[Matrix Windows]

What are the basics your need to start carpet cleaning ? and roughly how much to charge?

[davep]

 

[Matrix Windows]

Appreciated Thanks

[Simon Gerrard]

First step; book yourself on a training course and find out what is involved and take it from there.
You might also want to invest in this:
http://www.gerrardscarpetcleaners.co.uk/manual.html
Simon

[Mike Halliday]

For the amount of investment needed in both training & equipment for carpet cleaning I wouldn't bother, that's a genuine piece of advice, there are far easier areas of cleaning to move into that pay much more money.

Pressure washing is the perfect example...... more ££ per hour, less hassle, bigger job values and less training.

[Mike Gwilliam]

I wouldn't bother either.........there's just toooo many carpet cleaners 

[benny d]

There are a million different threads on this and other forums asking the same question.
Just read for a few hours, and this will answer most of your questions.

You will need lots of money for equipment. Spend a fair bit on training. Spend a lot of money on marketing. Spend quite a chunk on a nice looking van.
Cross fingers, and wait...

[derek west]

Get yourself booked onto the TACCA training day and get all your questions answered. well over 200 going, Seriously, it will be the best thing you ever did in terms of finding out just what carpet cleaning is all about, all the pit falls, how much to charge, different types of carpet cleaning, etc... all under one roof.  Then you can decide if its for you or not.
http://www.tacca.co.uk/article/tacca-2016-training-day-open-saturday-may-21st-2016/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW9d0jALXmM

[Ian Harper]

Matrix Windows

welcome

your in  a perfect position to make a killing. I take it your a window cleaner?

You are earning regular money from your round, this take the pressure of you. carpet cleaning is more about marketing carpet cleaning service than cleaning carpets. thats the business you are getting into. building a marketing machine that will bring in new customers and serve old ones. this can be a massive learning curve.

I been cleaning for a long time and its the jobs that people dont have done regular that make you more money the more often the lower the price. deep cleans earn more than regular cleans in all areas, carpet cleaning is the deep clean type.

Training prochem is by far the best as they teach you about preventive, corrective and  salvage cleans. they have a great product range and is great value for money. Just remember the cheaper one will have high dilutions and the more expensive will last longer.

Regarding machine about £1 - £2K secondhand take a look at the ninja spec its the transit of carpet cleaning. my advise is look at ebay for someone that spent thousands with no idea and failed. they will be selling everything you need. but the thing here is it has more value to them that its real value. they normal fail to sell easily, and this gives you a great opportunity to make offers.  the gear will be it next to new condition.  dont ever pay for products in these deal they should be a sweetener from them. like any business the real asset is customer databases.

AS far a charging its down to the same as your window cleaning the cost of providing the service which can be hard the first year. the cost of marketing that service and the amount of profit you want to make.  people that run a tight ship can make more or charge less. some have massive turn overs with large overheads but not much profit. or have low turn over with big profit margins.

Have a look on ebay for the joe polish marketing stuff as it will teach you about how to make money in carpet cleaning.  its based on direct response marketing. and is where the market is at the moment. with less people moving around marketing to people that need carpet cleaning has dropped but selling and maintaining a database  is where the market is today. thats why that marketing machine is key to success.

Hope that helps, Respect Ian Harper

PS if you need an example of just how much success you can have cleaning carpets then have a look at a great example in the link below. the program is build by a very successful carpet cleaning family. https://www.getbookedup.com/

[tim handley]

i started four years ago, best thing ive ever done, wish id done it sooner.  If i was starting now, and knowing what i now know, i would get Simon Gerrards manual, id also spend hours and hours reading up on forums, id try get to go out with other carpet cleaners in different areas if possible, i would expect to spend around the  £4k mark (not counting van) to really get up and running, and then, expect to spend a lot more fairly quickly..... oh, and get on some training courses before spending too much dosh.....

[Robin Ray]

If it is money you want to earn then invest time and effort into your existing window cleaning business, it is by far the simplest, way of earning an excellent living.

If it is a different challenge and job satisfaction you are looking for carpet cleaning is a good progression, however even with your existing customer base you will need to put a massive amount of money, thought and effort into marketing.

Believe me I have done it and it is not an easy transition. It requires a lot of focus and discipline. Simon's book will tell you all you need to know and being a member of the TACCA and attending the day will help also. Training is an absolute must, once you have done some simple training you will understand why it is so indispensable. Many manufactures have training courses included with their machines such as Ashbys and Prochem.

[Jamie Pearson]

We were window cleaners once upon a time.
Adding carpet cleaning was one of the best things we did. We haven't looked back since.
It went so well we sold the window cleaning round (by then all commercial) once it was fully up and running.
Initially it was so there would be work when the weather wasn't in our favour.
At that time we had a domestic customer base also that we marketed to.
To begin you will need a reasonable size machine. 100psi, twin vac, 30+ litres would be the minimum spec. This can be sourced second hand and will make a good back up machine when you are established and purchase a newer, possibly higher spec, machine.
Training is a must. It should be the first thing you consider before spending any money on equipment.
My advise would be go on a course to see if its for you and get the knowledge, put out some flyers, emails, texts to your existing customer base to establish demand. If after you are still feeling positive about the transition start with a good refurb or used machine.

[Fibre Fresh Devon]

Cleaning carpets is the easier part.
Finding carpets to clean may prove to be more difficult.

[Mike Roper]

Much like Jamie I did window cleaning moved into carpet cleaning in 1989. Extracts CX and scrubber machine. Just let it grow organically off customer base no rush as had income from windows. As carpet cleaning grew dropped windows leaving me with only commercial. Eventually dropped windows altogether.
Now only maybe doing 3 days a week carpet cleaning as another business I started is taking off. The other business is less demanding physically and after all those years carpet cleaning I don't want to be doing it full time.Still enjoy carpet cleaning and am happy to look after my good customers I have had for 20 odd years.
You still need all the expensive gear , van etc if you do 1 day a week or 5.
Mike