[Gavin Davey]

Hi all

Thinking of starting a carpet and upholstery cleaning business in the Glasgow area. Still in the research stage.

Just wondering if anyone has started part time evenings and weekends to build confidence and experience?

I am thinking of doing some training in September and then start from there.

[Marius Alexandru]

Gavin,

I'm doing this part time for now, you can;t do this in the evenings, unless the costumer want you to come at 7-8 pm. I did it once for a friend at 6:45 pm, finished the job at 11 pm, would your costumer want you there till that late? I dont think so, this is more of a morning & afternoon job. 

[All-Seal]

Why go part-time? Design some nice leaflets, dress nicely and speak to people and your get the business. We get on average 8-10 enquiries a day and keep busy all day. Customers want clean carpets at good prices but not in the evenings unless its commercial where we go in at 10pm until 3am.

[Ian Harper]

Gavin Davey

Good luck.

get yourself on prochem course best around.

part time is the way to go when starting up. great money when you work but not so great when your not. marketing investment is your number one thing to learn. learn how to make money. you invest in making money its not a job. cleaning is just a way to get paid for that work.

[joel hill]

Hi

I'm new to carpet cleaning. But will be setting up as a sole trader in the next couple of months and desperately need some advice on what machine to get I'm after commercial as well as domestic customers.

I have enquire about a two day training course in July.

But before that I am seeking advice on what type of machine to get...

Cheers

[Mike Cottam]

I purchased a start-up package from Cleansmart in Nottingham. Great prices and amazing service. If you purchase a machine from them (I purchased the Airflex Mini), you get a free one-day training course, currently ran by Derek Bolton (very experienced and a great course).

Good luck with your new venture.

[Adam Eastman]

I would second Mikes comment. Last week I completed the last of the three courses ran by Cleansmart, all the courses ran by Derek have been very informative, and the service  from Matt and Co when purchasing my machine was superb.

I would suggest getting on the courses, have a look at the machines whilst there and then make a decision. All the machines are flexible with regards to what specification you wish, I was initially looking at the mini, but ended up with the Pro, due to its larger tanks and more vacuum lift. That said when I have the funds, I will probably be investing in a mini as well for those awkward to access jobs.

 

[joel hill]

Cheers guys for the advice, I would also like to mention the fact that I'm going to start part-time as I will be working full-time in my current job as I can't risk going full time due to kids and mortgage and all that

But was wondering how you guys started in the business and if part time is feasible

[joel hill]

Also I'm currently working on a website, but at the moment don't have the funds for a van or machine.

Was thinking better to spend my money website and advertising and training and once I get a customer hiring a machine and then further down the line leasing both machines and van.  What your take on this

[elliott cleaning]

Joel - my take on what you state above is not greatly positive.   You're working full time to provide for your family and keeping a roof over your head.
You're now looking to venture into something new in your spare time (how much of it do you have) - you also tell us that you don't have the capital to invest  in the basic machinery & transport required.  Like with any new business - you have to commit to invest  in it.  The way you are proposing looks as though you are just hoping to gently slide into the business. What you will find is that you are more than likely to quickly slide out of it again - and wasted alot of your valuable time

[joel hill]

Fair point ... let me explain surely it makes more sense to start small and build upon it and then eventually make the decision to go full time ASDA regret going full time spending money on expensive machinery and vehicle

[Mike Cottam]

Hi Joel.

It does make sense to start small and build your business up.

However, the one issue I am discovering with cleaning carpets in your spare time is that most customers want their carpets cleaning during the day whilst they are at work.  If you are working full time, then realistically you can only provide a service in the evenings or at weekends, which can and is often inconvenient for the customer.

I am working full-time until 26 August, when I will be devoting my time to carpet cleaning on a full-time basis. Until then, I can only offer evening / weekend appointments and its costing me customers.

Just something to think about.  I wish you well in your new venture.

[joel hill]

Thank you Mike for the heads up I've got a friend who's already running a cleaning business with modern equipment and a number of carpet cleaners and the plan is for the customers I can't serve he will in my company's name and charge me a agree day rate and once I've built up a number of contacts and could my name out there for to go full time..in mean time I want learn as much as possible from guys like you and work on website and advertising and training.

But I appreciate the help and feedback from you all.

[joel hill]

I know I'm not going to be making a great deal of money to start with hence why I will need to stay in full time employment to be honest it going to cost me money and most of my spare time

[Marius Alexandru]

Hi Joel,

Well done for having the courage to go into a business.

I will tell you the reality of it as like you I'm new to this trade, same like you I work full time and thank god to that!

My budget for this business adventure was....hmmmm not sure, I didn't start with a budget, I wanted the most professional equipment that its out there, So i bought an airflex storm, then vacuum, then sebo, then this, then that, then did a website, then  bought a van, then did sign writing then I realised I was £7.5 k I didn't even start cleaning carpets for money.  That was the easy part, now I'm doing marketing and I'm starting to realise that it's not that easy, been doing facebook, spent around £100 and got nothing out of it, I'm all day on facebook but for me it's not working, just started Pay per click campaign, still nothing is coming through, it's been only 3 days so I know it needs time, although I did get 6 clicks which cost me £14.

So like I said, cleaning carpets it's easy, finding the costumers is harder.

[joel hill]

Cheers Marius.

I can only imagine how hard it will be to get customers especially when there is so much competition in this field. And again only imagine how much time and effort you must be putting into your business as well as working full-time... I'm just at the start of my journey.... I will be helping out my friend on some of his job before going on two course... just so I got a basic idea before training

[joel hill]

Like you I would like to get the most advance equipment as I think this would help with labour time and a nice vehicle to give a good impression to customers but thinking lease would be the best option start off with

[Marius Alexandru]

Hi Joel,

I would not buy a nice shiny 2015/16 plate vehicle, a Ford Connect will do just fine, you can get them for £1.5 k or less. At this point my Van will do the job just fine.

After you help your friend out how will you be marketing?

[Stoots]

A couple of years ago i decided i was fed up in my full time minimum wage job and wanted to start a business, unfortunately with no money in savings or capital this was going to prove very hard.

Having looked at all the options i decided i wanted to get in carpets, however the very nature of the business and the financial outlay to get started not to mention how do you transition to it with no money behind you, seemed an impossible task.

Then i discovered window cleaning,  the beauty of it is once you have a customer you can keep going back, you are not relying on phone calls or marketting, knock on doors, put leaflets out and grow.

Anyway i found a part time job 30hrs a week, got a window round on the other day, then reduced hours to 16 built more windows, bought  a pressure washer, van, carpet gear, gutter vac, built websites adn started to get calls.

Then this year i ditched the job and went full time, kept hitting facebook, dropping leaflets and working away.

Very shortly i will have a good window cleaning round and can then realyly focus on the carpets, buy a nice machine and spend some coin on marketting.

Bottom line is if you are in full time work with no money its a hell of a job to transition to running a business but it can be done, you just need to plan it out and do it in a way than best suits your current position.

[Hilton]

What made you chaps choose carpet cleaning as a business, presumably you checked it out before hand and realised it's very difficult to break into in any meaningful way, plus plenty of pit falls along the way and all manner of materials and customers to trip you up......

So what was it that made you think , I can do that.