[Bernard Hibbs]

I run a domestic cleaning service and have done some extraction cleaning of carpets.  However I have to quote on a large job (4 blocks of flats) which need their carpets cleaned, hence I need some help:

1. What sort of machine shall I buy/rent.  I guess there will be a lot of stair with quite small rooms.

2. Do people expect you to get the carpet back to its original state? I have cleaned some carpets that will always look worn out. 

3. How much shall I charge per metre?  My labour charges are quite low (family business) and from what I've seen the chemicals aren't that expensive. Other companies will be quoting.
Do you charge extra for stains on the carpets?

4. I expect that the carpet will be cheap synthetic stuff, as it is a block of flats. The stuff I have cleaned before took 3-4 hours to dry.  Is that bad?

Anyway - I haven't seen the flats yet but any advice will be much appreciated.  I love the forum and I am glad I found it.

PS - I am a web designer/ web marketer so if any of you need advice on websites please ask.  I will be happy to help.  I reckon about 70% of the companies that offer to help you are cheating you - so watch out!

[Art]

Bernard where are you based

[Chris R]

Bernard,
A job like this will take a long time to do, perhaps 1 or 2 weeks work? Will you be losing money on other jobs while doing this one?

The only way to quote will be to work out the total square metres, then work out a price per sq metre.

If you get the job I would recommend cleaning a small area of carpet first and getting the customer to say that they are happy with the results that you achieve, not all stains will come out. You don’t want to do the job and then have them refuse to pay or ask you to re-clean !

Are the flats occupied? Will people be walking over damp carpets  and so resoiling them before they are even dry?

Access to water and electricity need to be considered, a long walk for water would not be good.



I have quoted on similar ( student flats on campus- 4 buildings), never got the job, wasted ages working out the quote.

Cheers
Chris

[BRSL]

Cleaned a lot of student digs a T/M is essential imo

I always quote by the day for jobs like this not the Sqm, have a good guess how long U think it will take, all depending if flats are occupied or not, then give yourself a slightly high day price, so if you have under quoted all you have to do is put in some more hours and your covered, usaly means long hours on jobs like this though for C*** monney , but if theres residents and times that you can get in certain flats give them a wide berth or charge by the hour, demand a master key too, full access or nothing imo

What kind of flats and occupancy, what kind of residents (students) furnished etc 

James

[Bernard Hibbs]

Thanks for all the help.  I am based in Newham - East London. 

I realise that carpet cleaning is not a job for cowboys - but these will be low quality, thin, cheap carpets.  I have just cleaned a whole hotel with the same sort, and it went fine using a extraction machine (george - numatic) and the carpets look good. 

I had thought that if its the same sort of carpet I would manage. 

If anyone is around in the East London area, maybe we could split the job?  I don't want to sub as I need the work, and the money I get will pay for a new machine. 

I was going to charge by the metre, as I know roughly how long it takes to clean a metre of carpet. 

Any advice on types of machines would be appreciated.  I don't know if I can afford a truckmount - can't I just work harder with a hand machine?  What sort is good?

Cheers
Bernard

[BRSL]

Most carpet cleaners taking on a task like this will need a "bucket boy" somebody to help lifting the machine and filling and emptying, spotting etc
If you want too take on the challenge, I would sugest trying a local carpet cleaner that has all the portable equipment more powerfull and effective than the machine you used previously, and come to a deal over price and offer too be his bucket boy, im not taking the p*** but his knowledge would be invaluable so when u come to buy a new machine you will have a good knowledge of the trade.

[the red carpet]

hi bernard,
my name is daniel i run a carpet cleaning buisness not far from you and used to live in stratford so know the area well i have all the equipment needed for this job and have a bit of time on my hands at the minute, so if you do decide you need help please feel free to ask.

ps, i wouldnt advise using a george on somthing like this as it is a large job and could be a good earner, you really want to do the best job pos as you want to be first in line next time it needs doing.

also somebody mentioned charging by the dayrate when i do this i charge £225-£250

[Bernard Hibbs]

Thanks for all the help. 

2 More quuestions.

Where can I get a carpet cleaning manual.  I will go on a course ASAP but there arn't any till January. 

What causes a carpet to shrink?  Is it too fast drying??  Should the room be heated when you HWE it? Or is it just the carpet getting too wet. 

Thanks
Bernard

[the red carpet]

hi bernard i have a manual,
its from extracta and cost me £70 your welcome to make me a offer for it.
extracta is one of the major equipment manufactures and suppliers for this buisness and also do a training course you may want to have a look at there website www.extracta.co.uk.

with regard to the course i dont know who you have spoke to but there are a number of courses available alltec, prochem, extracta, ncca, and i belive a few more so you may be able to get on one sooner.

i think the main causes of shrinkage are due to how wet the carpet is and the drying conditions, but its also down to failure to recognise the different types of carpet as some arnt really suitable to be wet cleaned and you have to be carefull, others you can wet as much as you like with no problems.   (thats were the course comes in)

[Chris Bailey]

Bernard

Forget the george, especially with 4 blocks of flats!!

I would be looking to work efficiently and with speed.  If the carpets are low profile as you suggest then consider using a pad system, there are a few around, Dry Fusion, Super charly pad etc, new will cost around £3k for Dry fusion, £1.5 for charly pads and drying times will be a lot less.  Maybe your george can be used for the stairs.

Do consider subbing, even if you do bucket running, you will learn such a lot.

Conversations with others recently has shown that, for example, hotel rooms are going for as little as £6.50 a room!!  If your working for local government then they will be looking for the cheapest price.  Don't forget method statements, risk assessments etc...... and check to ensure you have sufficient insurance, you will be needing treatment risk for items worked on and some say £5mill public liability

Scarey scarey stuff, best of luck

Chris

[Bernard Hibbs]

Thanks for the on going advice.  The manual was a great help. Thanks Daniel.

I wasn't going to use the George!  I may be crazy, but not that much.  However, the big machines seem to work much the same, but are more powerful.  The george worked great on my own hotel carpets, which were disgusting and of several different types.  I do understand that you could do more damage with a big machine.   

Well, I will go and have a look - then write some more.  Should be interesting!

[mark_lane]

Hi Bernard
A big  problem that might occur through not having the right equipment ,not going through the proper cleaning procedure and overwetting is resoiling.This is where the carpets you have cleaned at first look great ,but after a couple of days or more, any spots or stains lying at the bottom of the pile will wick up to the surface,,or in the case  of overwetting you can open yourself up to a series of problems such as browning,shrinkage mould and delamination.If you had insurance they would not pay out for any of these results as it would be down to bad workmanship,in otherwords without doubt get some professional help.
        cheers mark

[Bernard Hibbs]

OK - I've been to the place and its not as big as I thought.  He wants me to clean the stairs and landings of 4 blocks of flats:
126 metres of landing, 13 stair cases (13 steps in each)

The carpet is very hard, nasty, synthetic stuff.  Its more like outdoor capet - and it pretty dirty. 

Just because of the stairs, it would be a pain to clean with a full size portable.  It would either have to be a TM or a little machine like George.  What do you suggest?  The carpet is stuck down nicely, it looks so bad already I could hardly make it worse (its dark brown in colour) and the people don't have a clue about carpet cleaning and the lighting is bad. 

Should I do it?  I was thinking of charging about £600 for the whole lot, as its got bad access to sewage and hot water.  The best would be a truck mount, but I'm not quite up to that yet!

Any help appreciated!

[the red carpet]

i wouldent rule out the portable unless theres a lot of floors i done a 4 floor set of flats recently and left the machine downstairs, as long as you have long enough hose's you will be fine.

tm's is the best idea as you wont have to worry about water issue

portable is second best will be a bit of a pain but will get the job done

george is out of the question

[BRSL]

Price sounds about right
 is that 504 sqm for landings, two floor building, one landing per block and 13 stairs cases of 13 steps each
sorry but how does 13 go into 4 does one have four S/C

But this is a easy day (n half) work for a truck/m, a lot of people might sub a job like this for around £350-400 and you can still make good profit

But not many people from here as they know how much your charging he he 

Should always sub, making 30% profit

[Bernard Hibbs]

Sorry for the confusion.  For all 4 building put together you get:
126 sq Metres landing
12 stair cases.  (13 was a mistake.)

Thanks - I think I will sub it.  It would be simple with a TM, but I think floor drying will be a problem, as the ventilation is bad. Wait and see if I get it I guess.

[BRSL]

Sorry Bernard

But I think your prices are a bit high, although everybody on here recons they get £1000 a sqm when it comes to a comercial job you will rarely get over £1.50 a sqm

[Bernard Hibbs]

Yes, I knew they were high.  I guess that I'm not that bothered if they give it to me or not, so if they do, I'll make money, if they don't, well, I've got plenty of other work. 

I also was thinking that there is no good access to sewage, no hot water and limited electricity.

Thanks for the help - I love the forum and will use it in future.

[woodman]

Hi Bernard

This is a job for Charly Pad, Texatherm or Dry Fusion operator, very little water needed, low moisture and little disruption to the occupiers.

What you describe is classic low profile commercial carpet for which the above were designed

Don't lose the job, sub it out.

[BRSL]

Hi woodman I do agree but how do intend to rotary clean 12 stair cases