Back to the subject. Two TM'ers in our area have packed up in the last 2 years along with even more porty users. I get some ref's from the two ex TMers. Having been working this area for nearly 34 years I think I do most of the residential CC'ing that there is to be had, however it has been quieter for me the last 18 months and is no coincidence that most of the others have packed up within this time.
What it will be like in 20 years time? Well obviously different I would think.
I remember the days when there was a residential professional vacuuming service, before most of the general public switched on to purchasing their own machines. Possibly DIY machines will become drastically better with most people purchasing them instead of calling the Pro CC, combined with far easier to clean carpets.
OR maybe when this downturn is finally over and there is a massive upturn, people will become even lazier and Pro residential carpet cleaning will be busier than ever - who knows.
One thing I know I wont be cleaning carpet then! (Possibly)
Dave.