[Moderator David@stives]

Hi all i dont normally hang about in this section you can find me in the window cleaning section or ruling my rod of iron in the loony section.

I was just wondering how easy or hard it is to start carpet cleaning.
I am not concerned about costs or which equipment.

I just want to know generally is it a painfull learning curve ,are there many pitfalls or disasters to be avoided ?

How long does it take to gain confidence and feel like you finally know what you are doing, or is it like window cleaning any one with half a brain can do it.

I say half a brain because if you had a full one you would avoid window cleaning like the plague   

Any comments would be gratefully recieved.

Maybe some kind soul will offer to take me out for a few days, just think a few days free labour off a big strapping lad , well theres an offer you cant refuse.

Thanks

Dave

[the red carpet]

I started up after a 1day course and a day playing with the equipment indoors.

I have been learning everyday since though and im sure i will be for a while yet to come.

I will be taking a more intense 2day course in the near future.

If your going to make mistakes in this buisness providing you attend at least, a one day course to learn about different carpets types and spend a couple nights researching on here. Any mistakes you make that will set you back are more likely to be related to marketing and/or equipment/chemicall choice rather than cleaning.

[craigp]

be tough in your location (low population) so youd hav to be prepared to travel and cover a large area. you might get queit a bit guest houses b&bs, newquay places like that, on the positive

if i were you i would look at your local c/c see where they cover, ie if they have to go as far as the big city/towns

[Moderator David@stives]

Craig

There are a few towns with population of 10,000 or more ,St Ives for example is wall to wall guest houses and hotels. A local guy traves into the town every single day and seems to have work coming out of his ears. So much to the extent of me picking up a lot of his lucritive window cleaning jobs because he cant get round to servicing them.

[craigp]

sounds promising Dave your in a good position cus you can still window clean and support yourself while also building a c/c biz,

where as some people jack there job and are up phoo street when they dont earn much in begining.

[Moderator David@stives]

Does anyone employ staff to do the carpet cleaning or is that a bit dodgy considering some carpets can costs £000s and staff dont take as much care as yourself

Dave

[Jason Hedges]

Hi Dave,

I've been carpet and upholstery cleaning for nearly 2 1/2 years now and am learing all the time. Even though I've done a couple of courses which provided me with the basics, they can't however cover every situation and prepare you for the real world and every day you'll come across new challenges/problems.

You could always pass on carpet cleaning work to a local cleaner and have a deal with them for some commission or referals.

I've had a fair ammount of work recenly by getting in with a local cleaning company, carpet fitter, plumber and window cleaner. I've either used them or they've been recommended to me and I've been to them so we all know we're good at our respective jobs. I'm always being asked to recommend these services which I now do and they also recommend me. Theres no commission envolved but it works out okay for all of us.

Just a thought!

Kind regards,
Jason.

[Ian Gourlay]

And  I was thinking of getting a Waterfed pole.


Cleaned my up stairs  windows with a pole and got repeditive   strain injury  and  a sore neck from looking up  so maybee not.


Ive had  an email  from  Gina@Joe Polish about how to turnover  a 1million

in a town of    8000 to   find out I need to donate $25 to charity.



In answer to  the question,go on courses get insurance, keep  £500 in reserves  in case of claims  etc.


Read this section ask questions


Get   Good at Marketing  as you have to find new customers daily.

[neil 47]

Dave

Mabye someone from copperhouse will take you out for a day

Neil

[Moderator David@stives]

Neil

Do you know of Copperhouse cleaning ?
They live just around the corner from me

Dave

[CARPET KNIGHTS]

 

[BRSL]

I thought the copperhouse was a pub in hayle

[Moderator David@stives]

It is ,there is also copperhouse cleaners.

I have frequented that place on quite a few occassions for a jar or 2.

[Ian Rochester]

David,

We wear the hats of both carpet cleaners and window cleaners (and also contract cleaners), but I went in the other direction to the one you're taking.  I started off carpet cleaning then moved into window cleaning.

Carpet cleaning is much more specialised than window cleaning, it also requires a greater initial outlay for both machinery and insurance. 

If you fail to clean a window correctly, all you end up with is streaks, however, if out fail to clean a carpet correctly you may end up with a bill of £,000s.

If you are also going to undertake upholstery cleaning, then this is even more specialised and prone to disaster.

There is a vast variety of equipment, chemicals and training out there to choose from, you need to look into all the options closely before deciding which route to take.

Spend some time on this side of the forum and you will get a good idea of what people are doing and the pitfalls that can happen.

Ideally you want to get out to the manufacturers to see what they have to offer, the ideal place for this is somewhere like the NEC cleaning show, which I think is next March.

[Adrian Makel]

you never stop learning each job is different and there are new challenges,obsticles daily.