Heat,how much do you need?

    You're never going to find the perfect machine for the kind of money you want to spend. 190 degrees is OK, the chemicals will do their job if you use the right products. Have you looked at all his receipts to see what he's done to the unit...call some of the his service company and check up on the machine.

Call your local supplier and ask when the next IICRC carpet cleaning course is on and take it...you'll be able to ask a lot of questions and meet some other players in your area. Through netwroking you can learn a lot...offer to ride for free for a couple of days with someone. You may learn of a good buy through other guys...a guy may want to sell his rig and and get something different. I've learned a lot just from guys in my area...most guys that have a good business don't mind sharing some info...they're not scared of a little competition...it's the guys who don't know what they're doing that fear competition.

Hey John,
Don't think I'm not listening.I'd love to get a new machine and a good used truck but I just can't afford it.
A machine I'd like to have is the Hydramaster Boxer 427.It is 17500.- add to that everything else I'd need(hoses wands reels etc.) I'll be over 20000.- easy and then I would still have to spend at least 5000.-(probably more) on a van.Installation of the machine and other stuff and I'm looking at probably 30000.- by the time I'm done.
I really wish I could.
As it is I know my budget of 15000.- may be less than ideal but I'm hoping I'll be able to get something that is not going to be a huge nightmare for me.
In the end , whatever I get will still be a leap of faith.I really value the info I'm getting here on this board and I know it is helping me in this very confusing process.    

I'll definately take all the courses that I can get into.Also there are some courses available on the internet that specificly deal with how to run a carpetcleaning business.Some are books and DVDs.I have so much stuff to look at right now.All the replies to my posts and stacks of brochures.
I've learned a lot in the last couple of weeks.I'm really looking forward to having my own business.

Hey gimeagig, i would like to check out some of the online courses you are talking about.  Can you give me any info?  Thanks!

Gimmeagig,  if you haven't all ready ordered those trainings I'll tell you how to get a lot of training for free.  As far as a set up I would take the advice people have been giving you and get a machine with lower hours on it.  Even if it isn't as powerful, and upgrade or use it as a back up down the line.  There are a lot of cleaners going out of business.  Over 80% of carpet cleaners got out of business the first year.  This is due to big truck mount payments and a lot of over head, with little left over for advertising.  I took advantage of this and picked up a complete TM set up with all the accessories for 15k unit had 106 hours on it(was a repo).  If you do end up with a TM with a lot of hours you may have some high repair bills and down time. Good luck what ever you do!


Edited by bryan - 31/March/2007 at 8:39pm

Well don't know what state you are in but go down to you local distributes and ask them when they have vendor trainings going on, you can sit in on most.  Some will have a class and charge $25 then after allow you to take $25 off product.  They will show you how to remove all sorts of stains.  You can also ask as many questions as you want.  I know when CRI does this the training is free and you get free product.  You can also sign up for news letters like Joe Polish and you will get bits and pieces of information that you can apply.  Interlinksupply.com is a good e-letter to get gives you many helpful tips, and lots of education.  The people that are giving you these tips are also the people teaching the courses.  Hope this helps.