[Derek]

Phil

It is short article that was cut out of a local paper by my dearly beloved...as it is a cutting I have no knowledge as to which paper she got it from.

If you will let me have your fax number I can fax it through to you

Regards
Derek

[easi-kleen]

thanks derek

01622 755952

phil

[Derek]

Its on its way....fingers crossed

Derek

[Len Gribble]

Keith

Aren’t we replying to a newbie and replying from our experience/knowledge?

I was looking at the long term IICR covers other areas of the cleaning spectrum, not just one! Today he wants to be a cc tomorrow wants to do ff, how are we to know?

Don’t know about the ‘old boys club’ the ones I have contacted have been more than helpful remember I’m not a member.  I understand you cynicism but at the end of the day they are also running there own business plus being directors of the NCCA what a juggling act!

Ian

I’m into nostalgia like emergency ward 10, it Casualty I have my doubts.

Len

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi Andy

A lot of people get into carpet cleaning - some succeed and some fail.

There are two fundamental points I'd make:

You've clearly taken some time to help yourself by going through the the old posts looking for valuable information before asking your question. As they say, success is where hard work meets opportunity and I applaud you for taking the time to look into it in such detail.

Secondly, you actually have a plan and if you stick to it you will have a better chance than most of making it work. However, bear in mind that it is hard work and it is likely to take some time to establish a reasonable living!

Don't get too sidetracked by the different training courses available. The important thing is that you're prepared to invest in it in the first place. Personally, I don't think a single course is enough, and, if you're committed to offering a professional range of services, you're likely to have to do several anyway. All the courses mentioned are good and will give you a good start.

Good luck with it.

Mike Boxall

[HolmansUKLTD]

Hi Andy

Give me a call in the new year when you start, i work the CR area and i live in Morden so not too far away. If you need any help deciding what to do im a member of the NCCA and used to work for Prochem so i can give you am informed view, and perhaps you could come out and push a vaccuume around for a day

Regards

Nick

[Ken Wainwright]

Thanks for the New Business Link about insurance Doug. I noted that exemption for small family businesses is only in the discussion stage, so for now at least, you still require Employers Liability as an employer in any way.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[paul_smith]

I did the NCCA course recently and then joined,great course
and 1 week after joining got a job from their web site.
Paul

[Keith_Robertson]

Hi Len,

I am glad I re-joined the NCCA.   I agree with you that it is a difficult task to run a successful business and take on onerous duties.   Am I cynical?  Possibly I am, although, I tend to think I suffer from realism rather than cynicism. 

I think I originally viewed the IICRC with some suspicion even though I think it was around 1990 that I attended my 1st course.   Finally they set up an UK office this year and I have completely changed my view.   I have now attended  7 IICRC courses and my staff are also going through them one by one.

Not only do they help to expand your horizons but they can be used to reposture your business.

We are all encouraged these days to sell by imparting knowledge to our customers.   What better way is there but to use the knowledge from the courses to help your clients.

Regards,

Keith

[Mike_Boxall]

something tells me Andy wished he'd never asked.....

Are you still with us Andy?

[Len Gribble]

Mike

I hope he is and if he would like to send me a pm a.s.a.p I have a job Friday 2pm in Mitcham a stones throw from Croydon!

Sorry Nick!

Len

[ad1664]

I'm still here gents . It's been great to get all the feedback over the last few weeks.

Did the NCCA 2 day course at the end of November - very interesting & a great insight into the business.

I'm just in the process of setting up, I only finished my 9 to 5 job last Friday so I've now got the time I need to get all the plans into action.

The car is now up for sale to pay for the van & equipment, so with any luck I'll be ready to start working in January - just when people have spent all their hard earned over Christmas & don't have clean carpets on the top of their priority list!

Len - thanks for the nod on the Mitcham job but sadly it's about 3-4 weeks to early for me, I'll need to get some more practice on friends and relatives carpets once the equipment has arrived before I unleash myself on an unsuspecting public.

Andy.

[mark_roberts]

Not the best time of the year to start.

If I where you heres what Id do

Go out with a friendly cleaner for a few days to see if cleaning is for you.  You'd be a fool to start a business with out doing research. 

Access through market research if there is enough demand and quality housing in your area to sustain another business.

Do what Mike suggested regarding the flyers.  Pass the work you get from these onto the friendly cleaner or book four weeks in advance.

If the above is all positive then go on the training course.  Ive been on prochem and the NCCA.  prochem is more practical and they push their products.  Ncca is more theory based BUT NEEDS TO BECOME MORE PRACTICAL.  (take note NCCA Directors).  I would take the Prochem course to get you started and then go NCCA a few months down the road.  Being an NCCA member will get you work indirectly ie. people perseive (sp) you as more professional.  I've proved this so dont argue.

Buy your equipment.  Buy secondhand as you can buy more for less and save for marketing.  But dont buy tired looking crap.  Remember your in the cleaning business so be clean.  Dont buy starter packages as you'll never use most of the chemicals.

Get insured.  Get professional business cards etc.  Not DIY ones on your PC.

Start marketing.  This will be your success or downfall.  Learn marketing from these boards and good books.  Marketing is telling so go out and knock doors.  If you havent got 'the balls' to knock doors then being in business is not for you.

Make plans and keep to them ie. send out 50 letters a week, ring customers after the job, ask for referrals, delivery 1000 flyers etc.

Generally its all common sense.  Look at a really professional service business that you know ie. plumber, gardener etc.  Identify whats make them professional in their customers eyes.  Identily an unprofessional and compare the differences.  Try and see how your customer sees you and how you can always improve your service.

Here endeth todays sermon.

Mark

PS. why do you want to become a carpet cleaner?

[Len Gribble]

Andy

Sorry I was not passing on the job what I meant you could come out with me! That’s why is said sorry Nick.

Len

[HolmansUKLTD]

Have you started yet Andy?

Give me a call if you need any help or want to come out for some work expirence

0800 977 5251
 
Nick