Hello everyone. I have been following many of the posy and finally decided to join in. I am in the stages of planning (busines plan, proforma, forcasting etc) my new business. One question I have gotten mixed feed back on is "how much chemicals" do you all use on a typical job; Or hoy many sqare feet you get out of a gallong of extraction, presprey, tile cleaner/sealer etc?

I would be most apreciative of any feedback you may have.

I look forward to talking to you folks. Thanks.

There are many other more expensive concerns you should have other than chemical cost.

Generally your chemical cost will be 3% of the job unless you are doing and using specialty chems (gum remover etc.). So if a quality product cost you 3% why would you jeopardize the job with cheap products to save 1%?

Look at tuning your van engine and save more.

CTGCR;

I agree with Ted completely on this one.

"Cleaning Agents" are relatively a very small cost off your bottom line. There are other higher over-head costs that you should be concerned with. Ofcourse, we all have what we refer to as: "Fixed Costs" (ex: rent, truck payments, insurance, etc..), and then we have something that we call "Operating Expenses" (ex: wages, cost of equipment & "operating" costs of same, etc....).

Obviously, there are certain costs that we have to have in order to run a business and be protected. However, from my own experience and that of countless others, it is really important to control the "Operating Expense" because this expense has proven to make or break many small business operators.

Good Fortune to all;

Ed Valentine

http://www.cross-american.com - www.cross-american.com   

CTGCR,

I myself recently just started my business. While the most experience cleaners here have been servicing for sometime they already have most of the chemical to do a job.  That said... yes is can be costly at start only because you'll need everything from detergents, rinses, spotters for common fibers and different soil levels. From there-they buy as they need.

At the start you'll find yourself sampling alot of chemicals and later figure what works for your business. Take advantage when your supplier offers you a sample product. I was able to clean over 4,000sq.ft. with samples alone.