[Dave Preece]

I agree with cleanabilty, 5-10 k upfront is plenty,  i got a start up kit ( machines hose/wand sprayer chems, spotting kit etc) from prochem, via a supplier near me, for about 2 k plus vat, a grand on designing and printing leaterheads and cards, logo's etc (includes 12000 flyers).

The van is the expensive bit of the equations as second hand cars/vans are in demand, well round here anyway, as not many can get credit for new cars so everyones is fighting for the secondhand cars/vans.

Training is a must, but is not very expensive.

I think were better off than resterauntoors, they go out of business after just 18 months on average...

[Simon@arenaclean]

Cost me £6000 18 years ago, god knows what that computes too now. I just added equipment as I could finance it, it takes time but I realised very early on it was not a living to start with and even had a part time job to keep us going. Leasing will help cash flow but be aware of your monthly budget, don't over commit yourself. Yell.com has been rubbish but bloody Yellow Pages which I almost cancelled has done rather well so far

simon

[clinton]

Think it cost me around 6 or 7k years back too.

Guess you need a bit more nowadays there gain the machines seem to have more power and the chemicals a larger choice..

[derek west]

£40,000
derek

[robert meldrum]

In spite of what some are suggesting you can start up in c/c with very little capital and start earning right away

You can buy a decent second hand machine plus chemicals and pay for a month's advertising for under £1000

O K you won't be joining the " rainbow chasers "but if you're prepared to work hard and pitch for lower priced work you should recover you outlay and be in profit in a couple of months.

Some say you can't raise prices if you start low.

That is b******s...................you're not dealing with the same people each week probably won't see them again for a year if you're lucky.

Again you will be told " you can't build a real business charging low prices " Don't believe it ! There are many people in service businesses who've built substantial businesses and lifestyles.

If have limited recources but are prepared to work damned hard for a year or so and always look to raising prices and standards you can be more successfull than others who will always struggle to find enough  customers.

[Joe H]

Good post Robert.

[derek west]

i totally disagree.
theres not enough clients wanting there carpets to be cleaned to pitch cheap. if i charged £1 a carpet" i still don't think my phone would ring off the hook.
companies like tesco's pitch cheap cos everyone has to eat. but theres not many budget wedding dress shops.

just my thoughts robert, not saying your wrong, i just disagree thats all.

derek

[John Kelly]

Richard I left a message on your phone to ring me and I can give you some advice. I'll try again on Monday.
Re Roberts post, there is lower priced work and rediculously priced work. You have to differentiate between the two. In my view it is pointless turning up at a job and doing the work which gives you no profit. You have to be sensible and pitch your prices to enable you to stand on your feet and enable you to weather the quiet periods which we all know come along pretty regularly. I see all spectrums of this business in the customers I deal with. I have local guys charging 15 quid a carpet and another who's minimum charge is £69. The average is probably about £45.
£45 to clean, say a lounge carpet is probably the minimum amount you need to make that job even slightly profitable.
Anyone starting off must understand that it takes years not months to become established in this industry. In the meantime you should be looking at doing anything at the start to earn a crust.

[richiecook74]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your valuable advice. I certainly have a better understanding of what is required.

Hope you dont mind, but, i will definatley be bothering you for in the future!!

Cheers
Richie