[Phil Spencer]

Hi Guy's,
Ten years ago I dabbled in the CC business. It started as an add-on to my regular window cleaning work. I did manage to get quite a bit of work and enjoyed it!
The last ten years took my working life in a completely different direction but I am now looking at getting back into carpet cleaning.
Over the Easter weekend I managed to brush off some of my old equipment which remarkably mostly still works
My old Spray Extraction machine has though sadly died but it was ex-hire when I purchased it! So I will need to invest a little capitol into a new Spray Extraction machine.
I love the look of these Truck-Mount systems but may look at these in the near future when I am a) Sure that Carpet Cleaning is for me, full time! b) I have a good flow of regular work comming in! c) Receive my inheritance!
In the meantime I will be looking at a competitively priced portable machine.
I once considered a Numatic CTD-900 with Twin Vacuum motors which (ten years ago) was a very capable machine, or should I be looking at a used Prochem machine maybe? Your advice please.
I also have an Envirodri machine for 'Dry Cleaning'. I will need to top-up on microsponges, pre-sprays & stain removers but the machine itself still works fine!
I also have a Sebo BS36 which was a good vacuum cleaner and still appears to be quite highly rated, just ordered 10 bags for this
Your help and advice will be gratefully received.

Phil

[Shaun_Ashmore]

IMO I would go for an Airflex from Clean smart there are 2 models and I'd go for the 2 motored with 200psi pump, I've had a ctd 575d and the machine was reliable but lacking and also the tooling was very poor compared to todays, one thing I would highly recommend is to use your envirodri machine for scrubbing in pre spray the hard work is done for you.

Have you ever thought of going on a refresher course to keep up with the new stuff that's around? worth the money as it learns you what to look for and how to talk the customer.

Shaun

PS if you buy an airflex you'd get a free training course.

[Ads]

Hi Phil,

I am looking to upgrade some of my equipment very soon and will have a good Prochem Steempro 2000 for sale if you would be interested. This has been a great machine and is in very good condition.

Let me know if you might be interested.

 i wish you all the very best in your new venture

Adam.

[Phil Spencer]

Hi Shaun,
Thanks for your reply.
My budget is fairly limited right now, this is probably a good thing as I do tend to 'jump in with both feet'!
Obviously, I need to establish weather Full-Time carpet cleaning is going to be the way forward for me. Once I have established this I will happily invest seriously into the business.
I have seen the Numatic CTD 900 machine priced @ £520.00 Inc VAT with free delivery. Ten years ago I got a demo of this machine and was impressed with the results, but i'm sure things have changed in 10 years. The above is about the budget i'm working with to start.
I may look at refresher training in the near future and may look at joining the NCCA.
I'm not sure about 'Domestic' pricing and how this has changed in the time I have been out the business I did charge about £3 SQM back then & won most work at that price Is this price now considered too reasonable?

@ Ads What kind of money was you looking at for the Prochem Steempro 2000?

Phil

[peter maybury]

Phill
the numatic machines are more something you would expect people to hire rather than a professional machine.
A lot of us probably started off with machines not much better about 20 years ago but I think that the market and customers expectations
have moved on a lot since then. I when I started had no training and there was not the information available then to tell me any different. If you are going to make a success of the venture you would be better off investing in at least a good second hand machine.
You will find it difficult in making a good living from something people are able to hire from a hire shop.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[Phil Spencer]

Phill
the numatic machines are more something you would expect people to hire rather than a professional machine.
A lot of us probably started off with machines not much better about 20 years ago but I think that the market and customers expectations
have moved on a lot since then. I when I started had no training and there was not the information available then to tell me any different. If you are going to make a success of the venture you would be better off investing in at least a good second hand machine.
You will find it difficult in making a good living from something people are able to hire from a hire shop.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

Thanks Peter. Your comments have been taken on board.

Phil

[Colin Day]

I used to rent out the CDT900..... I would never have used it myself, I'd have packed in carpet cleaning after a week of using one myself....

Save your money for the proper job or even better, start up oven cleaning instead... It'll cost you less than a grand and you can be up and running if you speak to the right people

[Phil Spencer]

start up oven cleaning instead... It'll cost you less than a grand and you can be up and running if you speak to the right people

No thanks, I hate doing the wife's!
I just don't want to spend two grand on a machine right now, find out that full-time Carpet Cleaning isn't for me and finding myself selling it a a huge loss in 6 months time!
Back to Ebay to see if I can win myself a 'Professional' used machine! Local!

Phil

[Colin Day]

  How did I know you would say that...? Can't blame you!!!!!

That's perhaps your best option to buy off ebay, you mentioned truck mount and I seen one sell recently for £3500...

I use the Alltec Triple Vac and I have to say it's impressive, but at £3200 this is probably way too much for you.... Have you consider leasing one from one of the major suppliers? There was a really good thread quite recently covering leasing a machine....

Good luck with whatever you decide.... Colin....

[Shaun_Ashmore]

As said above, buy from ebay 2nd hand or from someone on here you'll get value for money and if you need to sell then you will most probably get your money back on it.

Shaun

[Ads]

Phil,

I was looking to get about £500. It comes with hose, twin jet wand and upholstery tool.

[Simon@arenaclean]

Phil,

I was looking to get about £500. It comes with hose, twin jet wand and upholstery tool.

Take his hand off

Simon

[JandS]

I'd be tempted to go to one of the big cleaning suppliers and
get everything on lease hire.
The only problem is that it ties you up for the term of the lease.
But at least you've got the gear to make a proper attempt at
it and are therefore more likely to succeed.

John

[Joe H]

You will find it hard work with a CTD900, and if you find it hard work that may put you off deciding carpet cleaning is for you cause thats all you know.
Min spec you need I think is a twin vac, preferably twin 3-stage vacs as well, and 135psi.  The CTD900 falls well short of that.
Go to 3 vacs and you get a huge performance hit, but at a cost, and there aint many 2nd hand 3 vacs about (cause they are good), and go to a truck mount and you in a different ball game again - but worth it if you serious.

[Phil Spencer]

Phil,

I was looking to get about £500. It comes with hose, twin jet wand and upholstery tool.

Hi Ads,
Looks good, I have sent you an email

[Phil Spencer]

As said above, buy from ebay 2nd hand or from someone on here you'll get value for money and if you need to sell then you will most probably get your money back on it.

Shaun

Hi Shaun,
Many thanks for your input, my eyes are on Ebay! I am also interested in Ads very kind offer. Fingers crossed!

Phil

[Phil Spencer]

Hi guy's,
Many thanks for all your kind help, advice and wishes. I think my chances of success will increase with the help available on here Expect a lot more requests
I would like a little guidance on prices charged by you guy's these days on Domestic work. In one of my posts above you will see the prices I was getting 10 years ago, have things changed?

Phil

[jasonl]

buffer with brush/pad holder  £150

Pads  £100

Battery sprayer £100

Vac  already own

Small extractor for stairs /upholstery £500

Less wear and tear on the extractor if you only use it for stairs /upholstery.

[Phil Spencer]

buffer with brush/pad holder  £150

Pads  £100

Battery sprayer £100

Vac  already own

Small extractor for stairs /upholstery £500

Less wear and tear on the extractor if you only use it for stairs /upholstery.

Tell me more Jasonl, is this the L/M method I have been reading about on here?
How effective is it? Does it clean 'heavy' soiling?

I have got my Envirodri machine also which I found effective in SOME situations but not all!

Phil

[jasonl]

I use the following  method

Rake

Vac .... very thouroughly

Spray

Brush with buffer

Pad with buffer

Spot  treatment

pad  again

Set pile with rake.

I find it effective .