After years of working as a carpenter and tackling large-scale renovation projects here in the UK and over in Australia, William North was ready for a change.
Tired of working for other people but unsure about starting a business from scratch, he began looking into franchising as a way to build something of his own with the right support behind him. In August 2024, he launched Kitchen Makeovers Crawley – swapping full-scale builds for stylish, sustainable kitchen transformations. Just over a year in, William is already loving the freedom, balance and buzz that comes with running his own business.
“I’ve always loved the trade – back in Australia I was working on big projects like blocks of flats, and when I came home, I carried on with renovations. But I got tired of working for other people, and I knew I didn’t have the business experience to just start something from scratch. Franchising felt like the right balance – manageable, but still my own. What really drew me to Kitchen Makeovers was the low overheads and the whole idea of refreshing kitchens rather than taking on massive, expensive projects. It just made sense,” said William.
Founded in 2018, Kitchen Makeovers introduced the UK to the future of kitchen renovations. As one of the home improvement sector’s most innovative franchise brands, Kitchen Makeovers has established itself as an exciting, highly profitable opportunity through identifying and leveraging a gap in the market. This trailblazing approach, evolving with the demands of the sector, is helping franchisees provide customers with a long-awaited, modern, cost-effective and sustainable service up and down the country, breathing new life into the heart of their homes.
From day one, William was impressed by the strength of the Kitchen Makeovers system and the seamless onboarding process. The training covered every detail, from sales techniques to supplier relationships and materials, giving him the confidence to hit the ground running. That early support has only continued, with franchise development manager Jon visiting regularly to offer practical advice and guidance, alongside ongoing input from Matt and Will. It’s a level of hands-on support that has reassured William he’s never building the business alone.
“Will and Matt really sold me the dream – the system was so solid, and the onboarding was spot on. It gave me so much confidence starting out, because I could see straight away that everything was in place to help me succeed,” added William.
Kitchen Makeovers attracts both first-time franchisees and seasoned entrepreneurs looking to move with the times, thanks to an impressive infrastructure designed for scalability and a revitalised approach to customer experience in the home improvement sector. Franchisees are encouraged to fully exploit the success they can achieve within their territories by building a local network of expert tradespeople. Kitchen Makeovers’ approach of championing exceptional customer service is continuing to reap rewards in a sector that has traditionally delivered below-par customer experience. Through recurring income streams, low overheads, an impressive scope for growth and ongoing development, the opportunity for franchisees is huge.
Looking ahead, William sees plenty of potential for growth within his territory. With over 250,000 homes in the RH postcode alone, boosting local marketing is enough to generate a steady flow of new leads without the need to expand further just yet. Managing a team of subcontracted fitters, William takes a hands-on approach to quality control – spending time with each fitter to ensure they’re the right fit and committed to maintaining Kitchen Makeovers’ high standards.
“The best thing about being a franchisee is the balance it gives you. You’ve got the freedom of being your own boss, but with the safety net of support whenever you need it. It’s like running a business with training wheels – everything still relies on you, but you’re never doing it alone,” said William.
Kitchen Makeovers has established itself as a leader in a market previously lacking a cost-effective and hassle-free solution. With over 30 franchisees and sophisticated branding, systems and operations, the company has filled a critical gap for homeowners. This commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in nearly 1,000 glowing five-star reviews across reputable online platforms and an impressive average score of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustist. This focus on exceeding expectations is what truly sets Kitchen Makeovers apart from the competition.
“My lifestyle has improved massively since moving on from being a carpenter. Yes, I put in more hours now, but the difference is that every hour is on my own schedule. If it’s a sunny day, I can head out for a round of golf or make time for football or volleyball without feeling guilty – I just catch up later when it suits me. That flexibility makes all the hard work worth it. I’ve got the buzz of running my own business, but I still get to enjoy the freedom. It’s a much better balance than I ever had before,” explained William.
William has also taken inspiration from fellow franchisees Colin and Michelle Blackburn in Cambridge, who launched a kitchen giveaway to support their local community. Motivated by their example, he plans to run a similar initiative in Crawley this Christmas, offering a free kitchen makeover to someone in need. With a campaign set to launch in the run-up to the festive season, William is excited to use his business as a way to give back and make a real difference locally.
For anyone considering joining the Kitchen Makeovers network, William’s advice is simple – just do it. He believes the combination of freedom and support is a winning formula, giving you the independence to run your own business while knowing you’ve always got someone in your corner.
“It’s the best of both worlds. You’ve got the excitement and challenge of building something for yourself, but you’re never left to figure it all out alone,” said William.