Cleaning Cost
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Carpet Cleaners Hangout
Forum Description: General discussion on anything related to carpet cleaning
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2923
Printed Date: 06/May/2024 at 12:46pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Cleaning Cost
Posted By: Steve Roscoe
Subject: Cleaning Cost
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 12:34am
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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. ------------- It's not clean until it's dry |
Replies:
Posted By: LilNiteRidrhood
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 10:42am
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100 sq ft??
Jeez the cost of set up and take down makes the equation irrelevant.
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Posted By: HeartlandSteam
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 1:02pm
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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. ------------- http://www.heartlandsteamcleaning.com |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 2:01pm
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I am glad you have no other business expenses like insurance advertisng wages or say repairs or payments nothing?? You are a lucky one?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: Steve Roscoe
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 2:46pm
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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 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. ------------- It's not clean until it's dry |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 5:13pm
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LOL Roscoe.... it's kind of a hard question to answer...thats why... a lot of factors factor into the equation...
1. type of chemical...I'm I using home depots Zep or cheap soap??? or am I using the good stuff??
2. how dirty is the carpet????
3. what type of carpet???
4. what type of staining???
5. am I measuring the solutions or am I just doing the free pour???
6. who's water am I using?
7. do I have an unboard softner
8. do I texitle rinse always???
if I would say ball park... maybe 5 cents for 100 sq ft just in chem...but the above factors play a part..
it's a broad question to answer...
I look at the bigger picture.....getting the Jobs... I do from 80 to 120 jobs per month...which works out to around 200 to 300 dollars in just chemical at least... more if the sales of scotchgard and deo are poppin ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 7:21pm
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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. |
Posted By: HeartlandSteam
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 7:55pm
Doug I said Cost of Goods NOT fixed costs. Im sure no one really wants me to itemize out all my bills, but if you want me to I can. I think some people are having problems just like me on this forum, I sometimes ask questions, or even respond to others questions and get nothing but grief for trying to help people. This behavior im sure prevents people from wanting to be members and participate in this forum. ------------- http://www.heartlandsteamcleaning.com |
doug wrote:Posted By: HeartlandSteam
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 8:05pm
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. ------------- http://www.heartlandsteamcleaning.com |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 9:16pm
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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. ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: HeartlandSteam
Date Posted: 23/September/2006 at 9:37pm
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. ------------- http://www.heartlandsteamcleaning.com |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 9:43am
------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: dennis_is_ok
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 1:57pm
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if you're not a regular you will get flamed here.
then once you're here for a while, you'll get flamed or ignored again and again. |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 2:14pm
| I said if I was going all out on a tough carpet with spotters, boosters, and a good deodorizing treatment that it might get as high as 5.00. But you're right--even that sounds high. If I'm using an expensive booster like Knock-It-Out, which is 90.00 for a gallon, then it could get that high. But like I said, that's an outside figure. |
Posted By: thermedix
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 3:52pm
 Some guys make themselves feel good by making someone else feel bad, Your question is valid and you have some good responces, there is a lot of good experience on this board, but there is some major ego as well.
It`s a great business, and this is a valuable resource as a guideline.
Good Luck! ------------- It`s not how far you fall...it`s how high you bounce back up... |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 4:24pm
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Posted By: HeartlandSteam
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 7:35pm
 ------------- http://www.heartlandsteamcleaning.com |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 8:08pm
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There is also alot of knowledge here, Lilniteridrhood ( General Lee) is the foremost expert here, others with alot of experience would be Mr. Steamer,............... Doug , .....Cleanex........... Ted ( Owner of KleenKuip )............CMaster.....and many others
They sometimes forget what a simple question looks like, because they are now mastering high tech problems forced upon them from the carpet industry.......I suppose some questions here look like " How much is 1 x 1, then getting asked why the answer is 1..........
This is a Great forum with alot of talent, but some here don't like to share their toys and don't play well with others
 .......That's why the KleenKuip Forum is a GREAT family to belong to..........TED'S OUR DADDY  Nightrider
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Posted By: dennis_is_ok
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 8:41pm
There's a few Canadians here who think they are the best f-n cleaner on the continent!
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 11:04pm
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The best advise I can give anyone is just go out and clean... the more you clean the better you'll get... There won't be a problem you won't recognize....
There won't be a problem you can't fix...
You'll get to know carpet types...fabric types.... even customer types...
Practise at home on your own stuff...test cleaning methods on your own stuff...a few scrap pieces of carpet don't hurt...
Get to know your equipment... test your equipment...fix your equipment
come here read...learn post...so what you get flamed...I get flamed all the time...big deal...getting flamed is part of the learning....
I rather get flamed here and learn...than go to someone house and destroy their carpet....
you have to excuse some of us...we are carpet cleaners first and formost... It's not easy to sit and type everything there is to know when a question is asked. A lot of this stuff has been asked and answered many many times since this forum started...
But if I can help...I'll try my best
I CLEAN CARPET 6 DAYS A WEEK...I AM MR. STEAMER or to some of you Older Members THE SEARS BITCH...lol ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 24/September/2006 at 11:29pm
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Summed up very well
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Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 25/September/2006 at 2:00am
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Now you know why he is .MR. STEAMER.....when he has something to say......he lets off a bunch of steam...BUT................HE'S RIGHT.......All of what he said is TRUE..Steamer is a No Nonsence type of guy as are many others on this site but they don't bite, you just have to expect straight hard core answers.....................
Nightrider
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Posted By: jtuseo
Date Posted: 25/September/2006 at 10:02am
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I get between .30-.50 a square foot ------------- WWW.PREFERREDCARPETCLEANING.COM |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 25/September/2006 at 12:23pm
What's your point?
Do you want a medal or a chest to pin it on?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/September/2006 at 2:32pm
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jtuseo... ya got a flyer or a price list????
I always wondered how guys who charge by the sq ft with changing prices advertise???? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 25/September/2006 at 8:03pm
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I used to advertise my prices just to pi$$ others off?? People would have the total of the bill ready when I got there. ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: jtuseo
Date Posted: 26/September/2006 at 9:05pm
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I dont have a price list what I do is this I will run specials. Like two rooms $120 includes prespray & deodorizer. A basement is considered 2 rooms & a living room dining room combo is two rooms. Most rooms are under 175 square feet so you do the math. Then I get $20 per room for scotchgard ------------- WWW.PREFERREDCARPETCLEANING.COM |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 12:30am
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wow 120 for 2 rooms??? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 11:19am
| Keep in mind, he's in New York. Everything's more expensive there. |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 3:13pm
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naw not really... they have the 5.95 a room guys...and tons of them..
I think there are more carpet cleaners than people in New York ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 3:38pm
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All this talk about prices?? I only wish I was as well off as all you rich cleaners who charge all the big bucks?? maybe someday? But until then I guess I will survive? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 7:04pm
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Look at it this way....the customers only get hit up once a year...if you don't bend them over...they'll bend you over...
just do it with a smile
 ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 27/September/2006 at 11:44pm
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And do it at least 20 times a week
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Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 28/September/2006 at 2:47pm
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I don't look at it that way?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 28/September/2006 at 9:15pm
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doug whats your call average??? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 28/September/2006 at 9:57pm
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No comment? I don't like averages. Besides I don't have all the masses of people you guys have to choose from? I cannot comment as I am not in the same league as you guys are making the mega bucks and all? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 28/September/2006 at 10:12pm
doug you clean the mother the grand parents and the children... you'll probally clean the great grands..
Gavins is a way of life in goderich ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 28/September/2006 at 10:41pm
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If you move to Goderrich it is required by law that you have your carpets cleaned by Gavins ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 6:12am
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I could only wish? There has been 2 or 4 new startup in the last couple of months even a SEARS reject is here with bells & whistles? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 8:43am
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Goderich must be where all the new carpet cleaners start out |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 5:26pm
Doug: if it is the same guy that used to live just north of Kincardine your sales should go up. ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 7:13pm
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This Doug never lived north of Kincardine? Worked north at the Bruce for some years but that's it? Always lived South in Goderich? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 7:18pm
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Doug: I should of mentioned I was talking about your Sears guy. ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 8:40pm
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Oh you mean a STEAMER Clone?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 9:13pm
There Everyware!  ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 9:20pm
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I think they are body snachers?? They just seem to inflict their disease on completely innocent, hard working honest people? Turn them into complete idiots? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 9:39pm
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It's a disease. ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 10:22pm
Is there a cure?
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Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 10:44pm
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I think so. I heard the last guy that thought he was cured tried to put an antique Clean Cold unit in a 05 Savana van? So I guess the cure was definately a failure?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 10:46pm
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Ahhhh nothing wrong with a cleanco... unit is a unit...work excellent just as good as a prochem ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: Ninja-wand
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 11:02pm
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"unit is a unit"-Steamer
I disagree!! Not all units are created equal.  ------------- I'll make you TAP OUT!!! |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 29/September/2006 at 11:34pm
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That's right. Cleanco's are unique
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Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 30/September/2006 at 8:50am
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unique or in Steamer's case antique?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 30/September/2006 at 11:30am
Antiques are worth a lot of money
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 30/September/2006 at 12:10pm
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IT'S A 97 CLEANCO....I'm not worried about the unit....I'm worked about the old truck the unit is in....
if I could I would buy 2 brand new cleanmores.....in 2 brand new trucks...but I's hard to find the 160k to do it ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |