Day in the life of 2 Butlers with Saiger's Steam Clean

[Mark Saiger]

Ok...here we go for a typical day lately with us.

We used to run the 2 Butler truckmounts and 3 people (sweet spot) but the youngest daughter's boyfriend quite at the beginning of June, so we did not hire someone new.

This is our twist on keeping a busy schedule (scheduled hard to the end of the month and taking booking into October and November)

I did the presentation at MF 10 about how much extra time we saved and the extra money we were able to make with this system. This is just to show you a possible option and there might be others. We are always looking at ways to save time and money and make out lives easier with the busy schedule.

Here were the numbers from last year (2013). Will analyze at the end of this year as well to see if we are doing well.

**54,055 Additional sq ft carpet cleaned ($20,000 additional cc monies) does not include other services such as upholstery, tile & grout will all increased too.

**20 more total Van/CC machine hours over 2012

**each van generated over $25 an hour total increase fro the year (we gave ourselves a $25 an hour raise for every hour the van was running)

** a total of 20 more van hours - increased income of $20,000 (Almost $1000 per hour additional increase)

**866 less total van miles (and more money made!)

** each van doing over $178,000 each (for carpet cleaning type services)

So here we go....complete with invoice pics! Not trying to pull any bull here! Todays' jobs 9-11-2014!

Day of 2 Butler truckmounts with Saiger's Steam Clean. First job 3 bedrooms WALL TO WALL...argh... Hall, living room, Set of stairs.
Arrive 8:30 am, wrapped up 9:54 am.

Prevac, edge out, prespray, CRB, everything sticky tab prepped or tags set... $444.07 with 2 of us...

When get close to end, one starts Wrap up of other vans while other finishes. We read each other. This is my son in law.

Today was a strange day as 3 of the requests were for moving everything in the rooms/bedrooms. Rarely have that happen!

































Moving a piano sucks...but they way

First one was 1005 Sq ft and 12 steps

Second Job:

2nd job is a living room, hall, full bedroom, downstairs Family room, steps for Clean and protect and touch up a couch cushion. Lucky route plan and was only 10 minute drive... Diving in more... Back in a bit. Soil filtration lines need some tlc











Little Harvard Bone Dry encap juice and agitation....then extract.







Scrubbing on the soil filtration lines!



Cleaning behind the furniture first...everything sticky tabbed before moisture present.



Son in law in Basement...me up top with other van








These pieces we blocked up after applying prespray just in case....then cleaned the area and put back in place.





Dang red spot appeared....out to the van!





RED Gone!



Touching up some stains that need to oxidize....







This job involved switching rinses in my van a couple times for upholstery rinse and carpet rinse (acidic and alkaline)

Just starting the wrap up. Son in law final grooming and any extra stain treatments. Next client called and informed on the way. On site for this 2nd job at 10:04 am probably out around 12:15 and about 15 - 20 minute drive next...

3rd Job a small have to have it today slip in....was only supposed to be a LR center area...ended up being a couch, LR, Hall, Bedroom area, kitchen and entry....oh boy...schedule in trouble!

Great view though...and I live on this lake too!



The couch....LOL!





The importance of prevacing!







I cleaned the couch, son in law was doing carpet areas, after couch finished....pulled my hoses out, wrapped up and son in law finished carpets.







3rd job was 12:30 to 1:40

4th job...and a biggy!!! This will take some time!!

And another wall to wall, move the beds....argh!!

Bunch of domestic area rugs (take a couple specialty rugs back to the shop for cleaning later) upholstery, 3 LARGE bedrooms wall to wall, 2 sets of stairs, halls, Master bedroom with huge walk in....





2 vacuums going, 2 of us sticky tabbing and prepping....things go quicker!









Nice to have the 2 vans here as we can set up in 2 different areas to get in.



Some of the upholstery I was doing as son in law doing carpets downstairs.



Luck that not much grooming needed on this one!



















Wrapping up and folding tarps...plus that large area rug has to go in the van for a little while...



She was a big one!



4th large of day... In at 1:55.. Out 3:56. One more to go after 15 minute drive. Lucky day of Route planning

5th and final!!! 15 minute drive (recoup time)

CRAP...Baking powder sprinkled every where!!!





















Switched to acidic rinse in the truckmount!



Only one truckmounted needed on this....

2 Bedroom areas, hall, LR, DR combo!















Total for the day....$2050.71



Last job 30 minutes tops!

Fuel up and head for the shop.

Each van took about 13 gallons for the ay ($90) and about 5% of our days expenses.



My step count for the day cleaning carpets



6:15 dinner date business meeting with my office manager, accounting department... And beautiful wife



and....A BLUE MOON! (or 2)





Just trying to show this isn't an easy job at times and maybe the way we do it will also inspire someone else to think outside the box and maybe figure out something that works for them too..

If they do I hope they will share so we all have a chance to gain some other ideas

Carry on....and best wishes to everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJaX4ZpfULM&list=UUMnRwt8QSjC79jsf4OdCcJg

 

[Dan]

And you had time for all the pictures and posting this.

 

[Mikey P]

thanks gawd I made $2800 with just my two yellow devils or I'd be feeling like a slacker after reading this.

 

[Steve Smith]

Looks like you had a great day.

I didn't see any commercial air movers in any of the pictures.
As a high end cleaner (I'm assuming you are, since you prevac and scrub) do you not make any attempt to speed dry your customers carpet and upholstery?

p.s. give your son in law a raise so he can afford some professional looking pants

 

[Mark Saiger]

Looks like you had a great day.

I didn't see any commercial air movers in any of the pictures.
As a high end cleaner (I'm assuming you are, since you prevac and scrub) do you not make any attempt to speed dry your customers carpet and upholstery?

p.s. give your son in law a raise so he can afford some professional looking pants

No air movers were used today. A number of places didn't have people home....open windows wide during cleaning, leave open a bit when leaving....and lock the doors.

So they did not want anything left and no one home until later afternoon.

We actually rarely get a chance to use much in the way of air movers to be honest up here.

the pants....not sure what was up with that today....Kids!

 

[Nate The Great]

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No air movers were used today. A number of places didn't have people home....open windows wide during cleaning, leave open a bit when leaving....and lock the doors.

So they did not want anything left and no one home until later afternoon.

We actually rarely get a chance to use much in the way of air movers to be honest up here.

the pants....not sure what was up with that today....Kids!

It's the fashion trend... Back in your day, pants were used tip they had holes in them then patched.... Nowadays people buy pants with holes in them.... Mine would normally tear/wear by the back pockets...

I like how efficient you guys are! You guys have a very good system down and it works for you! I do like that small CRB machine, it's just the right size and weight to keep it maneuverable and perfect on stairs. I wanted the one that was up for auction here, but Amy G. out bid me. I have a Windsor icapsol mini I got for $300 which looked to be used very little. A little awkward for stairs, but does a decent job otherwise.

 

[mirf]

Thanks Mark, for sure out of the box thinking.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

I was thinking of using two vans to bust out the big jobs, what extra cost does it add to the job with labor and fuel mainly?

 

[Mark Saiger]

I was thinking of using two vans to bust out the big jobs, what extra cost does it add to the job with labor and fuel mainly?

For us, it actually saved us money because of less time on the job site, and of course able to get to other jobs if needed.

I look at a lot of jobs of how many "VAN" or Truckmount hours would be on a job site. We have seen that we can save anywhere from 30-60 minutes on some residential, and in a lot of big commercial....it can be a pretty significant time savings. Once set up and going, you make great time.

This entire day, our total fuel cost was $90 or 13 gallons per van (26 gallons total) It ended up being 5% of our total costs for the day.

We had a large church that we did in 2 different mornings. They moved everything....I didn't argue

We made $1900 for 4.5 hours on site. Van time, that was 9 hours total time so we were making a little over $211 per hour per van. We had given them a large discount of about %27 off, so we could have still made better money at a full rate. Our goal is $200 per hour, per van.

Labor, we are not as beat up it seems, And we hate standing around and watching the other person work (wand)...

I did see a difference in the hours spent on jobs, as well as, we got home earlier than most other days with just one van.

Hope that helps a bit....

 

[hogjowl]

Can you REALLY get 230 degree heat running 12 flow?

Or, is that kinda like you talking about all the stuff you neatly cram in the back of that thing? ig:

 

[Mark Saiger]

Can you REALLY get 230 degree heat running 12 flow?

Or, is that kinda like you talking about all the stuff you neatly cram in the back of that thing? ig:

Yep...230 or better at the van...about 210 at the wand...we have ways

And I cram a lot ....where ever I can...lol

 

[hogjowl]

If I end up buying a Butler and don't actually get that kind of heat, running 12 flow, I'm hopping on a bus.

Ive been told by two other mfgs that you can't get that kind of heat out of a direct drive/heat exchange unit if you are running high flow.ig:

 

[WillS]

It's crazy to see how prices differ from city/state. At those prices, half our competitors would beat us out if people were searching around price wise. Is it a smaller area you are servicing or more wealthy areas? Are these return or new customers?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Bring your flood tool....I mean wand and you can try it on our high heat Butler. And NO I'm not buying your ticket!

 

[Desk Jockey]

It's crazy to see how prices differ from city/state. At those prices, half our competitors would beat us out if people were searching around price wise. Is it a smaller area you are servicing or more wealthy areas? Are these return or new customers?

I can't speak for Mark but I personally lie to impress you guys. So if it has my name on it believe what you want.

 

[Vincent Feehan]

great day Mark, I would raise my prices if you are that busy, Less jobs, more per job.. I have been doing that here as I get older and wiser.. Good day for you!

 

[hogjowl]

Bring your flood tool....I mean wand and you can try it on our high heat Butler. And NO I'm not buying your ticket!

Will I, at least, be able to take my mid day nap in your office?

 

[Vincent Feehan]

Great work

 

[Mark Saiger]

If I end up buying a Butler and don't actually get that kind of heat, running 12 flow, I'm hopping on a bus.

Ive been told by two other mfgs that you can't get that kind of heat out of a direct drive/heat exchange unit if you are running high flow.ig:

You by the Butler, and I will consider coming down and helping set it up

Heck, I can do that by phone....

But you buy the Butler, I am at your service to definitely help!

 

[Mark Saiger]

It's crazy to see how prices differ from city/state. At those prices, half our competitors would beat us out if people were searching around price wise. Is it a smaller area you are servicing or more wealthy areas? Are these return or new customers?

Had to look at the schedule to answer if they were new or repeat clients. How crazy is that. Couldn't remember where I was at yesterday....LOL!

All yesterday clients I have done work for in the past.

We have a variety of backgrounds an wealth, but we are actually in one of the poorest counties in the State I am told.

Lot's of working type people with forestry and iron ore mining, but a value for the arts and the environment. Lot's of lakes, woods, scenery....

I am the highest per square foot priced company in the area, but currently booked out about 3 weeks with both of us and the 2 vans.

It seems like every job we are doing is pretty sizeable in some nature as well during the day and weeks.

Here is some info on Grand Rapids, MN (about 10,000 people) and Itasca County

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids,_Minnesota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itasca_County,_Minnesota

It's been a nice place for us to live and make a business.

My past life, I was a high school band director that competed on a National Level.

Here is one of our original shows in competition with my marching band....we took 7th place out of 65 groups. We had everything against us...but over took everyone and shocked many....

I taught everything in the music dept (jazz, concert bands, marching bands....)

It all just lead to me being a better business person and carpet cleaner (which my family has been in for many years too)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcImr7JqcpE

I am fortunate to clean for a lot of high end places though. They have put a lot of trust in us.....don't want to let them down

 

[Mark Saiger]

great day Mark, I would raise my prices if you are that busy, Less jobs, more per job.. I have been doing that here as I get older and wiser.. Good day for you!

Probably saw in an earlier post as I mentioned we are the highest priced cleaner in the area

And we did raise our prices this past year...again....and we are still currently booked out 3 weeks hard with the 2 of us and 2 vans....incredible Fall happening for us....was a terrible Spring though with such a cold winter and late Spring.

We are right now taking every job we can get, pay down debt and brace ourselves for another bad winter....

Another price hike could be coming....

 

[Mark Saiger]

I can't speak for Mark but I personally lie to impress you guys. So if it has my name on it believe what you want.

That's why I took the pics and posted the prices for all to see....

Figured, wanted to try to show not everything is great all the time, and fortunately yesterday, we had a decent income to go with the busy day.

Was still a tough day, but when it needs to get done, we crank it up

 

[Dmreed4311]

You are required to collect sales tax in Michigan! I would hate that!

 

[Mark Saiger]

You are required to collect sales tax in Michigan! I would hate that!

Actually in Minnesota...but there is a Grand Rapids Michigan....and they get my mail sometimes....LOL!

Yeah, MN is good at taxing and collecting it.

I have to pay sales taxes on line tomorrow morning. I have to do it Monthly as our income is considered higher. Some businesses do it quarterly, and some yearly....just depends on your income intake.

We have to charge 6.875% for everything. We are considered a service, so even labor is taxable.

Some communities also have a city tax that has to be collected. Our city is going to try to add a 1% sales tax....will be a big pain if that get's ran through....

 

[Dmreed4311]

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Actually in Minnesota...but there is a Grand Rapids Michigan....and they get my mail sometimes....LOL!

Yeah, MN is good at taxing and collecting it.

I have to pay sales taxes on line tomorrow morning. I have to do it Monthly as our income is considered higher. Some businesses do it quarterly, and some yearly....just depends on your income intake.

We have to charge 6.875% for everything. We are considered a service, so even labor is taxable.

Some communities also have a city tax that has to be collected. Our city is going to try to add a 1% sales tax....will be a big pain if that get's ran through....

Hehe, I always thought you were from Grand Rapids MIchigan. I always wondered how you were killing it in Grand rapids but now I understand, your in a different Grand Rapids

 

[Mark Saiger]

Hehe, I always thought you were from Grand Rapids MIchigan. I always wondered how you were killing it in Grand rapids but now I understand, your in a different Grand Rapids

We are a much smaller town...but still killing it....LOL!

Fair amount of carpet cleaners in the area, but not bothering us....actually seem to help us sometimes

 

[Desk Jockey]

I believe you Mark. Its that Lockhart joker that lies better than I could ever wish to.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I believe you Mark. Its that Lockhart joker that lies better than I could ever wish to.

 

[hogjowl]

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You by the Butler, and I will consider coming down and helping set it up

Heck, I can do that by phone....

But you buy the Butler, I am at your service to definitely help!

I'm not thinking I'd want to go with the 2.5 inch set up. I don't like wrestling that anaconda all day and you can only get 150 of hose on a Butler reel as it is. If you put 2.5 inch on it, you then have to hang 2 sections of 2 inch on a wall somewhere. No thanks.

Now, if you have some secret about how to get that much heat, then I'm all ears.

How am I going to be able to carry a vacuum, a 175, a rotary extractor, a medium water claw, a rotary tile tool and a tile edging wand on that thing if I take up half the minuscule space available with two sections of 2 inch hose?

 

[jcooper]

We are a much smaller town...but still killing it....LOL!

Dam right you are! I appreciate the post and photos, Mark. Anything showing how others work/set up/order of things done/price etc. is very helpful.



Are you running estimates? Pricing over phone? Do they get a per/sqft from call?