Starting a biz need some help
Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Carpet Cleaners Hangout
Forum Description: General discussion on anything related to carpet cleaning
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1797
Printed Date: 25/February/2025 at 12:07pm
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Topic: Starting a biz need some help
Posted By: ccwannabe
Subject: Starting a biz need some help
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 10:11am
Hi guys ive been reading this forum for quite some time trying to get tips for starting my business. Ive been thinking about this for about 2 yrs now, whats the hold up u ask well, stupid me i keep finding partners that decide they dont want to do labour oh well. So ive decided im going to try to go it alone im just waiting for the new carpet cleaning dates for the class they advertise here but wanted to know, how much money do i really need to get this business going i plan to do commercial cleaning at night and res if anyone wants their carpets done at night. I live in canada so canadian prices please i was thinking no more than 15 g , get a used cargo van , and buy some used equipment fornm this shop, also could you let me know what exactely i would need, the plan is to start with the carpets and expand into air ducts and hard floors. please any and all advice is welcome peace. Need to get a move on. Also is this even possible as a one man show?
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Replies:
Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 10:47am
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Of course this is possible CC........there are many successful one man carpet cleaners in this business. ------------- The Following Statements do not Necessarily Reflect the Views of this Forum Network http://www.kleenkuip.com - http://www.kleenkuip.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 10:56am
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Thanks Adwa thats good to know , so at least this isnt a pointless goal , now i just have to get off my arse and get into gear. That was really worrying me though i didnt want to get the thing started and then find out it couldnt be done. So any idea on how much to get this thing going is 15 G realistic starting price or unrealistic? Hopefully i can get a small biz loan so if this thing flops i wont have to pay off the entire loan. Not that im thinking it will flop just trying to be realistic. Side note read a government study that soon trade skills are going to be in high demand, so hopefully i can get in at a good time.
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Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 11:09am
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CC.........it all depends on which type of equipment you want to start out with......you can start up your own business spending as low as $2,500.....purchasing a portable........or if you want to go the truck mount way 15g would get you a used unit with truck......or a decent TM unit without truck........If you decide to go the TM way.......it is good advise to have contracts already set in place to support that kind of investment. I'm sure the other members will correct me if I'm wrong and also give you good solid advise. Have a great Day ------------- The Following Statements do not Necessarily Reflect the Views of this Forum Network http://www.kleenkuip.com - http://www.kleenkuip.com |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 11:28am
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ccwannnabe.... Let me ask you one thing... why carpet cleaning????? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 12:01pm
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@ Adwa it will be a portable machine i dont want to invest truck mount money just yet. @ Mr steamer well currently i work in an office (7 yrs) and its the worst experience ever , when i used to have a maintenace job (general buliding mainteneace) i was at my happiest, I like to see results and i thought carpet cleaning would be a perfect job for seeing results , the carpet goes from dirty to clean or for my case from dirty to lawsuit ....anyway. But i like the thought of cleaning carpets and there is some good money to be made, not looking to get rich just looking for stability and job satisfaction. I also want the exercise and to be my own boss. From the business point i would like to held accountable for my actions as well and not for someone elses (never had any problems at work ..just how i feel) um so thats it in a nutshell good work get exercise my own boss ...self respect |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 12:05pm
| Sorry didnt post this previously Adwa but i was thinking 15g for the van , portable machine, flyers , insurance and cleaning supplies. Is 15 g to much ? |
Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 1:55pm
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CC........I'm out of my league with those kind of numbers........the guys will have to help you out with that one. ------------- The Following Statements do not Necessarily Reflect the Views of this Forum Network http://www.kleenkuip.com - http://www.kleenkuip.com |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 2:13pm
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do you have any contracts orr leads set-up already??? how do ypu plan to create work??? ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 2:25pm
Lol i got nothing i plan to get out buy a suit and start making some calls and setting up appointments, if i could get some part time night work doing carpets as an apprentice that might be cool  , ok so i guess 15 g is to much thats the best news ive heard, guess the kids can have breakfast and lunch again . The first thing i want to do is the courses so i can get a proper understanding of the business and how to do a proper job as well as learn pricing and such. Then make up a list of packages. And learn the equipment that i will need will help reduce newbie start up price. Right now in the process of selling our house to move into an apt, to save for a new house.....makes sense financially. But during this period which is shortly that is when i can take more risks
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 2:37pm
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really ccwb it's up to you and what kind of service you want to provide.. to start up from nothing 15 g may not do it, if you have to buy equipment and advertise... I think you misread Adwa... What you need is a few good commercial contracts...(I hate Commercial lol) does anyone else have some input???.... I hate to see a newbie loose his shirt ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 3:02pm
| Well i want to provide good service and get a decent machine thats easy to use and reliable (maybe that ninja one, again all dependant on the course and what i feel is required afterwards). The reason im going commercial is i want to keep my day job until i feel that the business is stable enough to be my new career, thats why im doing nights , I think most ppl (RES) want the work done during the day otherwise i would probably do that instead. If you dont mind the question Mr Steamer how much did it cost you to get underway (if you do mind the question. Also everything i get will be used, start small and focus on maintaining relationships is the plan. Also try contracts throw in bonus services as an incentive. Right now im just doing reasearch getting my papers together and such feel like an idiot for waiting for my last partner, waited almost a year and then he changes his mind. |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 4:17pm
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well I started the easy way...I Sub-contracted for a long while... I started out with a portable but quickly moved into a truckmount... if your subbing the only out lay you have is your equipment This is my first year out on my own I have two trucks... so you could say we are both at a starting point.... I've already spent 20 g's on just advertising since april if that gives you any Idea... thats nothing else..just getting the jobs.... I have alot of my own customers which I've stole from subbing over the years, which helps out alot... I couldn't see me starting from scratch... you need a lot of money to make it... cash flow is very important if I where you... I'd do residential evenings and weekends... maybe focus towards evening appointments... people are looking for that now adays all you need is maybe 2 to 5 calls a week to get you rolling....residential is quicker money in too... no invoicing and waiting
as a one man shot it's hard to work and answer the phones, so I hire some days and my wife does it some days....and I do it when it's slow.. it's slow this week and last... because I haven't put out any ads for Aug.. I want to breath this month and take it easy... so right now I book them my brother does them I have around 13 calls from now until friday saturady we are off.. keeping asking maybe you'll get some place... all we can do is ask ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 5:53pm
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The way this guy writes, one would think he's a Kennywannabee, but I have a funny feeling that he's a steamerwannabee just because of the fact Steamer always did like to talk to himself, and he's doing a fine job Nightrider |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 7:48pm
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Give me a break NR your the only one with multi-personalities around here.
------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
the many faces of nightrider
this one you used while in jail... it's the open wide facePosted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 8:49pm
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Think youve got a good idea there MR. Steamer im going to try to join someones company, maybe learn the ropes first ...does anyone have mainlines website i seen there was an AD here before and i called them but i carried a business pager at the time and they thought it wouldnt be a good idea, then maybe try the subbing and in the meantime take the courses. Sounds like a plan thanks for the advice Steamer . No to start lookin for some PT work. Lil extra change and learn the ropes at the same time...safe!
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Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 25/July/2005 at 11:31pm
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Oh!!!Oh!!!! CC you opened a can of worms..........mentioning that company name to Steamer. ------------- The Following Statements do not Necessarily Reflect the Views of this Forum Network http://www.kleenkuip.com - http://www.kleenkuip.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 8:32am
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Its the only company i know |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 8:44am
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ccwb.... hmmmm good luck is all I can say ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 8:58am
| Why do they not pay their workers or something? I dont want to have any problems just looking for a part time thing |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 9:03am
| Oh yeah , cant believe it costs you 20 g for advertising thats insane, well im going to take the courses try to get in some where, but may do the res thing at night i never thought ppl would want that. Ok guys thanks for the help ill be around, im always reading this forum just never say much lol. |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 9:10am
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you'll have to buy all their equipment and work for pennies a glass.. I don't know how it is now... but I know a few people with a bad taste in their mouth after working there... but some might say different.... are you in west or east gta.????? call KK they might be able to tell you who's looking for sub work... it's good to get the experience with a big firm ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 9:56am
| Im from scarborough, if i buy their equipment do they let me keep it , is it even good? thats weird dont really like that. |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 10:13am
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go in and see them... at least listen to what they have to say.
------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: ccwannabe
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 10:43am
| Hey Steamer can you give me a number or a website for them? |
Posted By: TMac
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 11:25am
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Go to www.croassamerican.com , its a portable that you can leave in the van and with the booster clean out to 200' without a problem. You can go portable when needed. Use the rest for supplies and advertising. |
Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 26/July/2005 at 11:50am
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use to be on here ccwb... call Kleen kuip or talk to Lee Senter ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |