[shaun_pearson]

hi shaun

im also relatively new to this industry(2yrs) and wish you well in your venture.  some of the advice you recieve on this forum and others like it will be priceless and its free. mike made a couple of good points in his last post and like yourself i was unimpressed with the ncca when i contacted them for advice on starting up. carpet cleaning is not technicaly difficult, hard work and rewarding it is, mentally stimulating it is not. the hard part is running the business and keeping the work coming in.

good luck mate

shaun p

[shaunkinn]

Thanks guys for all the info, never thought I'd get some much help in just one day.

Whats this Alltecs Fast Track course which costs £3500, not sure I've got that kinda cash for just training. If its training?? Who's John Flynn?

On the advertising flyers, there a local printing company which print 10,000 flyers for £150. But if you think £500 is to low for flyers then I'll revise my limit to £1000.

On the offer to me, of working with a carpet cleaner for 2 weeks, I would rather work for nothing than to pay for the privilage to work with someone, as I think my time and effort is good enough pay. I hope you understand, but thanks for the offer.

Once again thanks all you guys for the advice, you've all shocked me with your good will...I hope when I'm up and running I can return the favour.

Can anyone tell me about these "Sunny Days" do I just turn up, hold my hand in the air and shout "I wanna be 1 of you, please help" or is more formal? Please let me know of any near the North West.

Shaun  :D

[John_Flynn]

Shaun

I've sent you a private message with my phone number.

Regards

John

ps Who am I?? I'm one of the lads of mature age!!

[shaunkinn]

To Shaun from Shaun,

How have you found it in the two years that you have worked? Have you found it rewarding? Starting up any business and keeping it going for the first year is always the hardest part.

Its always good to have people like yourself who been there and done it and giving advice 2 us mear mortals.

As for the mentally stimulating bit, I've had that for the last 8 years as a software developer, so its time to give my mental side a rest.

Keep up the good work and good luck mate

shaun K  :)

[shaun_pearson]

hi shaun

yeah its been good for me thanks. im an engineer by trade and i worked in the petrochemical industry for 10 years,  good money but not very nice places to work.now i earn less annually but i do a lot less hours for it and i calculated that hour for hour im not that worse off. getting a lot of repeat work this year so i must be doing something right.  more time with my family which is the best thing about this.

speak soon mate

shaun

[nick.solution]

Hi Shaun

First put your money away out of site and get plenty of information regarding the multiple  systems training and chemical suppliers!!  when you've finished training and looking do some more thinking, and carefully invest your money in the right products and equipment, its very easy to buy the wrong kit even if it does look great!!

plenty of FREE information on the forum from people with a huge amount of experience, and I'm sure most, if not all will agree they have spent to quickly on what seemed a good thing at the time.

Good luck

Best regards Nick

[Derek]

Hey Nick

Why do you think we have 'garage sales' from time to time  

Best wishes
Derek

[eclipse]

just a quickie

as i am also in process of starting up small business i took the advice of derek bolton so i filled in online form regarding info for joining the NCCA all i can say is that within 2 hours of me filling online form in i had recied an email confirming that they were sending me the pack out
(fantastic and efficient i chuckled to myself) so neway i got the info pack today and i had a question to ask so sent an email to admin and in less than 2 hours from sending that email i get one back from Paul Pearce
what i am saying is that i have recieved prompt reply,s to my queries so i for one will be joining the NCCA
you cant go wrong with service like that!!!!!

[gwrightson]

shaun   £150  for 10000 fliers
 have a word with mike halliday
 he put me onto  printers who
 will do  10000 for £98   full colour
  and a great guy to know for help
  he likes to stir things up a bit on here as well
  creates alot of debate  , you wont get him
  over weekend   , away on dirty weekend in
 amsterdam  good luck
geoff

[shaunkinn]

Thanks Geoff, and everyone else for there advice, all this information is adding up to something I understand.

About the leaflets found a printer near me who does 20,000 for £125 1 colour thou or 10,000 for £80 all A5 and he said he could print them for the next day. As he's local I may stick with him.

Could anybody give me advice on this machine (if its good or bad for the price) here the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2595779094&category=2992&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Would I need more eqipment?

He's also selling a van.

Once again thanks everyone for your advice.

Shaun  

[Dave_Lee]

Shaun,
The Cheyanne 3 (Make sure it is this) is a good portable machine, I used to have one, and is one of the more powerful ones. However it does not come with a heater and an inline heater from Prochem will set you back £400 - £500, but you can get a cheaper one from a diferent source. New machines come with a basic set up i.e. Machine
     Hoses
     Carpet Wand.
The other peripherals mentioned in the add you can pick up cheap anyway so I wouldnt take much notice of them.
If it is a Cheyanne 3 then the starting price is a good one, but Id watch how hich it goes.
Dave.

[shaunkinn]

Thanks Dave, will find out what it is...

regards Shaun

[shaunkinn]

Okay I've had one opinion on the item below, Could anybody give me a second opinion on the below item, as I have the guys phone number and I'm on the verge of making him an offer.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2595779094& category=2992&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Is this a good starter machine?
Is the price a good price for a Cheyenne 3?
Where could I get a second hand inline heater from? and what is this?
Would I need more eqipment?
Is there anything else I should know?

many thanks Shaun.  

[Dynafoam]

Shaun,

Yes, it is a good starter machine, but your chances of picking up a second-hand in-line heater are next to none. as Dave said, the cost new is in the regeon of £4-500 and the altrenative external heat exchangers are about the same price. Without one of these options you will have no means of heating water - Do not rely on the customers' tap water being hot enough to start with, let alone staying hot throughout the job.

With regard to the other prices, he hoses and wand are part of the standard equipment package, as is an upholstery tool, which is not listed.

The prices of the chemicals and bucket are grossly over-valued.

The Prochem training course is a bonus not normally part of a second-hand purchase.

John.

[shaunkinn]

Thanks mate, I'm now having second thoughts..

[econet]

Wouldn't it be a good idea if the N.C.C.A. offered a "start up" service, where members local to a new starter would voluntarily show a potential newbie the "ropes" for say two or three weeks to get a feel and point them in the right direction.

Theory is great but there is no substitute for experience.

Gary

[paul_smith]

Gary
your idea is a good one and it is something that i would do given the chance.
thanks Paul

[sandrew]

were abouts in northwest shaun

[Dave_Lee]

If I was just about to start up, I would defionetly spend the money (as Shaun said) and get on the fast track, its a lot of money but particularly to a new starter its a great investment. It will stop the temptation of starting out on a low pricing structure to get those needed early jobs and guide you to a lucrative business.
Someone suggested the Host system, whilst there is a place for this system, it is not a type of system to centre your cleaning business on. It is a maintenance system for certain situations only (any true professional will tell you that this is a fact) In 25 years I have only needed to use a host system once. By far the main business will reqire Hot Water Extraction equipment and some type of bonnet system or Dry Fusion or Texatherm System. Do not think you can start up and earn a living as a professional with a Host system, Im sure many would be horrified to hear anyone suggest that. This is of course my personal opinion.
Dave.

[Ken Wainwright]

Gary

I, like many others on these boards, have been a mentor to newbies for quite a few years. I've just finished with a chap from Kidderminster. He rang the NCCA office and they put him in touch with me. You could also look in local directories for NCCA members and approach them yourself. The worst they can say is no.

Paul

Much of the training you've listed covers common ground. Any of the courses you've mentioned will qualify you for NCCA membership with a pass certificate. May I suggest to you that you pursue Gary's suggestion and find a mentor, get a feel for the job then you will be able to relate to the training instruction on the formal course much better. At this early stage, my opinion is that you should attend the NCCA course OR the Prochem, their content is very similar. Being a member, it's obvious that I'd recommend the NCCA one, but they are both excellent. As for the IICRC, to gain most from it, I'd leave it until you've got a year or so's experience.

safe and happy cleaning:)

eeeeEEEEOOOOOWWWWWwwww

TT CleanBiker