[calmore]

I have a small machine that I'm keeping as a backup but to be honest it's sat there doing nothing most of the time.

I was thinking of hiring it our nearer Christmas as it'll bring in a bit of extra dosh from the DIY brigade who wouldn't normally stretch to using my services. It's only a 1 vac machine with a 50psi pump but it does a good job and is robust and reliable.

Has anyone hired machines out on a regular basis? How much can you expect to get for a two day hire, say? How much deposit? What happens if the customer breaks the machine?

What sort of chemicals would be sensible to supply the customer? I'm assuming the customer won't know what the composition of his carpets will be so it needs to be safe on all types. It needs to do a good job but not be so harsh that the customer risks doing himself any harm!

I'd like to avoid having to supply pre-sprays and agitation brushes etc as this just over complicates things for the customer.

Obviously I want the customer to be able to achieve a clean better than a vax but obviously not quite as good as a professional carpet cleaner, otherwise we'll all be out of business!

[Kinver_Clean]

You will have to look carefully at the conditions of hire- if anything goes wrong are they going to come back to for compensation-what happens when they attempt to clean Belgian wilton? Who pays for a new vac motor when 3 buckets of foam have gone though it?
I think you will find that several have tried it and stopped because of the hassel.
Sorry to be a pessimist but....
Trevor

[Robert Watson]

Trevor`s right, not worth the hassle 

[calmore]

Rug Doctor seem to do OK out of a very similar business model!

Just seems a shame to have a machine sat in the corner not earning any money.

[Damian]

Calmore, my folks started doing this years ago when they bought their first carpet shop-as an add on. It was a money spinner at first, they had upto five little machines going out daily. Then it turned into a complete mare-waiting to collect machines at all hours and people bringing them back in a right state! Then when machine repairs were constant they decided to stop it all. It just wasnt worth the hassle, there was little profit in it for the headaches it caused! Hope this helps?

[maxcarpets]

I,ve been doing it for a while. It,s ok. ALWAYS leave an instruction sheet, I.E check carpets are fitted, test carpet first etc. Always ensure they have de-foam. Always state that you hold no responsabilities. My wife deliveres & collects so it does'nt take up my time. I hope this helps.

Regards


Justin

[calmore]

Thaks everyone for the advice.

I was only really planning to do it around Christmas time when (hopefully) I'll be too busy to do every job.

[judas]

1 VAC  put it in the bin

[Ian Gourlay]

Not sure what came first.
b
There used to  be a Semi Franchise in Exchange and Mart called Carpetmate.

You used to be able to get a Franchise prospectus,  I  think they were suggesting £25 a day, but the USP was you would train the customer and advise on the correct way to do the job,, plus deliver and collect machine. I think chemicals were included in price.

It has been in Prochem cat for a few years do not know if original company was part of Prochem.

Like others I tried hiring out machines but ran into problems so decided it was not worth the hazzle.

Also you are in competition with Grocers and DIY chains.

[craigp]

i often hear of people hiring from dry cleaners.

[calmore]

1 VAC  put it in the bin

Why? It does what it says on the tin and you can get really good results if you put a bit of effort in.