New - B .... Lots of questions...

Hello,

An old new guy here, thinking about getting back into the carpet cleaning business.

Thirty years ago I was in the business part-time using dry foam extraction. Hot water extraction had blasted onto the scene and was becoming very popular. I found I could not compete with the guys who were doing a whole house for $19.95 and gradually got out of the business.

Thirty years later, I am thinking about getting back into the business. I have been looking at portables as the TM units are just too expensive and in talking with people here in Arizona (dry and dusty place) some have complained about TM cleaners requiring their doors to be open while the job is done. At this point I am leaning towards the Quadra 4 pack from Cross-America as a good start. It seems like a good affordable package with an excellent reputation.

If any of you could help me with a few questions, I would appreciate it.

I will be working with my brother, I'm 55 he is 45. Is it reasonable to expect we can make a couple hundred bucks a day in this business? (We live in a metro area of almost 4 million people.)

How do you guys handle Liability Insurance? Is it expensive? Have you had many issues with carpet damage? I never had an issue with the dry-foam method, but am concerned about the amazing power of the hot water extraction method and any possible carpet damage concerns.   

On an average residential job, what are your approximate chemical usage costs? I see the chemicals are much more expensive today. How does that work out for you guys?

Any information is appreciated.

Like I said, I have been away from this business for a long time and am trying to do as much research and information gathering as possible before jumping back in.

Thanks for your time.   

Welcome guys, I have a cross america XPS and in line booster, bought a couple months ago, after having 3 different machines. Its so great not to have to lug the machine up stairs, room to room, etc. I generally leave in foyer or kitchen and run easily 50'-75' which cleans most homes in my area I haven't even used the in line booster vac. yet I'm waiting until I exceed 100'. Ed's cleaning surfactants are good also and easy to store you get to by in pure form and mix from there, 1/2 gallon makes 5 RTU gallons. Yes to your question a couple hundred bucks a day should be no problem, one thing we elders have (I'm 51) alittle gray and people seem to trust you'll do a good job. Ed's machine only weighs 85# so no big deal there most are over 100#+. Best of luck

Cleaning chemicals are not a significant overhead cost. Gasoline and marketing and insurance will be your highest costs. Of course, if you have employees, then salary/commission is your highest.

Insurance: Hefty, but not as bad as we'd thought starting out. Having a portable system versus a TM cuts that cost considerably.  Depending on your local laws, you could get away with a minimum policy, but many contracts will demand a $1Million policy. We went with Hartford.

Cleaning chemicals: Head down to your local supplier, and take some pad and paper and calculator with you. Do a unit cost analysis of the various chemicals available. We buy 1 gal. for prespray at $40/gal. and 1 gal. for rinse at $40/gal. We use 8oz. of prespray concentrate to make 2 gallons of ready prespray and will use it all on an average 4 area job. 128 oz./8oz. = 16 applications. $40./16 applications = $2.50 of prespray per job. Not bad.

Your profit depends on your local markets of course. Do you want the premium markets? Those big homes where the customer doesn't care what it costs? You've gotta have the best equipment and all the certifications. Want to hit the medium-range market, with single-family homes? Print some doorhangers and hit the streets, my friend. Want the "value customer"- those apartment contracts? Talk to managers and do demos. Want the commercial contracts? Join the chamber of commerce and make connections...

Advice:
1. Become a PEOPLE PERSON
2. Get yourself a website and learn how search engines work.
3. Study your local carpet cleaners and learn what prices they're getting versus what markets they're hitting.

    John-
Have you tried any of the products?