[Craig 72]

Morning all.Just looking for a little advice.I'm a window cleaner who is always on the look out to branch off into different things and over the past few months I've had a fair few custies ask me if I know anyone who does carpet cleaning and settee etc cleaning.Got me to thinking if it might be worthwhile going down that avenue myself as a sideline.I've seen a 2 day carpet cleaning course for £195 and a 1 day upholstery cleaning course for £95.Does that sound reasonable and about the right amount of training?Don't forget I wouldn't be doing this full time,if I could get a job or two a month at the start I would consider it a worthwhile endeavour.Thanks.

[james roffey]

Training is a start and the right way to go but the investment you will need to make it worthwhile and get good results that will lead to further work is tougher.
The overheads etc are probably more than you would expect but it all depends what sort of carpet cleaner you want to be by the sound of it doing it as a sideline says you are not looking at spending to much, we compete with "with all due respect" slap dash guys who clean a lounge for £15 but do they get repeat work probably not but at that price probably get  a fair amount of work.
A lot of guys do that but the majority on here are well trained full timeprofessionals who charge accordingly and that means doing a very good job and getting good results repeat work and customer loyalty.
I think that you will not get much high end work by doing it on the very cheap or be able to charge a decent rate people will see your cheap setup and want a cheap price, but also sure some on here will say different :

[Craig 72]

Thanks for the reply James.I'm not neccesarily looking to do things on the cheap but I hear what your saying.If it's not going to work out cost effective to do it part time I will bin the idea.It's really nothing more than that at the moment,an idea based on some customers making enquiries.

[creighton foyle]

craig being a new start up myself i am not really quallified to speak about the practicalities of getting the work but in theory you could make money part time and as long as you have your window cleaning income and do not go into debt for your equipment you could make it work.
 you can spend anything between £2-£5000 on start up and still find there is more you want to buy but as long as you can pull in 3 or 4 jobs a month if you charge right you will have payed for the machine in about a year, any more than 4 jobs a month your starting to be in profit sounds easy does'nt it, ask me in a years time and i'll tell you lol.

if you buy a new machine the training will usually be free, otherwise get a second hand one from fleabay and decide if you want to be a splash and dash or a professinal.

[Joe H]

The 2 day and 1 day training you propose is a good start.
However you can never get enough training.
Maybe you could contact a carpet cleaner out of your area and ask can you work along for a day or two.  Where you from?
I helped out a newbie last week for a day and start this afternoon with another.
Point is dont think 2 + 1 days will be enough - you only have to mess up on one job and you out of pocket a lot ie a carpet or a suite you dont want.
The basic equipment you will need to start anything worthwhile is a 2 vac portable with 135psi. Should get something around £1000. If it has the wand and hoses and perhaps a hand tool you have some gear.
If you relying on window customers do remember if you clean their carpets today you may be fortunate and see them in 12 months time but that is not always so.
You need to generate customers. Recommendations cost nothing except you doing a top job for someone to start talking about you.
Anything else and it will be an expense.