Keith...  What ever you do ... do it right... it's the weekend warriors that kill this business....

Good Luck

Keith you are going to be set up to start your own business. If you have any kids and there old enough to work part time, this could be a business that could bring them plenty of cash to put them through school. That is if there willing to work for what they want and not expect everything given to them without the effort.

I just gave you my standard lecture I give my kids, Keith.

Carpetologist wrote:   With that explained, you are actually taking the bread out of the mouths of the professional cleaners who are also giving you good advise.  Goes to show you what a nice group of guys and gals we have on our forum.

I agree.  That's why I posted here after reading all of the informative posts.  My intention is not to take the money away, but to save our family in the long run.  We were offered a special for $39 to clean 5 rooms and a hallway about 6 months ago.  When the guy came out, he had a portable Ninja.  I wrote the model down and researched it.  I had no idea of how inexpensive the unit was.  The $39 visit turned into extra for pre-treating, extra for large rooms and extras for hallways- $175.  The tech cleaned the rooms pretty fast, but our heavy areas stayed dirty.  We ended up calling his supeervisor who instructed him to try his best which he did.  He spent a little more time and the carpets looked wonderful.

He did have to stop for the hot water.  I don't want to do that.  I just want to put in water, have it heated and go.  Our carpets were damp the next day too, so we are going to see how quick they can dry with proper chemicals and some regular box fans before we spend money on a proper, powerful fan. 

About a month ago, my wife took my car in to have it detailed for my birthday and she couldn't get home fast enough to tell me that she wanted the Ninja too.  The detail shop was using heated Ninjas as well.  She thought that this unit would be exactly what we needed too, so we waited until the tax refund to make a move.  We figured $175 plus $30 per vehicle detail times 12 times a year is over $2800.  We could just buy the unit for that.  After one year, it is saving us money for our family alone.  Now, here we are now asking as many questions as we can.  200psi vs 500psi.  Heated vs. Non-Heated.  Is a Rotovac worth the cost?  All of which have been answered.  It's looking like the 200psi heated unit with a detailer, carpet rake, and internal crevice tool and wait on the Rotovac or RX20??   All we need to do now is find a nice set of chemicals to accompany the portable.  There are a lot of threads talking about that here.

Again, I thank each and every person who responded to help us in this decision.  It's wonderful here.  Sorry to be so long-winded.

KeithGP

Keith

It's amazing you have had so many responses as your questions and explanations as to what your intension's really are is to clean friends and relations for free or low cost. 

With that explained, you are actually taking the bread out of the mouths of the professional cleaners who are also giving you good advise.  Goes to show you what a nice group of guys and gals we have on our forum.

have a look at Ed Valentines machines as well

I've heard some pretty rave reviews

I agree with Mr. Steamer. I have a 100 PSI Ninja right now and it has about 3 inches of dust on it as it never gets used. only in emergency situations!.

Spend the extra and buy the 500 psi machine from Ted. You wont regret it. Also get yourself a good wand to go with it! with a glide!!

Thanks all,

I figured that my boys 13 and 14 might be able to handle the unit in a year or 2.  Maybe they can do something with it with a pickup truck.

For now, I thought a 200psi heated Century 400 unit would be great- even if the heated portion are crapola.  It's gotta be better than no heat.  I think?

Thanks again,

KeithGP

I agree with Ed... this might develope into something more.. I would at least get a 250 psi machine...

a portable is a starting machine anyways.... higher psi is just kicking it up a notch