[Raj]

Guys.
Be gentle as its my first post on here.
I'm a 44 year old whos been in Printing all my life,working for someone else. I've had enough!!!
Now don't laugh at this but every time I use the Rug Doctor I get requests from people to do their carpets as they think I've done such a great job!
Guys,I need your advice about starting up... Can a one man band make a living,or am I too late??
Courses to attend first?..Stary doing  it weekends first? Kit etc?
Any help would be great... Sorry I'm babbling away!!! Raj- Leicester

[Jonathan Evans]

Hi Raj start by stopping using rug doctors. Carpets can look good after use but they use opticle brighteners after a fortnight they look awful.
Book onto a training course first most of the suppliers do them. Then decide on kit etc but the most important thing is marketing
Make sure you have a budget for that at least you should have some good contacts for leaflets.
As for living etc it is hard very hard but some make exceptional money and others support their lifestyles.
Depends on what you put into it tbh. You can get 2nd kit very reasonable. But ditch the dr it wont make your business better.

[Raj]

Thanks for that.Do pros laugh at uz DIYers for using Rug Dr!!? I wouldn't use it on any future paying customers!.
A course is defo a good gauge.. Where can I find local ones, anyone have any ideas?

[psc]

ncca course in Leicester perfect for you. Good instructors no hard sales

[Jonathan Evans]

No Raj as you do not know any better, plus their marketing is very good. NCCA would be a good place to learn what is involved.

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Wayne Zabel who is a member on this forum came into cc'ing after a previous life of being a printer.. Maybe you will be able to private mail him..
He's based in Bury I think..

Rog

[Raj]

Guys,I can only Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.I'll look into theses ncca courses after work.Cheers

[maxcampbell]

If you can organise a second income stream, that's what I'd recommend. Couldn't agree more with Andrew above - it's all down to marketing, and if you can plough most of your CC income into marketing, then within a few years you should be able to make a decent living.

Takings are not the same as earnings - people think CC'ing is great because you can turn over £400 a day quite easily, but in early days half that is needed to keep the business alive.

[Dave Lissaman]

Raj  I'm only based in Oakham and as a fairly new business can perhaps give you a few pointers - if you fancy having a day out to see what it entails send me a message

[Simon Wilbraham]

Hi Raj,
I was in the same position as you about 18 months ago.
I worked full time for a local government authority.
After some initial training (Cleansmart) I just worked evenings and the odd Saturday carpet cleaning.
Within a few months I was turning work away as I couldn't fit anymore appointments into my diary.
Since then I have been lucky enough to drop 2 days from my full time employment therefore I am now cleaning carpets 2 full days and 2 evenings per week.
It was nice having the security of a full time wage so the worry and pressure didn't exist of paying bill etc.
Hopefully by this time next year I will be in the position to give up my Local Government job and carpet clean full time.
I started out using a Steempro (as they can be picked up quite cheaply on eBay etc) but soon upgraded to a Jaguar 6.6.
Marketing wise I use Facebook (paid boosted ads), adwords and our website.
Before starting the Adwords route I would recommend setting up a decent website as without the website the conversion rate will be very small as if people don't like what they see when they click your ad they may just close the browser.
With the Christmas rush quickly approaching it will be a good time to start and get some money in the bank ready for next year!
Simon

[Raj]

Some great info here guys,thanks.Can I do Private messages???..It'd be great to spend an hour with you David to see how a pro does it.Could even help you on a job one Sat morning.

[tim handley]

i would snap Daves offer up mate if i were you....................   i dont think there is any personal messaging on here, which i find annoying, but,  take him up on the offer for sure...............

[Tony Stewart]

I'd go out with Dave for a day (go on a sickie). I'd get on a course at either Alltec near Royston or Cleansmart. They will show you how it's done professionally by the book and give you loads of advice. Then buy some second hand equipment after you have been on the course. A hot water extraction machine with a heater. I would keep the day job and do it part time until you get the knack. Go out and look at every job to price it up to give you a feel for the customers and the rooms etc.
Put up some little postcards in the local newsagents and a little cheap advert in the local paper and keep it simple. With Christmas on the way everyone wants their home looking nice for guests.
Voila a carpet cleaner in business.

[gwrightson]

"With the Christmas rush quickly approaching it will be a good time to start and get some money in the bank ready for next year!
Simon"

Do we still have a Christmas rush ?  I have not noticed any significant difference over the last 2 or 3 years , and I to be honest I don't really want a Christmas rush, I would much prefer to be steady throughout Christmas and the new year, Jan and Feb. have been pretty steady in recent times.
Geoff

[tim handley]

i think the xmas rush is for established traders who have a client base that they work and market hard, leading to the "xmas" rush, for me its a case of lets see how much longer i continue to be busy, i reckon in about two years maybe three, ill be having that "xmas" rush!!!!  ive been very busy for a while, i also have another income stream, so, a slightly quieter december/january is not ther end of the world for me.........

[Dave Lissaman]

Raj
Sorry thought there was a PM system
Call me on 01572 503123
Dave

[Raj]

That's great Dave.Appreciate that.
I'll give you a buzz after work tomorrow or on Sat.Let me know a preferred time/day
Many Thanks.

[Dave Lissaman]

Try whenever - I'll get back to you if I'm busy

[Raj]

Thank you for all your advice Dave.
I'll defo be in touch again soon.

[Ian Harper]

its not a JOB but a business that your going into. no wage at the end of the week. when people ask you to clean their carpets its because they see an opportunity to get something done on the cheap. next time your try this. work out the day cost of hire then your time then profit on top, give them the price and just watch them back off.

Having said that. its a great way to work where you have control over your time. coming from print you understand that if those machines dont run they are not making money. they can only run so many hours each day. with this type of business the hours you work each day depends on how well you sell yourself. and how well you do that will has a direct influence on wages and profit.

You dont want to become those print machines grinding out the hours. if your starting out. think about not doing the cleaning but finding and others to do the work. Sure i clean but its my choice after having 20 staff in a maid service i just got feed up with the churn of staff.  When I start that maid service i was more productive spending my time finding work than doing it. The key with staff is making them take responsibility for the work. if its wrong its down to them to redo at their expense and time. this is where good contracts come in. the up side for staff is if you pay by the job and not the hour. this also gives you flexibility with how much work you have each week and not having to pay them when you dont have any.

Hope this helps

Respects