[Stoots]

Hi.

about 6 months ago i started car valeting partime on a weekend, it went ok i got some work but it didnt make sense to do it part time financially, the time and expenses invested were not making it worthwhile. Anyway about 3 months ago i split with my ex and that put a stop the business.

Now im feeling better, im planning on starting full time in the spring, this gives me time to save some money, plan etc and start at good time of year.

Anyway instead of just doing car valeting, i have decided to include pressure washing services, i have bought a decent 15lpm honda machine, this will allow me to do some driveways etc as well as having more power to do commercial vehicles, lorrys and thinking about caravans too.
I also bought a extracta carpet cleaner fully working but a bit battered and tired looking.

Anyway my dilema is this, im not sure whether to invest in carpet cleaning stuff and training which could cost a few grand or better save that money and stick to the pressure washing/valeting. Obv more services i can offer the more chance of income especially at the begining when not established, or is it better to specialize in one or two areas rather than try to do everything?

thoughts appreciated? adam

[G O Cleaning]

Anyway instead of just doing car valeting, i have decided to include pressure washing services, i have bought a decent 15lpm honda machine, this will allow me to do some driveways etc as well as having more power to do commercial vehicles, lorrys and thinking about caravans too.
I also bought a extracta carpet cleaner fully working but a bit battered and tired looking.

Anyway my dilema is this, im not sure whether to invest in carpet cleaning stuff and training which could cost a few grand or better save that money and stick to the pressure washing/valeting. Obv more services i can offer the more chance of income especially at the begining when not established, or is it better to specialize in one or two areas rather than try to do everything?

thoughts appreciated? adam

We offer exterior and interior cleaning services, the services we provide have grown over the yrs due to customer demand.
With respect to other carpet cleaning companies, if we were starting from scratch I would not include carpet cleaning as a service. I just dont believe there is a demand for carpet cleaning compared to other cleaning services... Look at how many guys start up with window cleaning, there is a reason for that, unless you opt for WFP startup costs minimal. Even with WFP costs ar far less than CC.
If I was in your position I would move more towards Washing + window cleaning with natural add ons as your turnover increases, at relatively small outlays such as upvc cleaning, conservatories cleaning , gutter vacuuming. 

[Stoots]

Thankyou for the reply, carpet cleaning does seem expensive when compared to the others. I dont fancy window cleaning for some reason, i dont think i would like the canvassing to people homes, just not my thing. Setup costs are my biggest hurdle, i really dont think i want to invest a few grand if its not a massive market.

[TheWindowManChris]

Thankyou for the reply, carpet cleaning does seem expensive when compared to the others. I dont fancy window cleaning for some reason, i dont think i would like the canvassing to people homes, just not my thing. Setup costs are my biggest hurdle, i really dont think i want to invest a few grand if its not a massive market.

You simply need to canvas for both business.   When I started Window Cleaning I just put Leaflets in shops, Windows and doors.

Sorry but a hard fact is that if you can't sell your company then you will struggle to grow.