[Steve Gerrish]

Morning guys and girls,

This is my first post after recently joining here. Ive been scrolling through pages for hours reading and learning tips/advice from various threads... anyway, I am looking to start up my own business to do in my days off, im not looking at doing this for a few months yet as l know im not ready and need to learn a lot more. I have booked in to do a course with NCCA, and will be doing a few more with Prochem as thats whats been advised from my reading on here. I have also been looking at various machines, and a popular one that seems to come up/mentioned a lot is Prochems Steempro, anyone know much about these? Also Ashbys Enforcer, but thats a lot more money to fork out, especially as im just starting. Marketing, other than van signage, leaflets, local mags an newspapers and general word of mouth are there any other tips you could suggest?

When it comes to starting my own business, im a complete virgin, so take it easy on me! ha! What ive researched so far is, and from the very basics -  Training and courses, a van, a machine an the extras, liability insurance, marketing, a company name, l already have one in mind but who do l need to register it with? Uniforms with logos etc... anything else that needs to be added please yell at me!

Regarding the working for free, l am from the Watford/Rickmansworth area, so if anyone knows anyone that would be willing to help an train me it would be overly appreciated. Obviously carpet cleaning is hands on, an is why im willing to work for free, l guess you could say my payment would be paid through the learning and training...

Sorry its a long message, but im interested in doing this and doing it right, so if there is any help, tips or advice please respond with anything that you think will be of some help

Thanks

Steve

[gwrightson]

Good Luck Steve,
From what you have posted it appears you have the right approach and attitude, good for newbies.

sorry cant help you decide machine , you will get variable answers , as for mentoring ,great idea if you can find some body near enough  not to worry about losing business

Many moons ago, I was in same position, read on internet for quite awhile, and fortunately I had a great c/c only 6miles away who was willing to show me the ropes, tag along and answer any questions I might have, the same guy went out of his way to help with any problems I had initialy , and I might add still willing to help out if I any any other local cc got stuck.
Why you might ask ? I will always remember what he told me , " we could do with another decent carpet cleaner in the area"   he might not remember , but I do , He wasn't afraid of sharing his knowledge, he wasn't afraid he may lose the odd job, he knew their is plenty of work out there.
Lets hope you find somebody local ,willing to do the same, Thanks again all these years down the line M.Halliday,

You will find it hard at first, but should intime with the right attitude, hard work reap the benefits, good luck!!!

Geoff

[Dave_Lee]

You could check out Alltec for machines too.
Business name - you don't need to register with anyone, in fact you can't as the registry of business names closed many years ago. Now all you have to do is make sure your business name, address, and telephone number is on all business literature, inc leaflets. First however make sure you are not treading on any ones toes, by checking that there is no one else trading in this business, under the same name in the same area as you intend to work.
Dave.

[Craigp]

Would you deliver leaflets or is it just carpet cleaning you'll do?

[gwrightson]

Would you deliver leaflets or is it just carpet cleaning you'll do?

     

nice one

Im pretty sure he wants experience at carpet cleaning, I do hope you wasn't been serious about delivering leaflets   unless you meant deliver leaflets along side you when you arn,t carpet cleaning . Which ,I am sure is what you meant.

Geoff

[Steve Gerrish]

Hi Geoff, thanks for your response.
Im just putting some feelers out there to get ideas and advice from anyone. Mr Halliday is the exact kind of man im looking for, he sounds like a nice genuine guy. Im willing to put the effort in, aslong as its the right effort, hence my research before etc...

Cheers Lee, ill have a look at the Alltecs. With the business naming, l thought you had to register with Company House so no one else could work under the same trading by law? I mustve been told wrong in that case. Though looking at the different sites and entering my fancied name (which fortunately hasnt been taken), it then gives various options of different packages available... is this just a government rip off scheme?

An Craig, ha im afraid not, its the carpet cleaning learning im after, not how to deliver leaflets

[Craigp]

Would you deliver leaflets or is it just carpet cleaning you'll do?

     

nice one

Im pretty sure he wants experience at carpet cleaning, I do hope you wasn't been serious about delivering leaflets   unless you meant deliver leaflets along side you when you arn,t carpet cleaning . Which ,I am sure is what you meant.

Geoff

Yes it was a joke, LMAO 

[derek sharp]

steve if you e mail me I can put you in touch with a lot of people who offer free business start up advice and courses for the newbies .
I did it and its well worth looking in to .
e mail address on my website     www.fibrescarpetcare.co.uk

[Steve Gerrish]

Thanks Derek , much appreciated! Ive just emailed you...

Nice website by the way

[Simon Gerrard]

Hi Steve,
There is some excellent advice from experienced pros above.
You have have already made one very good decision - to research your future business before rushing out and buying a machine - so well done for that. And well done for realising the importance of training too, lots of newbies think it is just about buying a machine and hey presto, you're a carpet cleaner.
So while you are at the planning stage, build your plans around core objective that should sit at the very forefront of what you do as a professional carpet cleaner.
'To put your customers in a position where they can't get what you do anywhere else'
If you can achieve that, and you can with the right attitude, your customers will come to think of you as THEIR carpet cleaner, and that is the Holy Grail of a successful carpet cleaning business because its database is populated by people who wouldn't even think of calling someone else next time around.
Your goal, right from the very outset, is to keep and multiply your customers through great service, superb quality and personal integrity.
The above is just a collection of words which you now have to translate into a business model that has those goals within its DNA, so that you don't stand in the crowd, but out from the crowd and that isn't that difficult to do.

A couple more things:
Carpet cleaning is not about price - it is a bout quality. A low price might get you through the door, but it is the quality of what you do when you're in their that determines whether or bot you will see that customer again.
Don't skimp on equipment, or buy the cheapest chemicals, if you haven't got the money for what you need then wait until you have.
Get a website and an Adwords campaign to get it onto page one.
Don't mention prices on leaflets as it removes the need to call you and allows a potential customer to compare your prices with others and carpet cleaning is not about price, so why suggest it is?
Lots of people believe that all carpet cleaners are the same and regardless of how much, or little they pay, the result is the same, a clean carpet, which is not true. So set yourself up as a Professional or Specialist Carpet Cleaner and use advertising space to suggest the quality of what you do rather than the price you do it for.

Just a few thoughts, hope it helps.

Simon

 

[Karra Barford]

Hello Steve,

We are holding some 1 day hands on training days just for 'start-ups' like yourself.  The day is free and it is instructed by Paul Pearce.

The next date we have spaces is on Monday, 27th October.  If you are interested in coming along or would like more info you can email me on karra@alltec.co.uk or call 01763 208222.

Karra - Alltec

p.s. I hope this is ok to post on here?

[Mark Weedon]

Hi Steve


I'm local to you. Chalfont based. If you wanna spend a day out on the van, I'd be happy to show you the ropes, and the practical side.

Let me know if your interested


Mark

[Steve Gerrish]

Thanks Simon, thats a good lot of advice youve given there.

Hi Karra, no worries on the posting, ive emailed you...

An Mark, thanks thatd be great! Have you got an email l can get you on?

[Mark Weedon]

Hi Steve


Mark@amarkcleaning.com.

Drop me a email then we can chat see what's what!!!

Mark

[Melissa Edwards]

Hi Steve, best of luck with the start-up if you do go ahead.
Some really great advice above.
I started up about 3 years ago and have loved it.
I will add 3 things that you should prioritize learning before launching your business: 1. Marketing 2. Marketing 3. Marketing. Lol. 
Seriously though, it's the most crucial part to thriving, in my opinion, and it pays to hit the ground running. Your website, Google ranking, email marketing, social marketing and leafleting will be vital.
Same as with any other business...

[Griffus]

Can't fault Alltec for people in your position.

I was there a few years back.  Did the NCCA course firstly.  Then decided (after hours of research) on an Alltec Advance 600.   As part of the deal Alltec included free (or discounted, it's been a while) training via IICRC.

Pretty much the same course as NCCA, even had Paul Pearce at the helm.

Whilst CC isn't our bread and butter the Advance has been, and continues to be, a great machine.

I tend not to reply to these posts as they are here all the time and get a bit tedious.   I thought it only fair to give a shout out to Alltec and the efforts they go to for newbies.   I am more than happy to recommend them to you for this exact reason.

p.s. allow for a fair few £ on top for accessories.  I'd also recommend Prochem products, Pure Clean is a great all rounder and especially if you're just starting up.   Alltec do chem's and I have a fair few if you want to save a few £ 

[Steve Gerrish]

Thanks Griff, ive heard a few people say the course is pretty decent, an have booked on to do the Alltec course through Karra. Apologises if you feel my 'newbie' post is a bit tedious, l have read a lot of other new posts on here but preferred to ask myself so l could get going... as you said you were where l am a few years back.  Im glad l did, ive gained good advice, booked the Alltec course and spent a day with Mark... cheers for today by the way Mark, much appreciated!

Marketing Melissa, from what ive read been told, it can make or break you. Im planning on starting with leafleting door to door and advertising in local mags/newspapers etc, along with starting a Facebook page an joining various groups on there, with eventually having a website. Have you found any dos or donts in your first three years you'd like to share?   

[Mark Weedon]

Hi Steve

Thanks for today

I've emailed you an overview.

You will be absolutely fine once you done a course or 2.

Carpet cleaning is 1/3 of it.

Getting the clients and keeping them coming back is 2/3 of it.

Speak soon bud.

Mark

[Griffus]

Thanks Griff, ive heard a few people say the course is pretty decent, an have booked on to do the Alltec course through Karra. Apologises if you feel my 'newbie' post is a bit tedious, l have read a lot of other new posts on here but preferred to ask myself so l could get going... as you said you were where l am a few years back.  Im glad l did, ive gained good advice, booked the Alltec course and spent a day with Mark... cheers for today by the way Mark, much appreciated!

Marketing Melissa, from what ive read been told, it can make or break you. Im planning on starting with leafleting door to door and advertising in local mags/newspapers etc, along with starting a Facebook page an joining various groups on there, with eventually having a website. Have you found any dos or donts in your first three years you'd like to share?   

Steve, sorry about the 'tedious' comment, it wasn't directed at you.

One thing I'd suggest is looking at this from a slightluy different angle.

Carpet Cleaning is fairly technical, relatively expensive to set up, notoriously difficult to get work for new starters (at least decent paying) and even more difficult to make a decent living from, in the first 2 or 3 years at least.

There are other avenues that I'd suggest to start up, in advance, or in tandem of CC.   

Window Cleaning, believe it or not, is a much better way to get up and running.   It's a service that's required four weekly or so, thus allowing you to build up a good number of regulars.  These regulars also need other cleaning tasks, CC, PW, Conny, Gutters to name but a few.   They also know other people that need the same.

Rather than spend £'s on marketing stand alone CC / Upholstery, get out there and build yourself a Customer Base.

Outlay for WC is a lot cheaper, even if WFP and it WILL lead to more regular and sustainable income.   People are more easily convinced to part with £10 12 x a year than £120 + once a year.

Even if CC is where you see you future, do not under estimate the power of exposure that this would bring you. 

[Melissa Edwards]

Hi Steve, if I could turn back the clock, I'd get a website up and running before I even started the business and also learn basic local SEO and ensure the site was optimised, listed online in local directories and profiles set up etc. If you can hit the ground running with a decent search ranking and top it up with Adwords then you'll be in a strong position from day 1.
And try and get the best website you can for your budget. Think about how your customers will look for you - it's inevitably mostly online. Having leafleted heavily in my early months (without a decent Google ranking) I can see why some get frustrated in this business. But if you're ranked highly in Google for more than one decent location, you will do very well I'm sure. Maybe every locations is different but I'd far rather spend my money online than in magazines, newspapers etc.
There are also reasonably cheap, high quality options for web design these days. If budget is a big concern, then take a look at Themeforest for web templates (as cheap as £20) and then use a designer on odesk to get logos and the site altered to your specifications. You can probably get a perfectly decent site better than many out there for a couple of hundred pounds ish.
Hope this helps!