Harwinton resident’s home-repair franchise ‘a business with a purpose for me’
HARWINTON — For growing older owners, even tiny employment can grow to be difficult: modifying a light bulb, changing window screens or correcting a squeaky doorway. Spouse and children associates can assist, but not constantly they may perhaps dwell much away from their parents.
The subsequent move is to locate a handyman, a person to arrive by and just take treatment of people minor items. But that is less complicated reported than accomplished — the pandemic and companies’ amplified expenditures has still left a void, in accordance to Harwinton resident Craig Henry.
Henry in June opened a Litchfield County franchise of TruBlue Overall Home Care, which gives these styles of providers on need or a deal foundation in which a educated and licensed TruBlue staff members member arrives to enable out all around the house.
The organization has areas in much more than 25 states.
Henry worked for an elevator corporation for 23 many years,he explained, and fell 13 toes though on the work in 2018. He did his rehabilitation at Valerie Manor in Torrington. “I invested months there,” he said. “I broke my ankle, knee, bones in my back again. … I was not able to stroll or generate for months. I’ve experienced surgical procedures and reconstruction, and I come to feel excellent now. But when I was in rehab, I experienced a ton of time to contemplate what I preferred to do following.”
For the duration of his restoration, Henry and his spouse, Heather, understood their residence needed to be outfitted for his physical specifications.
“I had difficulties performing anything at all at home,” Henry said. “The handyman experienced to appear in, simply because my residence wasn’t suited for my requirements. I started off imagining about how there must be a large amount of persons who want to continue to be in their residences, but they just can’t, due to the fact they cannot keep up with the routine maintenance and the repairs.”
He also found that for the “small stuff,” like an electrical swap replacement or a small painting career, it was not easy to come across a person to do the operate. “I had a contractor accomplishing our aspiration kitchen here in Harwinton, but it took awhile,” he said. “It’s hard to get individuals to call you again contractors didn’t phone back, or they would not give a estimate, or they just would not present up.
“And that is for the massive employment,” Henry stated. “There’s a void for the modest work opportunities — the every day points that assistance preserve the home likely.”
Prospects could be a widow or widower, dwelling by itself in the loved ones property. It may well be a few dwelling in their longtime residence, exactly where the “little things” have overcome them, and the household is falling into disrepair.
With his business, “We do routine maintenance plans, where we come out monthly with a checklist, and we do things like switch mild bulbs and make repairs,” he explained.
“Our clients are really appreciative,” Henry explained. “We provide quality companies, and they are so delighted and inclined to shell out what we demand. The men we mail on these positions have experienced a track record check out, and if the shopper has concerns, we will quickly answer with a mobile phone call. We don’t go away or get paid out until eventually they are joyful.”
Considering that he began TruBlue of NW Connecticut, he’s experienced a lot of repeat clients. “There’s undoubtedly a require,” he explained. “I’ve been undertaking the profits facet of the small business, and for me, it’s a personal connection. I have mobility concerns, and they do, as well. I can help them age in position.
“You never want to inform them, ‘You need a wheelchair ramp,’ or get bars, matters like that,” he said. “But if you show buyers the solutions to make their household a lot more accessible, you can help them preserve their dignity, and they can remain in their property.
“It’s a organization with a reason for me,” Henry mentioned. “I’m giving back again, and supporting men and women.”
Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue, claimed the company was founded in 2011 he joined the corporation as president in 2020. “TruBlue came about following its founders realized that household maintenance was a obstacle for seniors,” he said.
“My qualifications is in franchising and senior care, and I’ve figured out about that marketplace and also the challenges people today confront with growing older mothers and fathers,” he reported. “Back then, I was wanting for a remedy like TruBlue, and when I uncovered about it, I required to be included. It’s this sort of a terrific concept and so well-necessary. It’s been developing rapidly at any time given that.”
The firm has proprietors in Washington state, Florida, California and Arizona, and is new to Connecticut with Henry’s franchise. “We’re striving to grow into any main market,” Fitzgerald stated.
The property fix business can include things like a lot of issues, and TruBlue doesn’t do much transforming, he reported.
“We can do toilet refreshers and walkout tubs for seniors, matters like that, but our main prospects require assist around their house, specially occupied families and seniors,” he explained. “If it’s one thing additional in depth or included, we can bid initiatives out for the customer. … Our homeowners are qualified to assist folks with growing older in place.”
Fitzgerald stated a properly preserved property is significant for the security of individuals living in the household, and also aids the household retai worth.
“By investing in program routine maintenance, the house owner retains more worth,” he stated. “So when they do sell it, that maintenance will pay back for itself.”
To discover additional about TruBlue Whole Property Treatment, visit https://trubluehousecare.com/nw-connecticut or simply call 475-316-1645.
