[Colin Day]

I suppose you could do the dry cleaning method and market it by putting doubt in people's minds about having their carpets wet cleaned.... You wouldn't be the first one

That is what I do

Quite right too...

[from edge2edge]

Morning Mark Firstly dont start with only DRY as it costs more for the products(sponges) so you have to charge more to make a profit.As previously said get a van(i know you can get kit in a car but it simply doesnt shout committed professional when you arrive at a customers house).Loads of kit on ebay for burger all at the moment so a hwe is a must along with a second hand rotary wont set you back much(read posts  from jasonl and you will realise its a very viable system in the right hands)Get some training(loads available from prochem.alltec.ashbys etc) then try out the kit at home/friends until you are very confident that you can do a professional job before using it in peoples house.Regards Alan(swindon)

[Hilton]

If you don't know what you are doing, don't have any money and not good at selling I'd definitely go for dry carpet cleaning.

I dont' follow explain yourself young man, are you suggesting that LM cleaning is for cowboys.

[Mark Hubbard]

Thanks to everyone for replying.  Please continue! It is good to know the views of people.

With regards to my business setup, it has come about through my girlfriends domestic cleaning company.  She has had a few requests for carpet cleaning, which is the reason for me getting involved with carpet cleaning.  I have seen a market out there.
At first, I am going to join her cleaning company and help out with her business, and do carpet cleaning part time.  We are going to market the carpet cleaning through her company.
Also through my existing work, I have made contacts with letting agencies and builders so hopefully this is a line of work.
Through my girlfriends business, I have found leaflets not very positive, and the best way of marketing is through gum tree and word of mouth.
I had set my sights on dry cleaning but it appears I need to review this.
Thanks

[wynne jones]

If you don't know what you are doing, don't have any money and not good at selling I'd definitely go for dry carpet cleaning.

I dont' follow explain yourself young man, are you suggesting that LM cleaning is for cowboys.

No Hilton, I'm saying it's a cheap and safe route into carpet cleaning for someone in Mark's position. Is it ideal for all carpets and does the best job? No, you need other kit to do that, but it's a start.

[from edge2edge]

Mark if you fill in an email address in your profile you might get some tips that arent too be shared even on this wonderful forum(you can learn an immense amount of stuff here so look at old posts etc when you have the time).Regards Alan

[Barbara Green]

Hot Water Extraction is the one I would recommend, the clients wil be happy in 95% of the cases and this method really works! 

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

2 years of only DRY FUSION not a complaint yet 

[AshWhite]

2 years of only DRY FUSION not a complaint yet 

Phil, do you clean many mingers or are most of your customers carpets in decent condition?

[garybristow]

h w e all day long,you will look back after a year and realised you made the right decision.
you can always add dry system when your established
but you wont in my opinion.
ive only turned down 2 jobs in 25 years where a dry system would be needed
trust me im a rug doctor!!
gary

[Steve Rothwell]

The last 18 months LM only, and Yes Ash done some real mingers, and NO Ash no complaints either.

There are ways of dealing with mingers, and decent ones too.

 

[Carpet Dawg]

trust me im a rug doctor!! and a darts player!
gary

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

2 years of only DRY FUSION not a complaint yet 

Phil, do you clean many mingers or are most of your customers carpets in decent condition?

Most are in good condition, Some that have been bad i just get out my little extractor, Extract what i can with the hand tool then DF it.

[davep]

How many jobs per week do you get through Extreme clean?