S W E E P I N G G R O W T H : A W H I T E PA P E R S T U D Y

Co-Sponsored by the National Chimney Sweep Guild and Chimney Safety Institute of America,

below are some highlights from the chimney service industry survey findings. This survey

is the the largest sample size and response pool either organization has ever received.

$437,000mean average gross revene

$3Bapproximate annual revenue of the industry

42%percentage of repeat customers

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Sweeping GrowthA Study of the Chimney Service and Restoration Industry

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. More than an age-old idiom, this phrase is an unfortunate reality for far too many

households in the U.S. With 386,500 residential fires reported in 20141, the need for increased awareness about

chimney, fireplace, and dryer vent safety is at an all-time high. The good news: there’s hope – and a potential oppor-

tunity to reduce devastating occurrences of large-loss fires. Not to mention, an untapped service market for savvy

entrepreneurs looking to become skilled and certified chimney experts.

Chimney services and restoration occupies a unique niche of the home services sector – prioritizing safety and

industry standards to offer customized solutions in heating and venting. With more than half of all U.S. homeowners

having at least one fireplace in their home2, this market holds great potential as the growing demand for gas appli-

ances will reveal the necessity for routine cleaning and care.

__________________________________SOURCES

1. Number of structure fires in the U.S. in 2014, by property use; LINK

2. Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association: 2011 State of the Hearth Industry Report; LINK

3. National Fire Protection Association: Latest Estimates of Home Heating Fires, 2013, October 2013; LINK

4. Chimney Safety Institute of America: Chimney Service Industry 2012 Survey Findings; LINK

5. Skilled trade jobs unfilled in our nation’s slow economy, Don C. Brunell, Daily Sun News, April 2, 2014; LINK

6. 2014 was America’s best year of job growth since 1999, Matt Egan and Heather Long, CNN, January 9, 2015; LINK

7. Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors in the U.S.: Market Research Report, IBISWorld, November 2015; LINK

8. HVAC Equipment Market, Air Conditioning, Ventilation; End-use Application: Residential, Commercial, Industrial - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends

and Forecast 2015 – 2023; August 18, 2015; LINK

9. 11 home features buyers will pay extra for, Samuel Weigley, April 28, 2013, USA Today; LINK

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Marketplace OverviewAccording to the National Fire Prevention Association, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 56,800 home fires reported in 2013 – accounting for 510 deaths, 1,470 injuries and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. And, with fireplaces, chimneys or chimney connectors being involved in two of every five home heating fires, and “failure to clean” being recorded as a factor in nearly 57% of these incidents3, the need for chimney service professionals is on the rise. In fact, only 5% to 6% of all chimneys are serviced annually - creating an attractive opportunity for those who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting a little dirty. There is much to be discovered about the chimney services industry beyond the famed scene in Disney’s Mary Poppins, where the whimsical Dick Van Dyke sings and dances in a suit of soot. Known for hands-on work and solution-oriented thinking, chimney services and restoration lends itself to a full range of offerings, including new installations, cleaning, inspections, and repairs. According to industry experts, the cost of the average sweep ranges from $150 to $250. With cleaning accounting for only a portion of a sweep’s revenue, owner-operators offering a one-stop-shop solution can maximize earning potential in an untapped market.

Among more traditional skilled trades, sweeping has redefined what it means to perform “blue collar work” while catering to an underserved niche in the

home services space.

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The Growth of the Chimney Sweeping and Restoration Business

There’s plenty of room for interested business owners to make a “clean sweep” in this industry. An estimated three million jobs were available in the skilled trades in 20145. However, the unemployment rate had only fallen to 5.6% by December - still 0.4% higher than the normal rate6, as determined by economists. Among more traditional skilled trades, sweeping has redefined what it means to perform “blue collar work” while catering to an underserved niche in the home services space. The heating and air conditioning industry, alone, is valued at $82 billion7. This global market is projected to grow along with rising urbanization, an increase in new households and average construction spending, and rise in disposable income8. A recent survey of homeowners conducted by the National Association of Realtors in 2013 revealed that 40% of homebuyers without a fireplace would be willing to pay up to $1,400 for at least one9. A steady increase in the number of people warming up to the idea of a fireplace will continue to spark a red-hot demand for chimney, fireplace, and dryer vent services.

The Competition

An estimated 5,000 companies – and 8,000 sweeps - make up the chimney services industry4. The average business size is approximately two people, making the sweeping business a top choice for those craving flexibility and security within a time-tested industry. SirVent Franchising, LLC, offers franchisees an opportunity to expand upon this model. Owner-operators can revolutionize this niche market as they run their own organized, large-scale operation with minimal competition and the guidance of four seasoned industry professionals. The high degree of manual work unique to this age-old trade creates a learning curve for many emerging professionals. However, SirVent’s state-of-the-art technology and streamlined training positions franchisees for optimal efficiency in a fast-paced, fast-growing field.

There’s plenty of room for interested business owners to make a “clean sweep” in this industry.

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The Time is NowThere’s no such thing as a “typical” day in the life of a chimney services professional. The ability to diagnose and respond to customers’ fireplace, chimney, and dryer vent needs is exciting, unpredictable, and necessary in today’s “hands off” economy. Customers are looking for a convenient, one-stop-shop option headed by industry specialists who have seen it all, and yet, prioritize the customer experience enough to recommend customized solutions. Forget earlier images of the lanky chimney sweep with limited expertise and an ash-covered uniform to prove it. Today’s customers want safe, efficient, knowledgeable sweeps with cutting-edge technology and tools to suit modern needs. SirVent Franchising, LLC is equipping a new class of service professionals to do that - just in time to meet the growing market demand.

The ability to diagnose and respond to customers’

fireplace, chimney, and dryer vent needs is exciting, unpredict-able, and necessary in today’s

“hands off” economy.

3302 Reed Rd.Clarklake, MI 49234Tel: (844) 747-8368http://sirventfranchising.com

Join the MovementSirVent Franchising, LLC is primed to provide superior services in the chimney and venting space - one home at a time - through a franchise expansion program, targeting key markets east of the Mississippi River. Franchise opportunities are currently available for qualified business owners nationwide. To learn more about this concept, please visit sirventfranchising.com or call the franchise support team at 1.844.SIR-VENT (1.844.747.8368).