New to business
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Introduce yourself
Forum Description: New around here? Come on in and say HI!
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6887
Printed Date: 10/May/2024 at 8:05am
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Topic: New to business
Posted By: c.sutton
Subject: New to business
Date Posted: 17/January/2011 at 5:37pm
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Hi my name is Chris and live in Wilmington NC and I'm looking to get into the carpet cleaning business within the next month. I am a "newbie" and don't know much about the business but I listen and I'm a quick learner.
The past 10 years of my life I worked installing bank equipment and doing upgrading on old equipment so I'm not scared of a hard days work. I even tried being a tech for the same company that I use to sub from but, with being laid off for 2nd time in 18 months....I'm done with that and I going to work for myself.
I'll take all advise on starting up...esp. equipment and chem's to use. I have 3 kids and stay at home mom for a wife so I can't jump into a tm right now.
I've been looking and a Mytee 1003DX or the Recoil 3 XPS seems to be where I'm at with an extractor....not set in stone with those just like those for some reason.
And for some reason I like the rotovac 360i...like I said I don't mind hard work but if there is something thats going to save some time and my butt, I like it.
Hey, if someone has a big company and would to sell some used equipment that I need to get started...contact me.
As far as chem's...everyone has the "best" so I was looking to guys that has experience in this field for some help.
I looked at the 3k start up equpment the rotovac is offering and I not sure about that, the extractor looks to be a bottom feeder cheap model...Am I wrong?
I have to start on the lowest buget I can get away with and not look like some billy bob jack leg. Basically if I can't do something right then I'm not doing it, period.
I'm looking to craw before I walk and I know with any new business it's going to take some hard work to get it where I want it....but I'll get it there.
I want to thank everyone for their help in advance.
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Replies:
Posted By: westcovina
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 6:28pm
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You might want to get a job as a cleaner with an established company to learn the ropes. I worked around 9 years before I went it on my own. Learn to clean properly from someone who knows firsts. And btw the rotovac is a great machine in certain situations.
------------- http://www.example.com - http://www.carpet-cleaning-pasadena-ca.com/ |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 10:24pm
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Have you ever done any cleaning? I find a lot of people go into carpet cleaning when they are out of work and in need. 3k isn't going to get you a lot in quality equipment and cleaning chemicals. How are you going to market your service??? where are the jobs going to come from??? Calls just don't come out of thin air. do you have a plan???? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 10:43pm
| personally not alot of experience..I help a buddy of mine a few times that been in the business for 20+ years...I don't live no where near him anymore so I won't be his comp...he was the one who suggested that I was a good fit for this type of work...I'll really good with people and I do whatever to make sure someone is happy..He has offered his years`of experience to help me with whatever I need, so I'm trying to gather as much information as I can before making this leap. I can't afford to put in 9 years of training...I'm already 46.lol |
Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 11:01pm
2)As far as marketing, I already have a line on doing 15 beach rental homes and have several friends that work in real estate in the property man. and finally my sister in laws is a general manager with a company that owns 3 apartment complex with over 900 units between the 3.
3) I'm still going to start out with a portable unit untill all off this pans outs, I get some ojt and I'll probably wind up with a tm....who knows this is still in the early stages for me.
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MR. STEAMER wrote:Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 11:12pm
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So it sounds like you are taking this serious.... O.K. your equipment choices sound good either choice will do the job. Sometimes it's not the song it's the singer. Having equipment is great but without jobs they are useless.... I would start marketing right away.... do you have a business line??? Have you chosen your Business name?? Have you looked at what you should charge as compared to undercutting prices? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 11:21pm
No business line, name yet..still working on those "keywords".just looking a cc in this area there isn't a wide margin as far as what they charge from one to the next...they seem to run "specials" as their niche...
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Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 19/January/2011 at 11:46pm
| BTW I'll figure some little niche that will help me out. eg when I use to do bank equipment upgrades for banks and we did alot of them in nc and sc, they would have us install new drive up equipment but the bollards would always look like crap next to all that new stuff so I started painting them for free..it wasn't in the contract nor a big expense and didn't take alot of time...but we would always get the "wow factor" from branch managers..the next thing you know we where being requested by banks because we always did a good job and there was always something extra done that wasn't in the contract....and always left the place cleaner than when we got there...so it may take me a bit to figure out what I need to do to get that "wow factor" but I'll find it |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 12:16am
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Ok... that's a start how many banks? banks are cheap bastards and most times they get the carpet cleaning done by the guy that cleans the bank nightly... ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: NJPSR
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 9:12am
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I agree, banks are cheap but it's a start if you can get them. Something is better than
nothing. The recoil xps is a great machine. Also talk with Larry cobb from Cobb carpet
he sells many machines including the Mytee your looking at. Look at the mytee breeze
also. By the way, rotovac does put out good equipment. I have severalpieces of there equipment. ------------- N.J.P. Property Maintenance, "We take care of all your cleaning needs" |
Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 1:48pm
I haven't thought of using my contact's for bank's, and after 10 years in the business I have a few, until I really learned how to use the equipment. This would also include me hiring someone to help with those as I really did to spend more time with my kids in the afternoon's. It's not out of the question as I'll do whatever it going to take to suceed.
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Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 1:58pm
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[QUOTE=NJPSR]I agree, banks are cheap but it's a start if you can get them. Something is better than
nothing. The recoil xps is a great machine. Also talk with Larry cobb from Cobb carpet
he sells many machines including the Mytee your looking at. Look at the mytee breeze
also. By the way, rotovac does put out good equipment. I have severalpieces of there equipment. [/QUOTE
What are you using from rotovac...I was eye balling the 360i. I did have a pressure washing business at one time and had a surface cleaner for driveways, and the 360i basically has the same idea. the dual head cleaners bother me in the fact of the space between the heads, not sure if it's a big draw back or I'm just weird.
I'll take a look a the breeze...the 1003DX is in the price range and type of functions that I (think) I need. I want something with some heat..got that from the pressure washing days...not sure about the external type's as it looks like I will be doing alot of beach type home and I'm trying to use as little of hose as I can. I did see Mytee did have an adjustable portable type of external heater, do you have any experience with it?
Thanks for you input.
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 2:35pm
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Don't worry about all the fancy dancy equipment... make sure you get the basics... you have to crawl before you can walk. Learn to clean with an everyday scrub wand first before you step up to the more advanced tools like a rotovac... Learn your different type of stains and the best method of getting them out. So when you get a job you can actually do a good job and not just a splash and dash
------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 20/January/2011 at 2:50pm
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I think the portable's I was looking at were about mid range as far as the best that each company had to offer. I was going to have both the wand and rotovac, I am really just now looking at the different wands on the market. again everyone has the best here too. any suggetions on wands to look at? With 3 kids I going to get some pratice on spots..koolaid/fruit drinks, and they will knock over my wifes coffee or my glass of tea. A couple of them are still young so wiping their feet before they come in makes something else for me to clean.
I have a few friends with the type of family as me and I'm going to do a couple of freebie's for them to get the experience and get their honest opinion on the service.
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Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 21/January/2011 at 10:11pm
TMF has some deals on 14" wands.
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Posted By: c.sutton
Date Posted: 23/January/2011 at 12:12pm
| I have a meeting with a guy that's been in the business for 20+ years on Tues. We are going to sit and talk about a few idea's together, maybe me even buying into his business. Worst case, he has alot on contacts on a possible tm and maybe sub me a few jobs to help get started. Anyone has any input on the buy in deal, or sub from another comapny...I guess the split would depend on some different factors. |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 23/January/2011 at 2:00pm
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Good luck on that meeting sutton.. On the subject of sub work its going to vary.
For instance a restoration guy calls me up to finish 1500sft of carpet because
his extractamate/portable broke down. I tell him this is what i charge and payment is due on receipt.
I dont have a clue what he is charging and it really dont matter. Just get what
you need to stay profitable and if your charge is too much I'm sure they will
negotiate with you..
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Posted By: NJPSR
Date Posted: 27/January/2011 at 9:13am
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Sutton, it seams like the meeting your going to have or had already the guy is willing
to help you out. Your very lucky to find someone like that if he or she is the real deal.
Hey it may be worth it to work with him a little until you get on your feet. Come up with a reasonable price for a buy in or just flat rate work etc. Good luck on what ever you do. ------------- N.J.P. Property Maintenance, "We take care of all your cleaning needs" |
Posted By: howellsgs
Date Posted: 17/February/2011 at 1:54am
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My two cents worth... I took IICRC classes and became certified prior to cleaning carpets. Met and become friends with the owner of a janitorial supply warehouse who had 20+ years experience. For the first couple of years I probably was calling him every day but he was willing to give advice cause I was a loyal customer and still am. Just because one is certified does not mean they know jack about carpet cleaning or anything about the two-dozen cleaning and spotting products I use today. Having a mentor was a God-send. As far as equipment goes, Mytee is an awesome portable and the Rotovac 360 would make a perfect combo to start with.... Don’t forget that the traditional wand has it’s place too. The Rotovac 360 and a portable with 200+ degree water with a little experience and you’ll be out performing 75% to 90% of the truck mount guys. It’s hard work but definitely pays off in the long run. Good luck to you!
------------- http://www.howellsCarpetCleaning.com - Howells' Carpet Cleaning (503) 939-0534 Feel free to call with any questions you may have. I would be honored to help. Geoffrey |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 17/February/2011 at 10:32am
The 75-90% are the bait and swishers!LOL! I use a wand like Ninjas use Surikens!
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Posted By: NJPSR
Date Posted: 08/March/2011 at 9:08am
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Wow John your nice for a change. Yep! Mytee makes a good product.
Good luck. ------------- N.J.P. Property Maintenance, "We take care of all your cleaning needs" |
Posted By: Moris Chem Dry
Date Posted: 25/April/2011 at 10:05pm
 Good One Mate, Well first of all you have research the market, 1 What type service you want to provide? ( Steam or Dry) 2. Which Area you want to serve? 3. How many local provider of the same service? 4. How Much they charge? Then decide if you want to operate individually, be a part of a http://www.moriscarpetcleaning.com.au/ - franchise Both have there advantages and disadvantages Do your home work carefully mate If you need any help contact us. ------------- Moris Chem Dry 1300 466 747 enquiry@moriscarpetcleaning.com.au http://www.moriscarpetcleaning.com.au |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 26/April/2011 at 7:27am
Well Thankyou NJPSR. Time to get a glide the wand will give you a 7734 of a workout!
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