A UK specialist all trades contractors firm is predicting a sales surge of £1m after spotting a niche in the market for a fixed price emergency repair contract for businesses.
Edinburgh based First Call Business Assist believes its fixed price rapid repair response will ensure small and medium sized businesses can be up and running in the event of a disaster – and avoid the risk of being closed down.
With Edinburgh in particular enjoying a healthy level of activity in the commercial property sector in recent months, and the strongest take up of space since the 2009 slump, the firm is expecting high demand for the product.
It has set a target of signing up at least 4000 contracts in the next 12 months – a realistic objective when measured against the fact that Scotland alone is estimated to have around 400,000 SMEs, according to recent Scottish Government figures.
First Call Business Assist has been launched by the experts behind First Call Home Assist, which provides a similar fixed price service for homeowners and landlords; which in 12 months has seen thousands of sign ups, and the development of aUKwide trade network in response to the strong demand.
For a fixed fee of just £23.99 per month, companies will be able to receive 24/7 cover for six of the most common emergencies that could force them to close: electrical breakdowns, boiler & central heating breakdowns, plumbing emergencies, blocked drains, locks and glazing.
Paul Greaves, managing director of First Call, said: “Our maintenance service for residential properties in Scotland has been very well received but, in recent months, we’ve been taking more and more calls from businesses in need of help.
“We soon realised that there is no-one in the UK that offers all-in-one emergency service for commercial buildings and shops. We think there is potentially huge demand for an affordable monthly contract that allows businesses to deal with the problems that insurance companies don’t want to know about until it’s too late.
“A cracked pipe or a broken drain can put a business completely out of action, and you then have all the hassle and expense of organising for a plumber to come out and fix the problem. If there’s a long wait to get the fault repaired, it can also cause further damage to the property, which will have to be covered by your insurers. These are the sorts of unforeseen disasters that can put a company out of business.
“However, with our service, there is no waiting and the problems are dealt with swiftly. We guarantee to have approved engineers and qualified tradesmen on the premises within two hours of the call being received, and this emergency response is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“Whether the electrics go out, the boiler breaks or you have a gas leak, First Call Business Assist will have you covered.
“We have developed this product to be affordable for any business, fitting in with current government policies which are focusing on helping small businesses to launch and grow.
“We envisage that First Call Business Assist will become a vital emergency service – and an integral part – of the UK business community for years to come.”
First Call Business Assist customers are guaranteed not to be charged any excess fees or face additional bills – as call out, labour and parts will be covered in the monthly contract fee.
First Call is a fully FSA regulated company offering a fresh new approach to the home and business assistance sector by offering cheaper and better policies – supported by directly employed engineers, a UK network of contractors and 24/7 claim call centre.
First Call has also recently cemented its strong commitment to local communities acrossScotlandthrough an innovative fundraising arrangement which benefits Cash for Kids, The Yard Foundation, Hibernian Community Foundation and Big Hearts charities.
Further information on their products and services can be found on the website www.firstcallhomeassist.co.uk or by calling 0844 241 2984.