WHAT DO CUSTOMERS THINK WHEN U BRING A PORTY IN???

I AM JUST STARTING A CARPET CLEANING BUSINESS AND I AM GOING TO BE USING A A ROTOVAC DHX WAND, AND A NINJA WARRIOR PORTY. I AM JUST WONDERING IF I HAVE A HUGE DISADVANTAGE OVER THE GUYS USING A TM. IM JUST KIND A WORRIED WHEN I HAVE TO TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT I NEED TO USE THERE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND TOILET OR DRAIN AND ROLL THIS BIG MACHINE UP THERE STEPS AND IN TO THERE HOUSE. SO IF YOU GUYS OUT THERE ARE USING A PORTY, GIVE ME YOUR INPUT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS!!

Stuey, 20 years ago I started carpet cleaning with a small underpowered portable machine that meant I had to work my guts out to do a good job. After a few years I bought a more powerful portable machine, added a booster box and a gas heater and had it permanently mounted in the van. This made my workload a LOT easier. It is a better LOOK than having to bring the machine inside ( and it saves your back which does have a use by date ). I now have a petrol powered truckmount which again makes the physical effort even less BUT costs a lot more than the portable.

Hey Stuey, one more thing. BEST OF LUCK!

My portable had an auto fill so I simply connected it to the outside house tap and it automatically keeps the machines tank full. It also had an inbuilt auto pump out system so I didn't have to stop and empty it during the job. At times I would run two booster boxes and use 45 metres of two inch hose easily. ( the only pain is rolling three extension leads ). A little giant gas heater provides hotter water than most truckmounts. I have always been happy with Prochem chemicals. There are plenty of good brands out there, dont buy the cheapest ones, buy the best ones. Your actual chemical cost per job is miniscule compared to what you are earning for your labour. Why spend less money on crap chemicals if you have to work your back harder to get the job CLEAN. PROTECT your back with gym work and flexibility training or it WILL wear out and then how will your make the $$$? You can do a great job without a truckmount. It just means you will have to use more physical or mechanical effort to get the carpets clean. A rotovac is a good idea. Any form of agitation of the prespray into dirty carpets will mean less back effort on your part during extraction. Always prevacuum with a quality vacuum ( Dyson ). Get some training. IICRC Carpet cleaning at the very least. You get confidence with knowledge and then you get more $$$.

Edited by RIP IT - 26/January/2010 at 10:04pm

YEA NO sh*t!! BUT WHAT I MEAN IS, DO THEY MIND YOU LUGGIN THIS BIG MACHINE IN THERE HOUSE AND USING ALL THERE AMENITIES?

KEEPING IT IN THE VAN IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT I WOULD NEED A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET OF HOSE THEN. WHICH IS NO BIG DEAL, BUT HOW MUCH WILL MY SUCTION POWER DECREASE WITH ALL THAT HOSE?

the carpet cleaner i work with uses a ninja porty and my customers love it. often they're commenting on how good the machine looks and are really impressed. the could be different in different countries but at least in the uk frmo what i have seen they like portys.