[Adam]

Good Afternoon,

I am currently in the process of starting up my own local carpet cleaning company and need some advice, that’s were I’m hoping you guys will come in.

My main concern at the moment is where I can obtain the most comprehensive training at a reasonable cost. Having conducted some research into this I have narrowed it down to a few providers but cannot decide between them.

The first is Prochem based in Surrey who seem to be one of the market leaders in this industry, they offer a two day course for around £200 which appears to cover most aspects.

The second is Cleansmartsupplies based in Nottingham who offer a range of courses, which are around £100 a day.

Lastly I have come across the IICRC Carpet Cleaning Technician from National Flood School which is more expensive at £199 but maybe more comprehensive as its a two day course

All of them seem fairly well established, I wonder if any of you could recommend either or a more suitable alternative?

I have seen the NCCA courses and such like but don’t have either the knowledge or funds to attend these courses at the moment.

I am aware that any training courses such as these will have an element of product sales attached to them. I am still to decide which is the best machine to get so this could also be a deciding factor.


Thank you very much in advance of any responses

[Mike_Roper]

I would say Cleansmart course , if Derek Bolton is still doing them. The range of equipment available there takes some beating also .Wont be as biased as prochem course not knocking it I did it around 1990.
Mike

[Adam]

Cheers Mike

Derek does still run them which did attract me to their courses.

It just the travel that puts me off, being from Bournemouth Nottigham is 5 hours away, Surrey is 1.5

Thanks again

[derek west]

done all 3 courses and there all very good.

[creighton foyle]

i did the ncca course and dereks at cleansmart ,if you decide to buy a machine from cleansmart you get the cost of the training deducted from the price of the equipment you buy.

dereks course and the ncca course were almost identical in content when i did them just the cleansmart one is a lot cheaper.

you will also get the chance to see the airflex if you opt for the cleansmart course.

[david@zap-clean]

Here's a tip I don't think has been posted on here before:

Find a franchise opportunity (not necessarily carpet cleaning, but it should be service industry based) and go on their 'open day'. 

You'll learn lots about running a small business, for free.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Hi Adam
When I first started out I did 2days with Ashby's and 2days with Prochem both very good and give you all the basics you will need to set you on your way as I belive will all of them Prochem used to do one in coventry aswell.

Thanks Tony

[Adam]

thanks guys, really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts

If anyone else has experience on any training course please comment

[B Bailey]

We have done the rounds, frost with prochem about 15 years ago, even then I found it to focused on their own products, but it was a good starter.
The Iirc course in Farnham is not biased to any particular product but is more academic and can be a bit boring at times, but when you pass their exam you can join the NCCA without having to do the NCCA course.

[feldon]

I have done the the two day course at Cleansmart with Derek Bolton and also the advanced spot and stain course and highly recommend Derek's courses.  Although held at Cleansmart there is no pushing of their products and as others have said if you get a machine of them you can get the cost of the course refunded.  I did end up getting a machine from them as I was so impressed with them when I saw them in action.  Recently upgraded to the Storm and it is a fab machiine .

Not done the Prochem course and  although I'm sure it is very good I wouldn't want to limit myself to a course that was heavily biased towards their range of products.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

If you live anywhere near Surrey you will soon realise that every training course/exhibition/open day  is at least 2-3 hours away

[Len Gribble]

Think the big clean do courses (sorry surrey based) if Colin turns up ignore him he ant got a clue how to use the wonderwand if you want more local try BICSc

[Adam]

Havent heard a bad word about any of the course yet which is promising.

Prochem seems to be the best option based on the fact I can get up there and back and save money on hotels and travel.

They offer a 1 day or 2 day course, from what I can see the 2nd day is more on the marketing and starting the business which I dont really need the advice on.

Thinking the 1 day at £100 might be a good starter for ten?

[feldon]

Adam

Not sure of your back ground but if you have never worked in this industry before you will find the first few years you will be doing more marketing than carpet cleaning, nearly anyone can clean a carpet after a couple of days training (o.k it takes a few years to get really good and gain some experience ) but marketing is key, you can be the best carpet cleaning in the country with the best equipment and if you don't know how or what works for this industry you will be sitting at home twiddling your thumbs .

That being said, Prochem is the last course that has been mentioned that I would consider, why because it is biased towards Prochem products, there is a whole world of different suppliers and products out there apart from Prochem, I for one don't use any of their solutions, tried a few but didn't work very well for me.  With most of the other courses you will be getting un-biased training.

As for marketing you will find lots of advice on here and the other forum.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Richard if Prochem products don't work for you I would suggest a PROCHEM traning course  lol

Tony

[feldon]

Richard if Prochem products don't work for you I would suggest a PROCHEM traning course  lol

Tony

Tony I just found something that worked better

[Max Campbell]

IICRC / cleantrust courses are not aimed at any range of products, and so carry a bit more credibility, but it's very USA-facing.

Most courses are pretty similar - all you really want is enough to not completely cock-up in your first few weeks.