[clinton]

It will take a good while to build up your client base and some of the above posts are helpfull.

Seems a few are using just dry cleaning as a starter or v lm systems..

[Seymour Sunshine]

I would have thought that the equipment list would be:

1 - professional upright vacuum cleaner

2 - pump-up or electric sprayer

3 - carpet cleaning system of your choice; either HWE, LM or VLM.

[CARPET KNIGHTS]

Okay so you may have enough money for a half decent second hand set up but what about a vehicle? What about funding your marketing and also what about your living expenses?

Too many people look at carpet cleaning and think it is an easy option to make good money.

Well lets put it this way your marketing alone to get off the ground can cost thousands and don't expect to be immediately inundated with work.

You really need to have at least £10,000 put aside to realistically start up and at least 6 months living money.

Anything other and you just aren't serious.

Cheers Goron

[Colin Day]

Okay so you may have enough money for a half decent second hand set up but what about a vehicle? What about funding your marketing and also what about your living expenses?

Too many people look at carpet cleaning and think it is an easy option to make good money.

Well lets put it this way your marketing alone to get off the ground can cost thousands and don't expect to be immediately inundated with work.

You really need to have at least £10,000 put aside to realistically start up and at least 6 months living money.

Anything other and you just aren't serious.

Cheers Goron

I myself was guilty of thinking this... But once I'd pumped £15k into starting up, there was no going back... If I was given that chance again, I'd probably have saved my money and gone back to work on the helicopters....

I remember thinking "I'll have to be prepared to take dozens of phone calls a day"... It turned out that I was lucky if I got that many phone calls a month to start with, and half of them were family and friends ringing up to ask how it was going

[JandS]

Colin

Didn't say don't buy a Zeta but buy one when
you have the rest of tools you need.
I'd class a Zeta as a luxury for a start up.
A Drymaster however will speed up upholstery
cleaning and also assist drying times.
I made do with a carpet brush for a long time
and even now maybe use the agitation machine
40% of the time.
There just not manoeuvrable enough in small areas.

John

[Colin Day]

I've never tried a dry master but would like to. I can't possibly comment on what I don't have a clue about, but I have managed without one for a good few years. I'm kind of looking forward seeing the difference and I'd consider one of these a luxury too, if I'm being honest...

Zeta, luxury? Perhaps that's a fair comment... If it's heat you want at a cheaper price, an in-line heater does the trick, but there is a knack to using one effectively.

The only time I don't use my CRB is on loop pile carpet....

[JandS]

Colin

I spent 2 years using an upholstery tool then
saw one for sale for £150 on e bay.
It's probably the best value for money item I've
bought.
Using it I now actually enjoy doing u/h  as it makes
it so much easier.

John

[Colin Day]

I do enjoy cleaning upholstery, but if it was made easier I'd be up for having one, or even the Saphire...

I did ache last time I cleaned a sofa....