[Dan Mansell]

I'm Dan and to be honest I think I'm lost somewhere between considering a carpet cleaning business and on the verge of starting one. Made redundant recently I was weighing up my options. Mrs has a cleaning business and employs 5 girls, she gets asked regularly 'do you do ovens/carpets/patios' etc, so rather than trying to find another job I thought I'd make myself one. 
I read up a little on the net, and then acting rather uncharacteristically impulsive I bought myself a Lavor Apollo, 20 litres of detergent and a pump up spray bottle. I've been all over the house with it and both our cars, I'm quite impressed with the results. I have leaflets and business cards on order. I've looked a little into web-sites but am still rather clueless as to who to use or how to go about setting one up. I'm waiting on a call-back from the local paper re an advert.
So, can anyone offer me any tips on my machine/technique/detergent, great products a carpet cleaner should never be without, advertising? I'm not asking for all info to be put on a plate for me if there's anyone that fancies telling me to use the search button or google is my friend, I'm more than happy to do that and have been doing. Are there any gems of wisdom or nuggets of knowledge out there? 
Thanks in advance for any replies
Dan

[Steve Rothwell]

Welcome......

However you may just need this  \/

[AshWhite]

Bloody hell, Hector - where ya been mate?

Dan, I'll get in before anyone else and suggest a training course - either through NCCA or IICRC. Where in the country are you based?

[Dan Mansell]

I live in Staffordshire.

Hector - Thanks for the armour , I'm only looking for a little help though. Seems I've trawled through so much info recently, there's so much junk out there, if anyone could point me in the right direction or advise me in sorting the wheat from the chaff I'd greatly appreciate it. That's what forums are for isn't it?

Have had a guy call me today from a daily mail subsiduary about advertising and web presence. Anyone any experience with these or any comments?
 

[Steve Rothwell]

Hi Ash, been deep depressed for a while, but fighting back again...
Dan
What "detergent" have you got??
there are a lot better cleaning agents than detergent..... that make your life easier..
Your machine is single vac I believe, however I do know that you can extend the hoses to a about 30 foot without significant loss of suction or pressure in the spraying, so you can leave the machine near the door or even outside on some smaller houses, as the Apollo is a bugger to carry about upstairs.

Put the hat on though as I am sure there will be some flack flying about soon..

 

[Stevieoneill1967]

Hi Dan,

As Ash eluded to, a proper training course is your first port of call.  You will get short shrift on this forum if your intention is to operate by the seat of your pants!  It's not rocket science, but there are a lot of risks involved.  

Steven

[wynne jones]

They let you keep your kit then Hector.  

To be honest everything you are asking about has been done to death, just read old threads, the answers you get now will be just as 'varied' as the old ones.  As for your particular circumstances I think you are off to a good start if you can tap into the existing business, however it won't be enough on it's own.

Good luck.

[Kinver_Clean]

Always make a note on the job sheet where the job came from. You will then be able to chop the ads that don't work.
See a tax accountant/technician to find out what they require for your books- and keep them up to date at least weekly otherwise you will get in a muddle and that can cost big time.

[Dan Mansell]

Hector - I have Precision Cleaning carpet shampoo extra, from the lavor outlet site. Thanks for the heads up on being able to extend my hose. I'd never of considered it through fear of losing suction and despite hours of reading it'd never come up. That's the kind of gem I was after
Ash and Stevie - What a fool I was to not consider prefessional training! I did it to get into driving heavy machinery previously and I'm now kicking myself for not already having looked into it. Are there any courses or instructors in the west-mid's area anyone would recommend?
Kinver - My Mrs has kept her own books for a few years now and I'm really lucky to have her there to advise and keep an eye over my shoulder. 99% of her business is through word of mouth though (just a few business cards on the occassional notice board that have been almost fruitless), which I can't depend on as my business will not be weekly/monthly so keeping tabs on what's working for me will be essential.
Thanks for the replies, I really do value them

[AshWhite]

Dan, the NCCA are in Leicester, and I think that's where all their training is held.

Hector,
Hope your doing OK mate? Sorry to hear you've been suffering - hope your getting through it.