Cleaning Cost

Hey Guys/Gals
Question 1:
I was wondering if anyone has a cost per square foot, materials costs only. Or say 100 sq ft.

I know we are all subject to many factors, but for a general over all cost.

Question 2:
What is your average sq ft per hour. that would inclued basic sofa+chair+table move.
100 sq ft = 1.5 hrs (exsample)
- again all factors aside general carpet dirt/wear.

Im not really sure what your trying to ask in question 1.  Do you mean what to charge the customer per sq ft?  Or what it will cost you to clean per sq ft?

I've come to the conclusion that my cost of goods are about 14% of my total sales.  10% for gas, and 4% for chemicals.  Now these percentages are going to be different every day, obvioiusly if you have 1 job thats $1,000 your not going to spend $140 in cost of goods (chemicals, gas.) But you'd probably spend alot more than 10% in gas if you had 10 $100 jobs.  As far as charging the customer, it depends on how big a pain in the ass you think it will be.  Anywhere from .25 cents a sq ft, to .50 cents a sq ft.  Thats what I charge at least, im sure there are others on this forum who charge differently.

Your second question.  I'd say 750 - 1,000 sq ft per hour.  Might be more, might be less, depending on how dirty the carpet is, or how much furniture your moving.

Travis

Thank you, and yes just the cost of chemicals was the basic question

Being a engineer by trade I need to know the cost factors if im going to enjoy this new career. 

 

Gezz

 I guess I didn’t write it in American

 

Hood - 100 sq ft = 1.5 hrs (example)  ß where did I say that was mine?

Materials costs only -  I figured that was a gimme

I offered 100 sq ft because it’s easy to sample  that size/area

 

Doug   who doesn’t have those costs I mean really – and material only 

 

I read a post that complained about all the non members not supporting just surfing in and out so I figured I would stop and sign up and I asked my question and man do I regret that.

 

You guys do a bang up job.  

Steamer is right, Roscoe. It's a really hard question to answer well.

My basic prespray for 100 sq ft costs me maybe twenty cents. The rinsing agent I use is probably about another twenty cents. If I'm going all out with boosters and spotters and a good deodorizing treatment, I'd guess maybe 5.00, and that's an outside figure.

How many square feet per hour, as others have said, not only depends on how dirty the carpet is, but the layout of the house, the type of equipment, and the specific process you use. I use an RX-20 with a portable unit and buff afterwards. I take longer than the average guy.

So, all due respect, I don't think your first question is nearly as important as just about any other financial question you should concern yourself with. And the answer to the second question is very subjective.

LilNiteRidrhood wrote: 100 sq ft?? Jeez the cost of set up and take down makes the equation irrelevant.

Yes the question was very broad, but instead of mocking the person asking, you could have ignored the post or asked the person for more information.  Obviously the guy who asked the question is new to carpet cleaning, so he probably does not know industry lingo. Nor does it sound like he knows much about carpet cleaning in general, that is why he is here.  Give him a break, and anyone for that matter who is asking questions on this forum.

doug wrote: The cost of goods is the least of your costs.  How you mix, how you apply hydro force or pumpup who mixes them what the dilution rate what the coverage rate is. You buy cheap you use more. You buy quality chems you use less. If you use soft water and have a good tm you use less compared to a portable. If you use op and use good encap juice maybe cost alittle more.  Trying to put a square footage price or production rate to this question is just not going to happen. Unless you just want to brag about how good you are and how much you make. I don't qualify for either as I am not the professional the rest of you seem to be.

Yes, cost of goods is the least expense you will have.  But that is what he was inquiring about, so that is the information I tried to give him.  Of course you cannot put an exact amount on production rate. But for me, I use good chems, and pretty much use the same thing in every household, or every restaurant, or every business or whatever it may be.  And after years of cleaning, that is about the average cost of my goods.  I dont see how its so difficult to calculate this.  Of course its going to be different for everyone because everyone has different methods or chemicals they use.  Thats just what it is for me.   And whos bragging Doug?  Im just trying to help the poor guy.

 

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