[carl1979]

can anyone help me im thinking of starting a carpet cleaning business where is the best carpet and upholstery cleaning schools and whats the best machines to use?

[Ken Wainwright]

www.ncca.co.uk are perhaps the nations leading trainers.

It would be advantageous to spend a day with a friendly (not too local) carpet cleaner before training  to get an idea of what it's all about.

As for machines, train first, look at your marketplace with the technical knowledge now gained and then investigate serious options. In the meantime, either browse through past topics or use the search facility at the top of the page.

Don't forget to retain some of your budget for set up costs and marketing.

Safe and happy cleaning
The Ken

[Robert Watson]

Hi Carl
Hope your going to think real hard and work even harder.
Half arsed efforts will just bring you grief.
Good luck.
Rab

[derek west]

Hi carl
fill in your profile so we know who and where you are, you'll get a few more replies if you do.

[carl1979]

Hi carl
fill in your profile so we know who and where you are, you'll get a few more replies if you do.

I have filled in my location thanks for the advice guys this is something i have thought hard and long about going to try get a bit of experience before starting out any help or guidance would be most greatful

[derek west]

whats your total budget for set up? not just for kit, i mean your total spend for the business
that way the guys on here can throw some good ideas for you to mull over.

like someones all ready said,  a good course is invaluable not just for knowing what your doing but also gives you a chance to chat with others and see what your letting yourself in for.

be prepared to live eat and breath carpet cleaning.

[richy27]

Carl welcome

first stage would be to do a traning course as others have said ncca would be a reasonably non sales orrientated course , some not all of the manufacturers training courses will be heavily sales driven ( cant blame them)

The main thing to do is work out a budget on what you can spend on equipment leving yourself adequate funds for working capital and to live on.

Its ery easy t get bogged down and simply think about equipment too much

A simple 2 vac machine with 50 ft of hoses will be sufficient with all the other chemicals and bits and pieces you need your not going to have much change from 3k  their is he possiblity a second hand machine but breakdowns can cripple a new business. Never dismiss the idea of leasing a machine for between 100-150 per month for 3 years you could get a decent set up.


Cant stress enough the fact that marketting is the key  and building up your own unique way of bringing your business to potential customers try not to follow the crowd take all the advice availble and then direct it in your own way.

the way you present yourself is also very important as first impressions count alot when you are entering someone elses home or place of work

good luck with it all

Rich
 

[Joe H]

Try and get to the CARPEX exhibition at Coventry RICOH football stadium on Thursday/Friday 18th/19th March.
Its free and you will find quite a few carpet cleaning suppliers plus ancillary bits on show.
You get into chats with traders, NCCA will be there exhibiting as well.

If you want to go I suggest let it be known on here and maybe someone else from South Wales would team up and share travel costs.

[MAX Carpets]

I would not recommend starting at the moment..............

[Simon Gerrard]

It's not a good time to be starting right now, but it is a good time to be laying the groundwork for your future business. Now is the time to do some market research and some research into your likely competitors and what level of service they offer etc. Then, if you decide there's room in the market for you and you have the wherewithal to compete then the next step is to do the training and after that choose a machine and then go out and do some jobs for your friends and relatives so you can hone your skills before going out to do live jobs.
But if you're not prepared to do all of the above.....don't give up your day jobs and forget all about carpet cleaning.

Simon

[carl1979]

thanks 4 the info guys i will be attending the carpex show in coventry i use to valet 4 honda in bristol doing mostly used cars scrubbing carpets on pricework and they had to be showroom condition b4 i would get paid i am a hardworker i will talk to ncca about training when i get up there got a bed and breakfast booked is anyone else on here going? i wont b starting up just now as u say its a bad time but i will be doing the preperation 4 my business prochem are the best machines to use i been told what are anyone elses thoughts on their machines?

[southern counties]

Now is a good time to do all the setup stuff and to look for a genuine bargain. This is a great time to be starting something new- as lots of people tend to think its not a good time, los of people are no doubt leaving the industry.. which is leaving more gaps in the market for new comanies to come in and fill.

Get a site now if you haven't already and have a look at sites like SEO CHAT and SEO ROUNDTABLE for good info on promoting your site.

 

Dave

[carl1979]

I have been to my local tools hire shop and their monly machine is the rug doctor is that a good machine?

[richy27]

oh dear

[Joe H]

Rug Doctor a good machine? errrr...... let me think about it........ NO

[Jason Ryan]

Are you working at the moment?? If not try and get a part time job while you get your business 'prepared' and save up for equipment, materials and most importanly IMO marketing (you can be the best in your trade but if no one knows of you they wont use you).

As someone said a website is a must these days, a tidy size van (though not new - save it for equipment), and id buy a new machine not second hand but DEFINATLY NOT A RUG DOCTOR and defo get some training. Do a search on here, everything is coverd.

If your currently unemployd then the job centre will give you (a very small) grant - better than nothing though and see what else they can do to help. Another site id say to look at is UKBF (Bussiness froum), pleanty of knowlage there for general business advice and this great forum for anything carpet cleaning related.

Good Luck

J

P.S. oh, dont think succsess will happen over night - it wont, build for the long term not a fast buck!