Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jamie Lindsay on December 16, 2011, 12:48:45 pm

Title: adding services
Post by: Jamie Lindsay on December 16, 2011, 12:48:45 pm
I always see newbies coming on here and saying there adding cc to there window cleaning round or im a painter and im thinking about adding cc etc

just wondering if anyone knows of any services you could add to carpet cleaning ??
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: jasonl on December 16, 2011, 01:03:02 pm
Fire and flood

pressure washing

builders cleans

hard floors

tile and grout

window cleaning

all of these will not cost a lot to add.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jamie Lindsay on December 16, 2011, 01:49:47 pm
do receive alot of work from these other services ?
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: jasonl on December 16, 2011, 02:46:33 pm
I only do fire and flood from that list , its a bit hit and miss , but I use very little equipment and people different to the carpet cleaning , meaning that I have no costs when not doing fire and flood work . done just over 40k in fire and flood this year, payment takes ages though and still waiting for most of that.

You can make very large amounts on fire and flood if a massive flood happens near you , or you can travel.

In 2007 /8 I made my best ever profit purely in flood work , the land I bought has set me up for life when I build on it. 
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jamie Lindsay on December 16, 2011, 02:48:43 pm
thanks for that

I will look into those services
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 16, 2011, 03:08:59 pm
I only do fire and flood from that list , its a bit hit and miss , but I use very little equipment and people different to the carpet cleaning , meaning that I have no costs when not doing fire and flood work . done just over 40k in fire and flood this year, payment takes ages though and still waiting for most of that.

You can make very large amounts on fire and flood if a massive flood happens near you , or you can travel.

In 2007 /8 I made my best ever profit purely in flood work , the land I bought has set me up for life when I build on it. 

was that the year you was telling me about jason where you turned over a million???
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Colin Day on December 16, 2011, 03:33:40 pm
Oven cleaning's a winner... This week I've had 3 carpet cleaning jobs and 7 oven cleans. If I just did carpets, I'd be struggling this week..... ;)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jamie Lindsay on December 16, 2011, 03:58:16 pm
any good web pages on learning how to clean ovens?
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: jasonl on December 16, 2011, 04:04:35 pm
I only do fire and flood from that list , its a bit hit and miss , but I use very little equipment and people different to the carpet cleaning , meaning that I have no costs when not doing fire and flood work . done just over 40k in fire and flood this year, payment takes ages though and still waiting for most of that.

You can make very large amounts on fire and flood if a massive flood happens near you , or you can travel.

In 2007 /8 I made my best ever profit purely in flood work , the land I bought has set me up for life when I build on it. 

was that the year you was telling me about jason where you turned over a million???

Yes plus my carpet cleaning .
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Steve Gunn on December 16, 2011, 04:10:19 pm
I added window cleaning,pressure washing,tile and grout,upvc cleaning,conservatory cleaning. Window cleaning is regular income built up a small round which can be done in a day.

Oven cleaning training http://www.ovencleaningequipment.co.uk/training/index.php  (http://www.ovencleaningequipment.co.uk/training/index.php)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on December 16, 2011, 05:08:17 pm
Hi Colin,and members,my own oven,well,it is`nt too bad as such
To some that you will see so before the Xmas turkey goes in,I`m
Gonna give it a clean.
I`ve seen those oven pride packs in places like Tesco`s Asda stores
Etc.and wondered if for around £4.99p. They are worth the money ?
I`ve heard good reports,having said that anything beats a Mr.Muscle
Areosol spray can.

Replies and advice appreciated.


Lewis  Doubtfire
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 16, 2011, 05:20:40 pm
my advice, pay a pro to do it, the oven will look mint and in the 2 hours it takes him/her, you could earn 3 times what he charges you for it. everybody's happy, including the tax man ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Colin Day on December 16, 2011, 05:36:00 pm
any good web pages on learning how to clean ovens?

Pop me an email, I'll send a brief outline and some tips on which are the best chemicals.... ;)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Ian Rochester on December 16, 2011, 07:24:12 pm
I started out doing carpet cleaning 9 years ago and 6 months later diversified into window cleaning, we now do:

Window Cleaning
Office Cleaning
Domestic Cleaning
Pressure Washing
Conservatory Roof Cleaning
Gutter Cleaning
Wheelie Bin Cleaning
Leather Cleaning & Restoration
Hard Floor Cleaning
End of Tenancy Cleaning
Common Area Cleaning
Oven Cleaning
Caravan Cleaning
Fire & Flood Restoration
Carpet Fitting
House Clearances
Removals and Disposals
Pest Treatments
Graffitti Removal
Commercial Kitchen Cleaning
Ventilation and Extraction duct cleaning

There's probably other stuff that we've done as one off's but haven't mentioned. 

We now employ 21 staff

So to answer your question, yes you can diversify from Carpet Cleaning if you want to, it also means that you are not so dependant on one source of income.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Mike Halliday on December 16, 2011, 07:30:54 pm
pressure washing is the perfect add on for carpet cleaners, 4 years ago i was thinking of trying to jack the carpet cleaning in and just pressure wash.

with the right kit you can earn really good money i was earning  in a weekend P/W as i was during ther week carpet cleaning.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Paul Moss on December 16, 2011, 07:46:46 pm
I started out doing carpet cleaning 9 years ago and 6 months later diversified into window cleaning, we now do:

Window Cleaning
Office Cleaning
Domestic Cleaning
Pressure Washing
Conservatory Roof Cleaning
Gutter Cleaning
Wheelie Bin Cleaning
Leather Cleaning & Restoration
Hard Floor Cleaning
End of Tenancy Cleaning
Common Area Cleaning
Oven Cleaning
Caravan Cleaning
Fire & Flood Restoration
Carpet Fitting
House Clearances
Removals and Disposals
Pest Treatments
Graffitti Removal
Commercial Kitchen Cleaning
Ventilation and Extraction duct cleaning

There's probably other stuff that we've done as one off's but haven't mentioned. 

We now employ 21 staff

So to answer your question, yes you can diversify from Carpet Cleaning if you want to, it also means that you are not so dependant on one source of income.

Now your just getting Greedy Ian  ;D

Well done mate you have worked hard the past few years to build it up  8)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Doctor Carpet (Ret'd) on December 16, 2011, 08:25:30 pm
As my business has developed I've ditched various services ending up wher I pretty much specialise in only doing carpets and upholstery.

Stopped doing p/w, curtains, hard floors, digfficult leather.

As I 've concentrated on just c&U I've put my prices up so that they have become the most profitable and the others wouldn't cut the mustard now.

Rog
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Ian Rochester on December 16, 2011, 10:04:18 pm
Paul

The best and most profitable work out of all that lot is Window Cleaning and Bin Cleaning, customers are serviced every 4 weeks, very little ongoing outlay other than vans and wages
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Neil Williams on December 16, 2011, 10:14:09 pm
Paul

The best and most profitable work out of all that lot is Window Cleaning and Bin Cleaning, customers are serviced every 4 weeks, very little ongoing outlay other than vans and wages

That's true but shear boredom of it lead me to sell that part of the business.
Having said that I did a gutter clearence and clean today £180 for 2 hours work, but I still wouldn't want to do it everyday even more so in winter.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Richard Basey-Fisher on December 16, 2011, 10:40:53 pm
i have a great sideline but i will keep that to myself . :P
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jim_77 on December 16, 2011, 10:43:05 pm
Rich Bigalo, Male Gigalo :D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Colin Day on December 16, 2011, 10:53:32 pm
i have a great sideline but i will keep that to myself . :P

Most of us know.... ;)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 17, 2011, 02:05:51 pm
i don't but i'd guess golf club cleaning, thats like watching porn all day for richie. ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Simon Gerrard on December 17, 2011, 03:34:58 pm
I think you've got to be careful not to become a 'Jack of all trades and master of none.' It's all very well adding services but you have to like, even have a passion for each one of them, so you are equally good at each.
I used to do floor cleaning, carpet fitting, re-sanding and finishing dance floors etc but found thatI didn't enjoy them as much as carpet cleaning so dumped them and specialised, never looked back since.

Simon
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 17, 2011, 04:56:19 pm
maybe thats why i gave up to easily on pressure washing, hated it, i mean, if i wanted to wear wellies and goggles and a mac, i could of joined billys fetish club. ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Steve Rothwell on December 17, 2011, 05:01:23 pm
Ah but..................

you have to have a small blower to be a member there.....   :o

So I have been told  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Doug Holloway on December 17, 2011, 05:14:25 pm
Hi Guys

When I first went into industry the buzz word was diversification, where companies set up/ bought any number of different businesses often unrelated.

This was followed by consolidation, i.e selling out at a loss when it all became too much.

I believe it is better to be good at a few things, than try to spread too thin.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Richard Basey-Fisher on December 17, 2011, 05:46:53 pm
maybe thats why i gave up to easily on pressure washing, hated it, i mean, if i wanted to wear wellies and goggles and a mac, i could of joined billys fetish club. ;D

derek there is nothing wrong with wearing wellies .  although it does come with some problems .   as most of you know i grew up on a farm and was a farmer for most part of 15 years lived in wellies and you end up with wellie rub syndrome which basically you get a 4 inch ring round your leg at the top of the wellie where the hair s drop out and dont grow back this is fine but when you go swimming on holiday your get a nasty burn ring from your pale legs .  it haunts me o this day
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jim_77 on December 17, 2011, 05:57:04 pm
Rich...

http://www.belgraviacentre.com/hairlosstreatments/

:)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: clinton on December 17, 2011, 06:00:49 pm
Your used to it richard with the farm life ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Richard Basey-Fisher on December 17, 2011, 06:02:05 pm
Rich...

http://www.belgraviacentre.com/hairlosstreatments/

:)

does it work then jim   or should i ask colin and derek  ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 17, 2011, 06:09:34 pm
well if you ask me whether it works then i think you need to go to specsavers.

allthough clinton says it works too much ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: clinton on December 17, 2011, 06:11:59 pm
Derek it does work...Honest ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jim_77 on December 17, 2011, 06:13:25 pm
Just be careful they do it in the right place

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SQcxdVM5WZw/RwYcNN7UVzI/AAAAAAAAAwo/ugaU_H46sro/s400/Danielle_Lloyd_Hairy_Armpits.jpg)
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 17, 2011, 06:20:20 pm
gotta be german.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Carpet Dawg on December 17, 2011, 07:15:56 pm
Up in Aberdeen.... Putting the rear legs of Sheep inside of your wellies is a great way to keep them from running away!

So i've been told!!!!
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Richard Basey-Fisher on December 17, 2011, 07:30:43 pm
Up in Aberdeen.... Putting the rear legs of Sheep inside of your wellies is a great way to keep them from running away!

So i've been told!!!!

and thats the scots what an earth do the welsh do
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: derek west on December 17, 2011, 07:50:43 pm
the sheep wear the wellies in wales ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: ian harper on December 18, 2011, 06:48:26 am
Jamie

Title: Re: adding services
Post by: AshWhite on December 18, 2011, 10:34:40 am
Up in Aberdeen.... Putting the rear legs of Sheep inside of your wellies is a great way to keep them from running away!

So i've been told!!!!

and thats the scots what an earth do the welsh do

Velcro gloves!
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Colin Day on December 18, 2011, 10:52:57 am
Jamie

I think its a massive mistake to add services when you start out just cleaning carpets. The market can support any person just cleaning carpets.


What happens, and i have, done it myself is you hit a wall for work and instead of breaking though it you go around it and add a new service. this keeps happening, until your jack of all. stand your ground if you just clean carpets and you will find a way to increase the amount you do each week. i have done it i only clean carpets.

I think this is true in most trades

respects

Ian



Totally disagree with that comment. I started oven cleaning within the first 3 months of starting carpet cleaning and it has served me well. I'm getting into people's homes to clean their ovens who have never even thought of having their carpets cleaned, and visa versa. I'm then in a position to talk to them about what can be done and I leave them with a quote and tend to book them in, there and then.

I can cope pretty well doing both jobs at the same time too and I often win the job offering 2 services, saving them time and money looking elsewhere for an oven cleaner. When it gets to a point I can no longer cope doing both services, I will employ someone, simple as that.... Onwards and upwards. ;)

I have stopped at offering any other services but get asked all too often "Do you clean patios, cars, windows, guttering?" and on quite a few occasions, "Do you clean swimming pools...?"

I have nothing against people who do take extra work on, these tend to be the successful ones among us like. There are also of course, very successful people who just do carpet cleaning too.

As they say, horses for courses.

If you CAN offer another service, what harm can it do?
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: robert meldrum on December 18, 2011, 11:14:52 am
i don't but i'd guess golf club cleaning, thats like watching porn all day for richie. ;D

OMG.........That takes me back. As a 16 year old ( yes I was young once ) I spent Saturday and Sunday mornings cleaning, refinishing, repairing golf clubs and re studding golf shoes as part of my " training " to become a Golf Pro.

Before most of you were born  :o :o :o :o



Title: Re: adding services
Post by: robert meldrum on December 18, 2011, 11:38:18 am
Ian's correct ......in theory and most " business gurus " agree with him suggesting it's all about FOCUSSING  your efforts and time and thoughts in order to get the maximum from all of those.


Colin's correct.....for some who keep seeing " another opportunity " to be pursued and can't resist the challenge.


A few are very successful but most as Ian says get kinda lost along the way and spend most of their time chasing their tail.

However, in today's climate it might be wise to have more than one iron in the fire. As usual there's no definitive answer.
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: mike roberts on December 18, 2011, 11:47:42 am
Jamie

I think its a massive mistake to add services when you start out just cleaning carpets. The market can support any person just cleaning carpets.


What happens, and i have, done it myself is you hit a wall for work and instead of breaking though it you go around it and add a new service. this keeps happening, until your jack of all. stand your ground if you just clean carpets and you will find a way to increase the amount you do each week. i have done it i only clean carpets.

I think this is true in most trades

respects

Ian



Totally disagree with that comment. I started oven cleaning within the first 3 months of starting carpet cleaning and it has served me well. I'm getting into people's homes to clean their ovens who have never even thought of having their carpets cleaned, and visa versa. I'm then in a position to talk to them about what can be done and I leave them with a quote and tend to book them in, there and then.

I can cope pretty well doing both jobs at the same time too and I often win the job offering 2 services, saving them time and money looking elsewhere for an oven cleaner. When it gets to a point I can no longer cope doing both services, I will employ someone, simple as that.... Onwards and upwards. ;)

I have stopped at offering any other services but get asked all too often "Do you clean patios, cars, windows, guttering?" and on quite a few occasions, "Do you clean swimming pools...?"

I have nothing against people who do take extra work on, these tend to be the successful ones among us like. There are also of course, very successful people who just do carpet cleaning too.

As they say, horses for courses.

If you CAN offer another service, what harm can it do?
'
Spot on Colin ;D ;D works for us ..... the only problem we do have is with the 'Carpet cleaning' side of the business...... at it seems 'new' customers want the work carried out 'at the drop of the hat'!!

With all the other services we offer customers will wait... the variation certainly relieves the boredom, no disrespect but would hate to clean carpets constantly ... few a week great!

Last wk
Sunday-Wed at a school cleaning storm porches upvc cleaning window cleaning wfp- 3 operators
Tuesday night carpet cleaning - 2 operators,
Thursday Gutter vacuuming fascia/ soffits - 2 operators
Friday wedding reception hall cleaning - general cleaning / buffing -2 operators
Saturday- Industrial Site Litter / picking vacuuming (Billy goats) - 2 operators
Saturday - Office cleaning - 2 operators

Sunday day off bored  ;D ;D

As for comment jack of all trades - As much as some disguise the fact we are all cleaners - Its not rocket science

At the end of the day its what works for You  ;D
Title: Re: adding services
Post by: Jamie Lindsay on December 19, 2011, 09:20:55 am
thanks for the replys  ;D