Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: red on December 09, 2013, 12:19:29 pm
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hello
Heres my dilemma,in the early 90's i did some carpet cleaning with a prochem steameasy,i worked for a short time
in a friends business, while i was between jobs.Now at 58 ive lost my job, and the prospect of getting another is daunting,what with age discrimation and the number of people out of work.its made me ponder on carpet cleaning
if i succeed or fail is down to me! From what ive read machines have moved on a lot since steameasy, i remember them being
very solid and good at what they did, but how do they compare to newer models? what is a good
workhorse nowadays? Another dilemma is how physically demanding is the work,im naturally slowing down and my back is not what it was, am i setting myself up to fail? ive thought too of oven cleaning, it seems less physically demanding, but the grease....... any thoughts most welcome.
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Bet they'd want a fair bit to come here for the day to clean...........why do they bother??
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Red
I am 55 mate and still going strong! Mind you ive been in the business for nearly 24 years and I dont see myself retireing anytime soon, I think I am quite fit for my age and can give some of these younger carpet cleaners a run for there money !
Machins have come on a long way since you were a carpet cleaner! I remember the days when you had a single vac motor and 50 psi , Chemicals have come along leaps and bounds also but if you have a bad back mate then maybe carpet cleaning isnt for you , saying that I have my cooker cleaned on a yearly bassis from a guy who runs a cookaborough franchise, he gets the thing looking like brand new every time but he is on his knees nearly three hours for £60
Not my cup of tea ! Lol
Stuart
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I'm only 46 :) and have done oven cleaning in the past, i personally found it knackering and dirty work, also compared to carpet cleaning not as profitable but more in demand. Whilst carpet cleaning is physical there are plenty in the industry who are older than you. Machine and chemical wise although i was not in the industry when you were last carpet cleaning i should imagine that the new machines and chemicals are miles better. I used to suffer quite a bit from bad backs but have found that this joining the industry three years ago i hardly ever suffer any more. As for machines and there is a fair selection out there maybe go one of the lighter ones or the other option would be to get one of the new high powered portables and have it van mounted, unless your really rich and can afford a truck mount. Best thing you can do at the moment is get booked on a training course, NCCA if possible if not one of the manufactures courses which are usually around £85 and quite often they will refund the cost of the course if you buy a machine off them. The other thing you could do is find someone who is outside of your catchment area and therefore not likely to be a threat to you and likewise will not see you as competition and ask if you can spend a day or so with them to see if you like it are capable of it still ;D Cleansmart, Ashbys, Altech, Prochem, Solutions all do training courses.
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Although age is a consideration.
You need to consider how much you need to live on
Can I achieve this will the government help Tax Credits, Start up Grants etc
How much do I have for advertising Will it find me enough customers to make a profit.
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many thanks for the replies, its made things a lot clearer, i have to listen to my body
first! i will hire a cleaner and do mine and the families carpets to see how i hold up.
i imagine i will be busy!
thanks again
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Hi Red
I too am 55 and working 6 days a week so keeping fairly fit.
I think the hardest thing for you will be building the business, it takes a lot of effort and drive which most of us lose as we get older, I know I wouldn't want to start now.
Good luck if you do, always a good idea to get a day out with a busy CC and see things in practice.
Cheers
Doug
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doug
thats a great point, do have the drive to set a business up? age has
certainly changed my views on many things in life!
thanks
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hi I am 61, been at for 22years, its very hard on the back, I have instaled a ramp in the van, that helps, also long hoses for upstairs, good luck
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Age is only a number ;)... Now well past my sell-by-date I still work but on a part time basis, you are a young man in comparison
Machines, chemicals have come on a long way since your last foray into carpet cleaning.... I always say that I am a lazy cleaner...that doesn't mean I don't do the job properly but I believe that if you take advantage of the equipment, chemicals and proper procedures you can make life an awful lot easier for yourself
As Richard has said....your first port of call is a training course, this will put things into true perspective.
Good luck
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Take the age out of the equation 58 is not old and would just be an excuse.
The question is do you have the mental fitness to take on the challenge of building a carpet cleaning business plus the working capital required to fall back on while you grow.
Its tough out there for a new start good luck with it.
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<snip>
Its tough out there for a new start good luck with it.
Yes it is...
Breaking into a well established industry (trade) and cutting yourself a slice of the action is possible, but not easy! Make sure you write a realistic business plan - and do your research well before committing time and money! I suggest the days of cheap start-ups, and still making a living (from day 1), are long gone.
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If I had to do it all again I would have listened at school and then become a politician job for life!
Shaun
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are you physically fit? do you have the funds in place to sustain you for a year or a partner that earns a decent wage?
How you answer the above is going to determine if this is for you.
Also, whats the competition like in your area? (this is less important to be honest)
Its a hard business to build despite what a lot of people think, and can be physically demanding.
I would not fancy setting up this business up from scratch today. There's a lot of competition, more carpet cleaners, more window cleaners and general cleaning companies are offering the service. << albeit they do a crap job 95% of the time ;D.
My advice would be to go out with a carpet cleaner in another area to see whats involved.
Here, take a look at pressure washing! easier/cheaper set up, more money, probably a lot less physical too.
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Dare I say this, but there are alternatives to HWE that are less physically demanding, require less capital outlay and give you advantages over the soakers and suckers.
You might consider researching those avenues as well.
Good luck.
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Just read through the posts and am dismayed by some of the negativeaty from people!!!
If you want to do it and have determination and a good work ethic and practice you will be fine.
If we did not have new start up businesses every year in every profession we would not have any tradesmen left a few years down the line.
Also please bare in mind that some people are scared of competitors and competition, so go for it (as long as you do not live round the corner from me) ;D
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Dare I say this, but there are alternatives to HWE that are less physically demanding, require less capital outlay and give you advantages over the soakers and suckers.
You might consider researching those avenues as well.
Good luck.
Of course you dare Seymour... ;D ;D
The future is less wet..... ;D
LM cleaning is cheaper to set up, cheaper to run, and has a huge marketing advantage over the room flooders...
;D
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Low moisture cleaning also cleans better and is recommended by carpet manufacturers I'm saving up for my first scrubber.
Shaun ;D
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:P :P
;D ;D ;D
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Dare I say this, but there are alternatives to HWE that are less physically demanding, require less capital outlay and give you advantages over the soakers and suckers.
You might consider researching those avenues as well.
Good luck.
Of course you dare Seymour... ;D ;D
The future is less wet..... ;D
LM cleaning is cheaper to set up, cheaper to run, and has a huge marketing advantage over the room flooders...
;D
I agree with most of it but to say its less physical demanding is I believe wrong, the hardest part of my job is lifting the rotary out of the van or getting it upstairs, they weigh a ton, and how do you get it over the door threshold? The amount of times I've nearly cracked the upvc door sill trying to pull the rotary over it.
With HWE the heaviest thing I lift is my wallet
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I wish you well in finding something that suites you in your work, and if it is in this industry - well good luck to you, but can I just comment on the age thing.
During one of my mountaineering trips a few years ago when I was 61 years (am now 67 years) a couple of my mates workmates came along. They were in their late 30s/early 40's. They struggled to keep up although they were obviously fit guys. Apparently back at work they spoke about the experience and mentioned myself, adding that it just shows that 'age is just a number'.
Well they may have thought that, but what they didn't realise was that I was working harder than them on the climbs. Because I had been doing it for so long I was able to work harder than them.
The problem with getting older is when you stop doing something on regular basis - it is very difficult to impossible to just pick up the pieces to where you were, 'before' you stopped. This is due to normal physiological changes. These changes can be dramatically held off/slowed down, as long as you keep going, but stop for some considerable time and they manifest quickly.
The big danger of starting a new physical job/regime in later years is that of injury. The muscles are more dehydrated, they don't resist strain anymore, and don't like doing more than they have been used to.
I used to think that I wouldn't be able to continue in this business after the age of 45, however here I am more than 20 years past that and still going strong (the TM has a lot to do that, I think) but like I said, it is because I have been doing this continuously for 34 years.
Of course you will only know if you give it a go.
Dave.
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The first few years you will not have enough work to get knackered.
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The first few years you want have enough work to get knackered.
WOW I wish i could predict the future like that. ::)roll
Who is to say what work or contracts you will get.
Just more negativity .
I have started three different businesses from scratch this being the latest one and have plenty of work in the firstfew months of trading( the other ventures were sold on with a healthy profit).
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Well there yea go.....why ask our advice? you obviously are a captain of industry, success awaits you with open arms :)
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Hi Guys
I think there has been some really good advice on this thread.
Merry Xmas
Doug
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hello
Heres my dilemma,in the early 90's i did some carpet cleaning with a prochem steameasy,i worked for a short time
in a friends business, while i was between jobs.Now at 58 ive lost my job, and the prospect of getting another is daunting,what with age discrimation and the number of people out of work.its made me ponder on carpet cleaning
if i succeed or fail is down to me! From what ive read machines have moved on a lot since steameasy, i remember them being
very solid and good at what they did, but how do they compare to newer models? what is a good
workhorse nowadays? Another dilemma is how physically demanding is the work,im naturally slowing down and my back is not what it was, am i setting myself up to fail? ive thought too of oven cleaning, it seems less physically demanding, but the grease....... any thoughts most welcome.
Hi Red
Get in to window cleaning game, specially the water fed pole system, you don’t have work so hard to earn good money.
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Hi positive attitude, knowledge a big smile, offer true value, be consistent, always on time to appointments, a consistent marketing approach, good (does not have to be expensive equipment) a ninja 8) you cant go wrong ;D a reliable van, a decent website not full of nonsense ::)roll offer a service or services you are confident with and go for it ;)
I am 64 I have never looked back, every day is a new day with lots of challenges and exiting my glass is always half full not half empty a good living can still be made 8)
I do carpets, upholstery, pre-tenancy cleans, commercial, retail, hospitality, schools, surgeries ect ect. it just keeps building. I was made redundant 5 years ago aged 59 and never regretted starting my cleaning business.
By the way I go on holiday for 3 weeks twice a year and couldn't do that befor 8)
Remember custies love us older people we talk straight, reliable, honest and the ladies feel safer ;D
Just get the training and go for it ;)
Reg
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Reg according to your web site you have 26 years experience ,
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I notice that with some new starts Ian. They spring up with 20 years under their belt already.
I guess they have been in the contract cleaning business had a few goes on a hwe and so say that.
I hope customers look for 'Established' and not the 'Experience'
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I notice that with some new starts Ian. They spring up with 20 years under their belt already.
I guess they have been in the contract cleaning business had a few goes on a hwe and so say that.
I hope customers look for 'Established' and not the 'Experience'
The ones that say they are local in their marketing but in fact live in another town 30 plus miles away are rather annoying.
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Hi positive attitude, knowledge a big smile, offer true value, be consistent, always on time to appointments, a consistent marketing approach, good (does not have to be expensive equipment) a ninja 8) you cant go wrong ;D a reliable van, a decent website not full of nonsense ::)roll offer a service or services you are confident with and go for it ;)
I am 64 I have never looked back, every day is a new day with lots of challenges and exiting my glass is always half full not half empty a good living can still be made 8)
I do carpets, upholstery, pre-tenancy cleans, commercial, retail, hospitality, schools, surgeries ect ect. it just keeps building. I was made redundant 5 years ago aged 59 and never regretted starting my cleaning business.
By the way I go on holiday for 3 weeks twice a year and couldn't do that befor 8)
Remember custies love us older people we talk straight, reliable, honest and the ladies feel safer ;D
Just get the training and go for it ;)
Reg
That's good Reg but not all people in their late 50s are the same. Its a hard enough business for a young person never mind someone with more advanced years. Just saying.
I think big Red has gone off the idea anyway, he's not replied since the 9th of December...
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Ian just to let you know I have been in the cleaning industry for over 26 years in various management rolls within the industrial and commercial sector;s. 8) I am now semi retired with a private pension. I dont just do carpets, upholstery but some consultancy work as well as some specialist industrial work. I' will probably work till 70 or dead which ever comes 1st. in the mean time I will keep getting happy customers and going on nice holidays ;D
If I can help any new starts with advice or any body for that matter I will always be happy to do so ;) I for one find carpet cleaning a pleasure keeps me fit, enjoy meeting and chatting with my customers and never leave a job unless I am 100% happy with the work and results and effort taken.
Reg
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Reg - well done to you mate. You have just about the worst website I have ever seen and yet you're rolling in it!
Also, I notice you clean 'LOUNGE SUIT'S' (sic). Have you never thought about expanding into dinner jackets? You might be missing a trick there.
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Hmm want be as asking him for tips :o
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heritagecleaning
after looking at both your site and regs
I trust his as he has
1 a land line no
2 a mobile no
3 a email address
4 I know his name all this is the first thing and last you see on his page
5 it isnt a standard wordpress template
6 he has his own before and after shots
7 he comes up twice on the front page of Google you come up once halfway down
for me Reg aint doing a bad job ,
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1. Matter of opinion - 0800 has its benefits too
2. Some say this looks unprofessional
3. My email address is on every page
4. Again, a matter of opinion - it depends on the style of site you're going for
5. Customer won't know or care.
6. See 5
7. Agreed.
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Neil. Your a gentleman and a scholar Sir and yes my website according to my clients is open not full of surprises, straight to the point and give them just the info they need.
Heritage- well lets not delve in the past ???? 8)
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Heritage
This one tip will make you over £3000 easy per year extra contact David 01209 ****
0797*****
0800 *****
heritagecleaning@gmail.com
Try It and a photo of you , always give them multiple ways of contacting you
ps use your own numbers ;D
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Reg, if you are happy with your site and your statistics back you up, then great.
From a copywriting point of view, you are committing a cardinal sin with the text layout.
Using centred text makes it really hard to read as the eye has to cross the full width of the page. Eye tracking tests have shown that this leads to eye fatigue pretty quickly.
It's no coincidence that newspapers (with 200 years of experience) use left or mostly justified text in narrow columns, which makes readership far easier.
Another no no is white text on a black background. Some trendy web designers (who've never written a successful sales letter) seem to think this is "cool", when in reality, it vastly reduces readership.
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Hi Gary- point taken during the next few days I will be working on some changes, doing draught layouts at the moment which does have left to right wording and black on white background. thank you for your positive and constructive comments.
Reg
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Garry speaks great sense get a friend to read it with no holds bar approach.
Shaun
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If I had to do it all again I would have listened at school and then become a politician job for life!
Shaun
Not always I am stearing defeat in the face in May
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Did you really need a year to come up with that reply Ian? ;D
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I was scrolling and old post and saw shaun reckoned it was a job for life. It might be higher up the scale in Henley or sheffield but us lower echelons fight for survival every 4 years and often loose due to no fault of own.
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If you have a safe seat and an appealing personality (if you know what I mean) then you do have a job for life George Galloway moves around from safe seat to safe seat and does rather well for himself.
Shaun