[IanP]

Hey all,

I was posting a few weeks back about setting up.
Well, I'm finally in a position to do it, all settled in the new house.

Main thing holding me back was finding a van! When you only drive automatic, that's not an easy task! Haha.
But I finally have one, it's in the garage right now getting a few repairs and a service.



Right, so I keep eyeing up the Airflex Storm (800psi version)
Any of you lot tried them? Using them? Feedback would be much appreciated

Checklist:
Van (Tick)
Website (In production)
Traning
Cleaning Equipment
Van Branding
Branded clothing
Flyers, business cards and such.

Must admit, I'm getting pretty excited about starting now

[Forum Admin]

That's fantastic Ian! Best of luck with it all, you will certainly get all the help and advice you need here on Clean It Up. Any questions or help just post and ask.........

[Adam Eastman]

Can't help but notice the training doesn't have a tick next to it. Personally I would make this my priority before spending £1000's on tool and vechiles.

Best of luck with the venture

[tim handley]

training and marketing budget needed right from the word go.........
re the storm 8oo, i have used one for almost three years and cannot fault it......
you may find your van is too small very very soon!!!!

[Marius Alexandru]

Wish you all the best !

With regards to the Airflex Storm, I have one, amazing bit of kit ! However If I was to buy again I wouldn't buy one to start of with, why ? If you will do 80% of the time just houses then yes, buy one, but as a new business you need to see how things goes, what your market it, what kind of houses/flats you will be cleaning. I bought the airflex and soon realized its too heavy to take in and out of the van (even though I did have it van mounted) so I soon had to buy a jaguar cub for the flats, I could honestly say there is no difference in cleaning, ok maybe a little bit but not worth the extra £££ when you are just starting out !

[IanP]

Can't help but notice the training doesn't have a tick next to it. Personally I would make this my priority before spending £1000's on tool and vechiles.

Best of luck with the venture

It is on the agenda, and I'm certainly doing a course before I do any work.
It's just hard finding time to get to one, with them all being so far away, around childcare and such. I'm possibly booking in for the CleanSmart one, next month.

[IanP]

training and marketing budget needed right from the word go.........
re the storm 8oo, i have used one for almost three years and cannot fault it......
you may find your van is too small very very soon!!!!

Too small? Just for carpet cleaning gear? Really?
Thanks for the review

[IanP]

Wish you all the best !

With regards to the Airflex Storm, I have one, amazing bit of kit ! However If I was to buy again I wouldn't buy one to start of with, why ? If you will do 80% of the time just houses then yes, buy one, but as a new business you need to see how things goes, what your market it, what kind of houses/flats you will be cleaning. I bought the airflex and soon realized its too heavy to take in and out of the van (even though I did have it van mounted) so I soon had to buy a jaguar cub for the flats, I could honestly say there is no difference in cleaning, ok maybe a little bit but not worth the extra £££ when you are just starting out !

Honestly, I can't see that being an issue where I'm based. There's not too many flats around here, certainly not many tower block types anyway and the flats here are probably 70% council flats where I doubt I would find a market anyway.

In the north east houses are cheap enough for anyone who would pay for a carpet cleaner to have one haha

[Adam Eastman]

Can't help but notice the training doesn't have a tick next to it. Personally I would make this my priority before spending £1000's on tool and vechiles.

Best of luck with the venture

It is on the agenda, and I'm certainly doing a course before I do any work.
It's just hard finding time to get to one, with them all being so far away, around childcare and such. I'm possibly booking in for the CleanSmart one, next month.

CleanSmart course is a starting point, it was the first course I did and Derek who runs it is a really nice chap. However the more in depth course with the NCCA I found more beneficial.

Once you done the training and seen what's envolved, I think as other have said you may find the van purchased is too small for all the gear you may want to carry or it will be a tight squeeze.

[tim handley]

training and marketing budget needed right from the word go.........
re the storm 8oo, i have used one for almost three years and cannot fault it......
you may find your van is too small very very soon!!!!

Too small? Just for carpet cleaning gear? Really?


 stick a storm in there, or similar,
 50 foot of hoses,
chems,
vac,
rotary,
buckets,
wands,
spotters,
sundries.

 you will see how soon you decide to get a bigger van......!!!!!
But its how we all start.......   and good luck with it............




Thanks for the review

[Claire Giles]

Welcome, and i agree this is how i started out with airflex storm i love it, do not forget ramps as well those are a god send storm can get very heavy, i drive a transporter nice and big, and its tight to get all my gear in. I wish u look, we all start from somewhere.

[IanP]

Thanks everyone.

Any chance of some pictures of inside some vans, so I can see what exactly I'm going to be dealing with? Haha
This van is just a little work horse, to get me going. I did/do plan on buying a new van once the pennies from carpet cleaning start to come in. I guess that may just have to be a bigger than than I expected/planned! Haha

I'm booked in for the CleanSmart Carpet and Upholstry next month. I didn't plan on getting into upholstry from the offset, but it just made sense to do it while there, if I'm travelling all the way from Sunderland.
Just need to book a hotel and train now

[tim handley]

I started at cleansmart as well, carpets, upholstery and also stain removal.......  great course, great trainer.
Have to say there are some other places much nearer you to get in touch with re training as well, you may already know
about restormate and cleanspec.........
I also started with a smaller van, and its fine for a while..........
gets you out earning.........
but when the pennies start coming in you start buying this and that and soon fill your van!!