Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Chris R on June 27, 2006, 10:56:30 pm
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Following on from the pricing thread about upholstery cleaning, it can be sometimes overlooked that someone that charges £90 to clean a suite, and takes 2 hours to complete the job, ( £45 per hour) is earning more per hour than someone who charges £150, but takes 4 hours ( £37.50 per hour).
Cheers
Chris
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Depends on how dirty it is, how many cushions, how many cups of tea, how far from van whether TM user or porti you still have to carry the stuff in.
Shaun
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Your splitting hairs Shaune.
I think Chris means when your all kitted up and ready to go at it.
Me I take 2 to 21/2 hours tops any longer and I'm out of pocket.
I can not for the life of me find enough fabric on a suite to make the job last 4 hours like some do.
Wait for it here comes the replies :o
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Hi shaun,
I find the T/m no quicker than a porty for cleaning upholstery.
Most suites take me between 2.5hrs and 3.hrs.
Just go for your average.
Cheers
chris
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Hello Uncle Dave ;D
I was surprised how fast you can move ( for an old un ) ;)
all the best
Chris
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You want to see Gordon he's 10 yrs old than me and he don't hang around.
Your to bussy fanning around tweeking the numptys on your new machine than getting on with the job in hand
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Takes me two and half hours with vacuuming, i think this is about average time.
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From knocking on the customers door to putting machine back in the van takes 4 hours. Approx. 3 - 3.5 hrs to clean depending how dirty.
Those who take 1 hour or 1.5 hour to clean a 3 pc suite are either cowboys or have a magic wand!
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try a cfr hand tool , or a dri master , they will knock off half an hour of your time,
i allow 3hrs for 3 pc
geoff
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3 to 4 hours. This is done properly with no fannying about. The results come with lots of effort and unfortunately this is how long it takes. Im not alone, when I was in a network no-one could do it much quicker.
Results are what count (and subsequent referrals ;D).
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I use a drimaster hand tool defienantly completes the job quicker and the suite dries quicker as well :P
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OK I'll reply ::)
28 yrs in the business and you don't know what a dri-master or CFR tool can do in terms of drying times, the evidence is here ,there, and every where for all too see.
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All depends on a few things ;D
How techs feeling
do back and sides need cleaning
how much you goner earn
is customer drop dead and flirty with bingo top on, showing her navel :o
the list is endless
Conrad
ps 2.5 - 3.0 hours using t/m and hi-dry handtool, from getting out of van and back in
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CONTRACT CLEANING SERVICE BLOKE u are such a happy , bubble chappie arent u 8)(not!)
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Then there is our Ken who has an hour at the kitchen sink with his own brand of marketing! So when Ken say's it takes him 4hrs he only really means 3
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i allow half hour per seat, and charge £20 per seat, so i end up making £40 a hour on suites
and will never ever discount on suites becuase i hate doing them, to much like hard work for me
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Ive been dreading the suite i had today, 3 seater, 2 seater, 2 arm chairs and a foot poof took me a little over 4 hours with seting up and packing away, a quick fAg break no cups of tea I was flying sweat peeing off me, I thought that was a good time
James
Ps thats with pre-spraying - agittating, pre-spaying detergent aggitation then fresh water rinse
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Contract cleaning service 1994
i have noted that you take 3 to 3half hrs to clean 3pc, a number of questions for you,
is this the time it takes you personaly, or is this the time it takes one of you 6 employees, or even the 6 employees that length of time? 4hrs from arriving to leaving.!!!
You say "from unloading machine " do you only use portables? perhaps a t/m may cut your time down if indeed you are so busy!!
Have you heard of the quick drying tools on the market today,? they may help you if you invest in some
in your time on the job!!
and finaly, out of curiosity only mind!!! because of previous posts.
Do you aggitate your presprays when cleaning suites? ;)
Geoff
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10 years in the business nearly always 2 hours tops, any longer and u need better kit ;)
just taking yer time doesn't equall a better job, just a slower one ;D
regards
steve
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I dont agree, you rush anything and it wont be done as well!
Machine has nothing to do with it, when there is crap on the arms, headrest, cushions etc I make sure I can get it all out no matter how long it takes.
How can anyone just say right thats 2 hours, all suites are different, some are bigger, some have more cushions, some are much more soiled etc etc.
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Phil,
your right the machine has little to do with it, but if you know your chemicals and materials, you use a lot less elbow grease and more effective use of your time.
I was like a lot who would spend hours going over a suite until it was perfect, but experience has taught me, like any trade, that if you have the right tool for the job so to speak then it can be done in half the time!
Also many spend time setting up big machines or the tm when sometimes a smaller machine will do on upholstery.
If you get the prep right then i personally find 2 hours is enough 8)
How many customers want you skulking around the lounge for 4 hours+, most of mine ask what time i'll be finished and are happy with the two hour job, why stretch it out??????????????
regards
steve
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Average 1.5-2 hours. Odd one 3.5 hours if badly soiled. Used to take up to 4 with a portable. Truckmount has speeded things up. Chris, surprised the truckmount hasn't made a difference, you can't be using it to its full capabilities.
You only need to pre-spray the soiled areas, usually the arms back cushions. The sides back etc very rarely need more than a couple of passes with the hand tool unless the dogs been sqeezing past it.
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I would REALLY like to be able clean suites quicker. >:(
At the moment they take me anything from 2.5hrs to 3.5hrs.
I haven’t seen much difference in time when using the T/m compared to the porty, but the T/M is still new to me.
With the porty I can switch it on and off by the power plug inside the house, with the T/m I have to go outside ( change shoes etc).
Perhaps if I give a detailed description of how I would clean the average suite, then you can all point out my faults, say how you would do it better, and generally make me out to be a fool ! :o
If using the porty the first thing I do is fill it with water and put the heater on.
Then I move any ornaments etc out of (my) arms way, ;) and clear a work area in front of the suite.
Then I put a THICK plastic sheet down on the floor and cover this with some THICK dust sheets.
Next I inspect the suite for damage, fading, stains, wear and tear and point things out to the custy.
I don’t pre vac, never have done in 20 yrs.
I pre spray all of the base cushions first, using an orion 3 litre pump up sprayer, with an 01 tip, and solution nr 2 ( micro splitter) mixed at 10-1.
I scrub the pre spray in with a soft brush.
I rinse the cushions out, with either plain water or craftex low ph fibre care powder in the tank.
I use a CFR hand tool. fitted with an 02 jet, and the 5 inch head.
In most cases I will then re-apply pre spray, scrub, and extract for a second time.
I then set the cushions up, on a clean sheet, with the turbo dryer blowing on them.
If the back cushions are loose I would clean them next, or go straight onto the frame of the settee.
On all of the heavily soiled areas I would pre spray, scrub, and extract TWICE ( at least).
Move the turbo dryer onto the settee frame and then clean the armchairs.
I have tried many different pre sprays over the years, and find that micro splitters work best.
I would also point out that I clean LOADS of suites at £100 each.
I don’t advertise AT ALL.
My work comes from pre custys and recommendations.
SO WHAT DO YOU DO DIFFERENT ?
How can I be quicker, but still get good results?
Cheers
Chris
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pre-vac ;D
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Tried it, just takes longer to complete the job :o ;)
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the clean becomes quicker if you pre vac
Trust me
try it if you hav never pre vacced in 20 yrs what have you got to lose ::)
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Hi Chris from what I can see you are doing fine, may be you need to do it all QUICKER
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I advise customer to clear as much as possible from the room before I arrive. This saves time moving ornaments etc. After examining the suite I lay down my plastic sheets. I then remove the cushions from a chair and place the chair frame onto the sheet ready to clean. If nescessary I carry out my tests on this chair in an inconspicious area, but usually its like many I have cleaned before so don't bother. After a few dry passes with the handtool (pre-vac) I then pre-spray the "grease" areas, arm fronts etc with either Craftex degreaser or Microsplit. Agitate slightly with a soft brush then extract the frame, using a suitable detergent for the fabric being cleaned. Usually only need one or two passes with the handtool, A standard PMF 4 inch with bypass. I then place the chair to one side and proceed to clean the cushions. I do this whilst sitting on the sofa with the cushions on the floor. When clean I put all the cushions onto the previously cleaned chair, big pile!
I then proceed to clean the frame of the other chair and sofa as before. I then start standing the cushions back on their respective bases, checking for any missed bits as I go. They are stacked pyramid fashion to enable them to dry. If I am doing other work in the house I will put an airmover on them if not I just leave them as they are.
I have been doing it this way now for over tens years and get many repeat customers. Do very little advertising now have even dropped YP.
I have even cleaned smoke damaged suites where other contractors have either written them off or make a right pigs ear of the clean. One franchise even put the wet cushions onto the fire damaged carpet to dry.
Honestly think you can fanny about too much with fabrics when its not necessary. I must reiterate that I target my market and most of my customers are middle class, a lot of them retired and very rarely get any really bad carpets or suites.
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Tut tut John sitting on sofa while cleaning cushions, next you'll be watching the tele and suppin tea?
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Used to drink tea on every job when I first started doing this. Had that much caffiene in my system couldn't sleep for months. Now settle for a glass of water, quicker as well :)
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Funny you should mention the telly Dave, I often wish customers would turn on the TV when I clean suites, it just nice to look up somtimes and watch it.
Looking at a sofa & chairs for 3-1/2 hours can be a bit dull.
Phil
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Nice to hear your off the tea John. But for goodnes sake get yourself a waist high table for cleaning cushions its better on your back. You'll live to regret all that bending. When you reach my age you'll look like a sprout picker with all that bending..
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Hi Chris from what I can see you are doing fine, may be you need to do it all QUICKER
Funny you should say that Dave, according to my computer records, my average time to clean a suite 5 years ago, was 2hrs to 2.5 hrs .
i think I day dream to much on this job ::), golden beaches, top lass babes, you know the sort of thing. ;)
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Phil it must be your cleaning solutions that make them look dull.
Mine suites are bright and clean.
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Chris like me, your getting old :'(
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I often wish customers would turn on the TV when I clean suites, it just nice to look up somtimes and watch it.
Phil
Phil, if its daytime TV ( trish or whatever) i turn the bloody thing off >:(
Only so much crap you can watch before going mad !
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Actually Dave, over the last week i have cleaned 3 suites. On each occasion the customer has asked me if i have been watching the world cup. Saying yes prompts the customer to put the TV on. On Monday whilst cleaning a suite i looked up to glance as i heard the crowd giving it some. Next thing i knew the machine went off. Bloody hell that glance at the TV lasted about 20 minutes and because the water constantly flows through the hand tool and i didnt close the valve the machine ran out of water.
Richie.
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Rich only you could do that and get away with it
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Good job i carry a hose pipe on the van. in saying that the van has got two (2) 60 gallon fresh water tanks on it.
Richie.
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I then start standing the cushions back on their respective bases,
John,
the only thing that I can see wrong with that is the possibility of getting a dye stain from the ( brown) base of the suite onto the damp cushions.
I put the turbo dryer onto the frames ( base) to get it dry before stacking the cushions on it.
thanks
Chris
ps
got me ramp yet mate?
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I use polythene if there is any chance of dye transfer.
Used a table for a while but found this was hurting my back more. Do it sitting down and bending over now and have no problems.
Sorry Chris still no ramps, they have promised me some this week. It is only a sideline for them and they have been really busy with there core work.
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I have seen me do small tapestry cottage suites in about an hour but others take up to 3.5 hours (and a lot of sweat!!) 5 hours is excessive, even if you are charging £150 for the pleasure, its not a good return
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Chris
You dont need a plastic sheet and a cloth sheet on top of it esp with a CFR tool. Just use the cloth sheet. Try a handheld sprayer for your prespray. Most suites only need 1.5l of pre-spray.
Change your prespray. The citrus based are good such as chemspec HDuty but smells a bit. Most areas will only need 1-2 applications tops with only the contact areas needing agitation. Try a detergent rinse for upholstery in the tank.
Clean the cushions first and blowdry. Then the 3 seater following by the two chairs, moving the fan as you go.
With the TM I usually average 2 hours and I think it is quicker than the portable.
Mark
PS. Take the tip off the CFR tool and spray into the vac hose until the solution is hot and then start to clean otherwise the solution never gets really hot and hot does make a difference where its possible to use heat even on draylon.
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i agree with john kelly about the plastic sheet which is what i use now can never be too careful especially when the carpets are not being done at the same time. the customer s seem to like the fact that you are watching out for their stuff as well