Business Owner and Client Join Forces as Franchise Owners with United Water Restoration Group

Robert Dayfield II and Daniel Mihoc are well versed in construction and the building industry, but have recently decided to expand their repertoire by becoming Franchise Owners with United Water Restoration Group, the restoration franchise that helps home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

The two met when Dayfield came to Mihoc’s restoration business as a customer, and the two worked on a building project together. Several years later, the two crossed paths again serendipitously in an airport, securing their role as business partners and lifelong friends. 

When Mihoc’s office building suffered a fire after this chance encounter with Dayfield, he was disappointed in the service that was provided by the companies who were responsible for cleaning up and getting his building back in working order. This experience made him and Dayfield decide to take matters into their own hands and start a business that could help customers in similar tough situations while giving them the respect they deserve. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Mihoc about his journey into franchising with United Water Restoration Group and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Mihoc: For the past 20 years, I have owned my own restoration business. Recently, we actually had a fire in the office building. It's about 90% repaired now, but I had a partnership with other companies through my line of work who handled a lot of the clean up after a fire. I was the victim this time, and they had to do all the stuff you're not allowed to do in restoration. I put myself in the customer's shoes, and I was completely disappointed in the quality of the service. 

That was one of the determining factors in my decision to set up a new business like UWRG that offered additional services to my previous business, because the customers deserve more respect than what they were currently getting. In the last couple of months, I went to all the classes and got my certifications. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Mihoc: It seems scary at first, and it requires a lot of planning. You have to consider the amount of your time that will be displaced. It's achievable, but it's not easy. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Mihoc: One of the main reasons we chose United Water Restoration Group versus so many other franchises is because we knew we could count on the support. I have 20 years of experience in business ownership and restoration, but there's so much that I don't know. The corporate office actually offers that. We can grab the phone anytime and call anybody over there, and they will actually guide us through what we need to do. 

We're not just a number and Franchise Owner. They know us by name and have us stored in their phone.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Mihoc: A secondary reason we chose the brand is because it gives us the opportunity for growth. Robert and I are excited to grow, and we like to see it as a sport in a way. The brand has these sports cards for the Franchise Owners. We like to look at those and think, “we have to beat those guys!” 

We have some catching up to do, but it's a fun challenge. We actually met a Franchise Owner; we talked, we had lunch and we met the operation manager. It’s a friendly competition. We want to be good neighbors.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Mihoc: We just found that there was a total lack of customer service in this industry and a lack of respect for the customer. It was unacceptable to us. Some of these people are experiencing the worst stress they have ever had because of fire or flood damage. They're looking to us to guide them and help them restore their lives.

Another thing is that Robert and I technically knew each other from my other company. He was  trying to go into real estate construction on his own. After a few months of experimenting, he came to me as a customer, and we decided to work together on his project — that was maybe six or seven years ago. 

Then, when the project was finished, we went our separate ways and didn’t really see each other for a while. One day, I had been traveling and was on my way back home at the Denver airport. As I walked through the airport, I ran into Robert. Turns out, we were going the same direction, flying on the same plane, just a few seats apart. What was the chance of that? 

We became good friends after that. We started building more houses together, and it developed into a great friendship. Our families get along and everything.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Mihoc: Financially, make sure you're ready. You need enough capital because it's a big challenge. There's also the time challenge because you need to go to a million certifications. I would recommend going through that first initial meeting with corporate to find out more. 

It's a great advantage having a partner because there's a lot of work to do at the beginning, and it really helps to share the responsibility. 

About United Water Restoration Group 

Since 2008, United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, without exception. Today, with a philosophy of hiring the best staff to provide professional restoration services, UWRG has grown to more than 80 locations and maintains a level of customer service rarely seen in the industry. Although UWRG assists those experiencing disasters, this growing, recession-proof industry is also supported by fundamental infrastructure issues like aging systems and reconstruction. The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $159,342 to $441,874. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/