truck mount or portable new carpet buis.?
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=5552
Printed Date: 23/February/2025 at 9:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: truck mount or portable new carpet buis.?
Posted By: magic masse
Subject: truck mount or portable new carpet buis.?
Date Posted: 29/December/2008 at 7:08pm
|
If anyone has the time to explain if i should buy a portable or truck mounted machine,as i am just trying to start my buisness with 0 experience and little money i would be very greatfull! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
|
Replies:
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 29/December/2008 at 9:39pm
|
Don't be offended with my answer.......BUT.............you asked a loaded question.
First......ZERO ( 0 ) MONEY and ZERO ( 0 ) EXPERIENCE EQUALS ( = ) FAILURE
So it doesn't much matter what you buy 100 dollar portable or a 100,000 dollar Truckmount................you will not succeed.
Nightrider
|
Posted By: cleanex
Date Posted: 30/December/2008 at 4:35pm
|
40 years ago I did the same thing you are talking about, ah but that was 40 years ago. To day I agree with nightrider, however, if you are determined to start out in this business I would suggest a good portable, and work your way into a truckmount once you have established a client base that will allow you to afford a truckmount. ------------- DON ELDRED YOU CAN "STAND" ON OUR REPUTATION |
Posted By: Superglide Ken
Date Posted: 30/December/2008 at 4:46pm
Good answer Don.  ------------- Inventor of the Teflon Wand Glide and the Turboteck Rotary Air Duct Cleaners for TMs. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 30/December/2008 at 11:05pm
Kenny.....you forgot to " Copy & Paste " Dons answer lol 
Nightrider
|
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 12:06am
|
hey guys- i'm pushing 60 and getting into your business. does this mean i'm doomed? ps- i do have a little cash to throw around . i just like cleaning and doing a good job of it.watchyathink?? ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 12:36am
|
If you have cash to throw around, that's what you might do.........some will come back to you some will get lost in the scuffle of " cost of doing business " and " a lesson well learned " . If you substitute a lack of experience with a desire to learn all the tricks of the trade.........and your money holds out..............IT'S A PIECE OF CAKE .
Nightrider
|
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 7:26pm
|
Go back to school to study business and marketing. who the heck starts a business with no money?
you're just trying to get yourself a part time job for beer money or casino money or something but a BUSINESS??? I think not.
|
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 7:28pm
|
You need at least $100,000 to get into this game playa-playa. and much of that should go to marketing. |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 7:37pm
Beer Money............... Is beer that expensive these days 
Nightrider
|
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 8:28pm
|
Did someone mention beer???? I'll take one ------------- 
The STD Meter |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 10/January/2009 at 11:55pm
Yeah.....That's right..........spend $95,000 in marketing and buy one of Kenny's portable
 Nightrider
|
Ken_Is_OK wrote:Posted By: FuzzSucker
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 1:18pm
|
100,000 gee that seems like a bit much. Maybe that much if you are trying to get into flood restoration and you want to do a full page add in the yellow pages. I would say more like 30,000 for just carpet cleaning if you want a good start.
------------- http://thepremierclean.com - http://thepremierclean.com | http://carpetcleaning-coloradosprings.com - Colorado Springs Carpet Cleaning |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 2:26pm
Rick, if you have built a business before you can do it again. Age is not a factor. If however you are just looking to make some money on the side I would recommend against it. This like any other business takes commitment and the willingness to accept that a business is one person who directs, many who act. If you aren't skilled at the grunt work, hire someone who is. You are the master of your business, not a slave to it. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 4:51pm
In Canada that does not even buy you a van? What the heck are you talking about???
New 3/4 ton van $$$
new cleanco pto $$$
chemicals
IICRC classes
advertising
Look, no disrespect but some of you need to go back to school.
|
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 5:00pm
|
HEY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR POSITIVE COMMENTS!
SO ASIDE FROM QUITTING AS MANY OF YOU SUGGEST I TAKE IT GETTING MY CERTIFICATION AND BUYING A PORTABLE IS JUST CRAZY?? I AM JUST TRYING TO START OUT HERE .... |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 5:32pm
|
Magic................here's the goods in real time reality.
Forget the portable right now if you can affort a truckmounted unit.................find one second hand and go after commercial accounts and homes. ( Homes during peak spring/summer )
Buy a portable if low on cash and chase after appartment dwellers, and small homes........try to get the " In & Out " Jobs .
Total investment $ 1,000 to $ 3,000
Start small, stay small, think small, be small..............just make the money you need to grow slowly.............be happy & live a simple life.
Nightrider
|
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 8:32pm
|
hi duckcountry- yes i've been in business before and got screwed by some nice people from colorado. have you ever heard of STRAW LOGGS? i lost my ass over that deal. i just think it's time to work for myself now instead of making bucks for the so called employer.my life has been grunt work so maybe it's about to change. wish me luck. LOL. ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 11:31pm
| Start small, stay small, think small, be small |
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 11:38pm
|
BILL GATES started SMALL---need i say anymore? ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 12/January/2009 at 11:57pm
Gates got a good education first.
|
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 12:08am
|
pardon me- he quit school and proceeded to get rich. FILTHY RICH!! ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 1:04am
|
Rick, just wondering what experience you have at building a business, not working for one.
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 1:57am
|
Gates got lucky. He BOUGHT DOS (Dirty Operating System) and convinced IBM it was better than CPM. The man who then lost the IBMPC business committed suicide over some little dweeb who promised the world to IBM and then had to figure out how to do it. Nearly everything he put his label on was either free when it started or reverse engineered and stolen. In my mind Gates is a bad example of how to build an enterprise. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 5:28am
|
Back in 1991 my initial investment was $10,000. I bought a Chev 3/4 ton $4000, portable extractor $3500, vacuum $700, Upholostery tool, $200, carpet groomer $30, various chems $400, and away I went. Five years later I purchased two more trucks and truckmounts. My point is I think most people in this business start small. some grow some do not. If you have the will and determination you can make it work. ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 12:40pm
I started SMALL with a Timbucktoo 10gal 2x2 stage 100psi in a Hachback..  
|
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 1:03pm
|
When I say Start small = start with a small investment keep your day job and see what income you generate with that investment.
Stay small = Don't get excited with a good month and think all the months will be the same.....thus spending money on a new car/truck/truckmount/whatever. Stay small until you see a pattern of steady income .
Think small = Don't have ideas or delusions of grandure.....thinking big without proper financing or a solid foundation of backup cash.....will just mean a demise to principals of financial managment.
Be small = Don't get a swollen ego and think your $hit don't stink if and when you do get big , don't have the attudude " hey look at me.....I'm a somebody.....look at my car, my house, my clothes, look at all the toys I can buy........BE HUMBLE..... help the other guy climbing the ladder with you , don't talk bad about your competition.........and never kick the guy behind on your way up the ladder to success.....because you never know who you may run into on your way down
NIGHTRIDER
|
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 2:00pm
|
Those are true words of wisdom from the nightrider. Pride goeth before a fall, a haughty spirit before destruction. In the big scheme of things none of us who have walked the planet is any more significant or relevant than the rest. When we pass away each takes from this world what we brought into the world - nothing - which in the end is our true net worth. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 4:39pm
Someone once said to me "The man who dies with the most TOYS WINS".. I said "What do you WIN"? your dead..!              
|
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 6:07pm
|
Go Big Or Go Home.
Imagine if your supplier started small and only had formula 77 for the first 3 years. would you stay with them LOL shut up already.
|
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 7:52pm
|
Dip sh*t! How do you continue to operate a business? I have a hard time believing you started with $100,000
Sounds like somebodey needs to pump up their ego! ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 8:15pm
|
Ken_Is_Ok......is a prime example of a man who should not speak for their own cause , either through ignorance, or because of the dread of their more potent adversaries .
It is better to light the candle of your mind , than to curse the darkness that lurks within .
Nightrider
|
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 13/January/2009 at 11:46pm
well there is a good way to start small and still be CRI approved.
 |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 14/January/2009 at 2:09pm
|
That decision from CRI will take them years to live down. No doubt it brings into question the value of their rendered opinions. Personally, I have always felt that since we know how to clean carpet and they know how to make it - I'll buy into their decisions about how to clean carpet when they buy into my decisions about how to make carpet. That seems fair. Any negative points they wish to make about the logic involved can be turned around into one against their lack of it. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: FuzzSucker
Date Posted: 15/January/2009 at 9:30pm
Hey I said a good start not a kick a$$ start with all new equipment and new van. Besides if your just getting into the business I would not recommended buying the most expensive stuff around. Your talking about something entirely different than I good sir. So you can go back to school, I started my business 5 years ago with $5,000 and I'm doing more than fine. (I will say the first year was pretty ruff) ------------- http://thepremierclean.com - http://thepremierclean.com | http://carpetcleaning-coloradosprings.com - Colorado Springs Carpet Cleaning |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 15/January/2009 at 10:07pm
| define "more than fine" |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 16/January/2009 at 9:51pm
|
HEY guys
Just wanted to express my appreciation for those of you who have had positive and enlightening things to say. I know how busy you must be . Thank you Jason Masse |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 16/January/2009 at 9:54pm
| THX night rider |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 16/January/2009 at 10:13pm
|
Hey NIGHT
So what would i be looking at for a truck mount ? I have a honda ridge-line paid for ! Would consider a truck mount in the back but would like to be able to throw my moto's in the back as well on weekend trips and what not Is their a such thing as an in- out truck mount machine ? Just doesn't make sense to me to buy a van to get the truck mount seeing how i have the truck paid off? |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 16/January/2009 at 11:18pm
|
Magic.......................The guys you should be directing that question to should be JohnL.....Doug.....Mr. Steamer.....CMaster..... and Hammy. They have the mechanical knowledge and expertise in this field.
I am more into Marketing and tricky ways to promote a business.
I live in Montreal and I have seen used half decent truckmounts ( truck and unit 1992 to 1997 ) for as little as 5,000 dollars.
Nightrider
|
Posted By: cmaster
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 1:36am
|
If you want an in/out unit, buy a porty. It would be a huge PITA doing that with a tm -------------
The STD Meter |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 9:14am
| The Honda will not support truck mounted carpet cleaning equipment. |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 4:08pm
Call me stupid, but I thought that was a reference to pita bread. Go ahead, greek bread and truckmounts, say it - STUPID! Not trying to be a PITA ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 4:17pm
|
A Honda would support a small truckmount with out a freshwater tank.
I have to agree with Cmaster it would be a PITA!
The best scenario being a Van.
The second best scenario would be enclosed trailer. That way the unit doesn't have to be moved in and out, and the unit is secure and out of the elements. ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 6:58pm
|
you need a better plan?? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 8:10pm
|
pardon my ignorence but whay the hell is a PITA???? ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 8:11pm
|
I think we need a bigger boat! ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 8:27pm
They are usually filled with chicken and are a pain in the a** to eat??? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 8:32pm
|
thanks doug ,i live in the sticks but now i get it LOL ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 17/January/2009 at 9:35pm
Would he still be able to put 2 moto's in with the TM unit?
probably not.
|
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 18/January/2009 at 11:33am
|
just build a second story pile it high? ------------- Just My opinion |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 18/January/2009 at 2:01pm
|
thats an idea
thx doug |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 18/January/2009 at 2:07pm
|
night will do
thx again for the positive ,help-full hints thx |
Posted By: magic masse
Date Posted: 18/January/2009 at 2:10pm
|
Hammy thank you !
Cant believe i didn't think of an enclosed trailer Any ideas on what truck mounts and where to buy one trust worthy sources in southern california$ |
Posted By: Mark McMaster
Date Posted: 18/January/2009 at 6:21pm
|
PITA = Pain the A$$ Nightrider........good post. Aperson can search the for sale adds and get in reasonably cheap right now as there's lots of people folding up right now. Don't let that discourage you. You only get out of it what you put into it. Sure you can get yellow page adds. post in your local rag etc. but you have to cold call people/companies. Many people start and then they sit at their puter looking out the window and wonder why no one is calling them. Gett off your ass and go get them! You only get out of it what you put into it. I started off with a business plan and where I was planning to be in 5 years, I'm there now after 2 1/2 years. I've worked for it tho! Tell everyone who will listen what you do and network! Have a good one. Mark ------------- Don't take your organs to heaven..... Heaven knows we need them here http://www.mcmastertile.com - www.mcmastertile.com |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 19/January/2009 at 2:15am
|
McMaster is right. You can be on track and standing still get run over by the train coming behind you. If you get on the track get your backside moving or become a speed bump for someone else with a bigger dream and a pedal to the metal.
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 19/January/2009 at 1:43pm
|
Mark McMaster tells it like it is.....................he's right..............winter is here and this should be your busy time of year ( NOT FOR CLEANING ) You should be out meeting people, companies, restaurants, appartment buildings , even knock on some homes.
Don't wait untill spring........Spring will come on its own and when it does people will remember you and if they don't............call them back and go see them again
THE ROAD TO FAILURE OFF ALL BUSINESSES IS THROUGH THE ACTS OF GOOD ITENSIONS
Nightrider
|
Posted By: Hammy
Date Posted: 19/January/2009 at 4:25pm
|
We have all heard this before so I will say it again.
You don't plan to fail.................. You fail to plan! ------------- Could somebody just clean my carpets! |
Posted By: Ken_Is_OK
Date Posted: 19/January/2009 at 4:35pm
|
Once I was sitting in my car at a light beside a city bus, I was reading the ad on the side of the bus and I guess the bus moved forward real slow. At that moment I thought that I was moving backwards so I press real hard on the brake. This is when I realized that metaphorically if you are sitting still it's the same as moving backwards.
|
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 19/January/2009 at 8:37pm
 ..............How true you are. Good Post
Just to mention...........I hate when that happens.........I just about broke my break peddle once
Nightrider
|
Posted By: Ed Valentine
Date Posted: 20/January/2009 at 8:10am
|
I started in 1971 and used a "portable". Hummmm. Guess that makes me a failure.............oh no! And, yes, I will admit that I made 2-wrong purchases at the very beginning, which taught me a BIG lesson: That I didn't have the RIGHT machine. Then I made my own...............................
11 trucks later.............................then a World-Wide operation.....................
hummmmmm, guess that makes me a failure anyways!!!!!
It is very important that ---most---surround themselves with other successful individuals whom can help offer sound ideas that will alieviate the hurdles.
The very best to all;
Ed Valentine
Cross-American Corp.
|
Posted By: nightrider
Date Posted: 20/January/2009 at 11:33am
|
That's why we have Kenny to turn to on the KleenKuip site ............
Nightrider
|
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 20/January/2009 at 1:40pm
|
I started in 1971 with a rotary shampooer, then 4. Went to portable steam cleaners in 1974 but found shampooing was a necessary first step in those days. Now bonnet rocks for me and cars, not vans, are my mode of transportation once more. So I guess I too am a failure - a failure with staying power. I guess I never knew when to quit! ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 20/January/2009 at 5:16pm
|
Old Farts........
|
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 21/January/2009 at 2:23am
|
Yep, 57 last week.
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 23/January/2009 at 8:26am
|
a fossil???Oh well I'am not that far behind??? ------------- Just My opinion |