business on from there."

Today Neil continues to thrive in his territory. He has built strong relationships with his client and his second to none approach has safeguarded him a bright and busy future.

Peter Waters, Agency Express Reading

Peter Waters became an Agency Express franchisee in 2013. After 25 years’ experience in sales positions for international distribution companies Peter made the decision to take a change of direction in his career.

Peter started his investigation by attending a free franchise seminar in London where he learnt about the Agency Express franchise offering. After spending time researching Agency Express and the franchise opportunity, Peter decided that many of his skills would transfer perfectly and seized the opportunity of owning his own van business.

"I was initially attracted by the relatively low start up price, so I decided to look further into the business. The business model was straightforward, the service was certainly needed and driving around all day was very much like what I had done during my sales career. Also, I could see that the SignMaster3 system gave Agency Express a huge advantage over the competition and that this should lead to very good sales opportunities."

After completing the Agency Express five-day training course, Peters three day assisted business launch within his territory went exceptionally well. Utilising his sales skills and experience Peter easily forged new relationships and signed his first two customers.

"The five day in house training in Norwich was very thorough and informative. This was then followed up by three days of active sales training where I visited estate agents in my area. Again, this was very useful and we signed up two customers. All in all, I would say that the training process was very good and the Head Office support after training is finished is equally as good."

Now running in to his fourth year of trading Peter has developed and solid client base and an excellent reputation among his customers. The driving factor in Peters success has been his focus on growing the business whilst maintaining an excellent standard of service. This has secured a him a profitable and robust future.

"It is good being my own boss but thankfully Head Office are always there to offer excellent support if I need it. They key is to offer exceptional service from day one, keep plugging away and the business will grow. It has been challenging but I do enjoy it; I’m very pleased that I bought my franchise."