Well...what now?

[Russ T.]

I used to get a little annoyed when I would hear about companies being booked out a few weeks. I thought they were telling some stories...

March was the biggest on record for us, April is totally full, and booking into May.

I interviewed a young guy last week. He seemed alright, for a guy who isn't me.

I'm having a very hard time here.

There's real money coming in but I feel like I need more space, a new truck, and a full time guy.

My brother in law is still in MT, thinking about a move to IA.

I'm going crazy with all the thinking. I wish I had a wealthy uncle or something. Central IA would be ours.

Any recommendations on a well cared for Butler, Cleanco, SS 1200, Hydramaster?

 

[hogjowl]

Is this due to some kind of new advertising you're doing? Or, did you land a new large commercial client or apt complex?

If not, and you can't put your finger on why you're suddenly booked out, be careful.

 

[Mark Saiger]

I used to get a little annoyed when I would hear about companies being booked out a few weeks. I thought they were telling some stories..

March was the biggest on record for us, April is totally full, and booking into May.

I interviewed a young guy last week. He seemed alright, for a guy who isn't me.

I'm having a very hard time here.

There's real money coming in but I feel like I need more space, a new truck, and a full time guy.

My brother in law is still in MT, thinking about a move to IA.

I'm going crazy with all the thinking. I wish I had a wealthy uncle or something. Central IA would be ours.

Any recommendations on a well cared for Butler, Cleanco, SS 1200, Hydramaster?

Hey Russ, there is a good Butler I posted for someone over on their website.

It's a used 2002 with 42,000 miles and only about 500 hours.

They used if for janitorial and the couple is retiring.

I hear in great condition for around $18,000

Smaller 45 blower, not high heat....but would work and have lots of hours left in it...

https://www.butlersystem.com/customers-used-truckmounts-39.html

 

[Mikey P]

Marty's question is very valid


My guess is word has finally gotten out that "the nice white bread kid in that funny van does a really great job for a fair price".

Russ's other choice would be to just charge more, run off 30% of those waiting customers and wait for his son to grow up and take over.

But I would think in Iowa you'd be able to pay enough to hire a couple of people pleasers who just ain't quite as sharp as you.

@adamh

 

[steve_64]

People are spending again.

I'm seeing it too.

 

[adamh]

Going from owner op to having employees is the hardest thing I have ever done in business. I was such a control freak, everything had to be done 100% just as I did it. They had to move the wand exactly like me, move the hose exactly like me, heck I wanted them to look like me. It was years before I could step back enough and understand that a good tech can do things a little different and still blow peoples mind. The main thing you need in an employee is people skills. These guys need to be able to talk with anyone, pet the dog and butter Mrs. XXX up. That is more important than anything.

Before running out and buying another truck and starting a guy running full time you need to do some things.
1. Raise your prices. If you are booked that far out you may not be charging enough. Remember the custy is not as concerned about price as you think they are.
2. Having 2 months ( at least ) of expenses in cash is a must. Employees cost a ton of money. You can plan on it but it always costs more than you think. Taxes, insurance, state workmans comp insurance, another truck with all its costs etc.
3. A good employee will not work for cheap and will not stay around. I pay my guys waaaaay more money than anyone else in the area. They will do anything for me because I treat them better than they have ever been treated before. If I can buy a house they should be able too as well.
4. debt is a killer. Very little as possible. Cash is king, I dont care what people say.

This move will be stressful but can be done. Plan, plan, plan. Talk with your accountant, find out what the state and feds will screw you with, go to SFS.

You will have to learn to let go. I still fight that everyday.

 

[Mark Saiger]

After re-reading above posts from Marty and Mikey P.....

They are very correct.

If you need a van as a potential back up maybe look at that....

and can maybe hire just someone for the summer to come out with you on those larger projects...or if you have that second van and did like I did of having them both on the same job sites that are needed, and leave it at home when not needed....

Going through the winter in Iowa is probably as bad as Minnesota can be.....wondering when the phone is ringing...or need to call Marty to find out if our phones are both working

But a back up van to take off the overload if you feel is needed can be good....if can find a good unit....

Just don't spend the bank to not make bank....

Then, take that person with you...Let them learn to be you....

You personally know what it is like just to be given a unit and shown how to turn it off and on...and say...."see you at the end of the day"

 

[Mikey P]

Wow, SFS in under two minutes...

 

[Mark Saiger]

Going from owner op to having employees is the hardest thing I have ever done in business. I was such a control freak, everything had to be done 100% just as I did it. They had to move the wand exactly like me, move the hose exactly like me, heck I wanted them to look like me. It was years before I could step back enough and understand that a good tech can do things a little different and still blow peoples mind. The main thing you need in an employee is people skills. These guys need to be able to talk with anyone, pet the dog and butter Mrs. XXX up. That is more important than anything.

Before running out and buying another truck and starting a guy running full time you need to do some things.
1. Raise your prices. If you are booked that far out you may not be charging enough. Remember the custy is not as concerned about price as you think they are.
2. Having 2 months ( at least ) of expenses in cash is a must. Employees cost a ton of money. You can plan on it but it always costs more than you think. Taxes, insurance, state workmans comp insurance, another truck with all its costs etc.
3. A good employee will not work for cheap and will not stay around. I pay my guys waaaaay more money than anyone else in the area. They will do anything for me because I treat them better than they have ever been treated before. If I can buy a house they should be able too as well.
4. debt is a killer. Very little as possible. Cash is king, I dont care what people say.

This move will be stressful but can be done. Plan, plan, plan. Talk with your accountant, find out what the state and feds will screw you with, go to SFS.

You will have to learn to let go. I still fight that everyday.

Home run right here too!

 

[Russ T.]

We have been going hard since St. Pete. We put in our biggest March in our history.

This month continues to be busy but I have a few commercial projects that need done.

We are selling protector, plenty of it. I just ordered 9 more gallons of Maxim last week. I think I'm going through 10 gallons a month at this rate but am new to this so we will see. I'm seeing much bigger tickets, since adding the Maxim. I had a "carpet only" j0b go over $1100 on Friday. There were 3 other jobs that day. One was completed and 2 had to be pushed back.

 

[Russ T.]

Neither job was residential, that was pushed back.

Common area in apartment building and a small cleaning for the local historical society, attempting a red stain removal.

 

[Russ T.]

Going from owner op to having employees is the hardest thing I have ever done in business. I was such a control freak, everything had to be done 100% just as I did it. They had to move the wand exactly like me, move the hose exactly like me, heck I wanted them to look like me. It was years before I could step back enough and understand that a good tech can do things a little different and still blow peoples mind. The main thing you need in an employee is people skills. These guys need to be able to talk with anyone, pet the dog and butter Mrs. XXX up. That is more important than anything.

Before running out and buying another truck and starting a guy running full time you need to do some things.
1. Raise your prices. If you are booked that far out you may not be charging enough. Remember the custy is not as concerned about price as you think they are.
2. Having 2 months ( at least ) of expenses in cash is a must. Employees cost a ton of money. You can plan on it but it always costs more than you think. Taxes, insurance, state workmans comp insurance, another truck with all its costs etc.
3. A good employee will not work for cheap and will not stay around. I pay my guys waaaaay more money than anyone else in the area. They will do anything for me because I treat them better than they have ever been treated before. If I can buy a house they should be able too as well.
4. debt is a killer. Very little as possible. Cash is king, I dont care what people say.

This move will be stressful but can be done. Plan, plan, plan. Talk with your accountant, find out what the state and feds will screw you with, go to SFS.

You will have to learn to let go. I still fight that everyday.

Thanks Adam!

 

[Desk Jockey]

I thinks its a "Spring" realization finally. We had a commercial carpet job Friday, Saturday and one every night this week. It all booked this week.

 

[Russ T.]

Is this due to some kind of new advertising you're doing? Or, did you land a new large commercial client or apt complex?

If not, and you can't put your finger on why you're suddenly booked out, be careful.

Excellent advice, thanks Marty!

 

[Russ T.]

It makes it especially hard to have several things needing addressed all at the same time.

If I needed a new truck...I could fight my way through it.

A new shop?
Not at 300K.

An employee?
THIS is the toughest part with me.

 

[Russ T.]

I forgot to mention the rug plant.

I want one of those too!

 

[Desk Jockey]

One piece at a time.

I think look for help first. It will provide some relief physically and mentally. Doesn't have to be a lifer, in fact Summer help would be best.

Bank as much as you can in savings for the new van. You just want enough for a down payment to keep your monthly manageable. Keep any remaining for Iowa Winter.

Rent the building you feel you need. Don't get locked into anything long term. No more than a two year commitment.

Plan your moves but continue to build the next you on the truck. Check out the small rug operations and decide if thats you. What space demands, utilities, equipment. Is there a market to support it? If so, how do you plan to market to them? How many rugs do you need to clean to say make a payment on an equipment loan.

Keep great records. Once you've compiled the data it will make a great loan proposal showing a need, potential profits and the cost of the equipment to get there.

As much as I know you would like a new building its probably the last on the pecking order. You can do all this without the new building. Grow into the building.

1. New money maker "Cleaning Truck"
2. New money maker "Your Replacement on That Truck"
3. Rent a building-opens up opportunities for rug cleaning
4. Purchase Rug Cleaning Equipment-speed up production, provide winter work
5. Build a New building-Once your sales support the extra overhead

 

[Russ T.]

One piece at a time.

I think look for help first. It will provide some relief physically and mentally. Doesn't have to be a lifer, in fact Summer help would be best.

Bank as much as you can in savings for the new van. You just want enough for a down payment to keep your monthly manageable. Keep any remaining for Iowa Winter.

Rent the building you feel you need. Don't get locked into anything long term. No more than a two year commitment.

Plan your moves but continue to build the next you on the truck. Check out the small rug operations and decide if thats you. What space demands, utilities, equipment. Is there a market to support it? If so, how do you plan to market to them? How many rugs do you need to clean to say make a payment on an equipment loan.

Keep great records. Once you've compiled the data it will make a great loan proposal showing a need, potential profits and the cost of the equipment to get there.

As much as I know you would like a new building its probably the last on the pecking order. You can do all this without the new building. Grow into the building.

1. New money maker "Cleaning Truck"
2. New money maker "Your Replacement on That Truck"
3. Rent a building-opens up opportunities for rug cleaning
4. Purchase Rug Cleaning Equipment-speed up production, provide winter work
5. Build a New building-Once your sales support the extra overhead

I DO need to find some relief. My days are spent consumed with cleaning. I love to clean, I just spend so much time doing it that it causes me to neglect the things that would cause my business to REALLY grow.

This has happened the last couple years too.

We get busy and get lazy, if that makes sense.

When my schedule is full, I don't spend anything on marketing....nothing.

Well, except Service Monster.

There is a ton of money falling through the cracks, when we are busy!

 

[Desk Jockey]

It will continue to repeat itself until you get a little help.

A good college kid can be the temporary answer. Maybe even on going, as they work through school. You just schedule your heavy days around his schedule.

It will be uncomfortable at first but before long it becomes second nature. You can do it!

 

[Bob Pruitt]

If you don't already have a full time helper then I would start there.
A Helper is to make you more efficient and give you the time you need to look around on the job you are on and allow you to add the upholstery cleaning or tile or whatever. Your Helper is taking pressure off you and keeping the wand moving or... moving the furniture so you can keep the wand moving. We are only making money when the wand or tool is moving.
Agree that raising your prices enough to make the Helper free is a smart move.
Your other goal with the Helper is to train him for van #2... plan for that.

 

[Old Coastie]

People are spending again.

I'm seeing it too.

The residential market is a good index of consumer confidence. Let's face it, carpet cleaning is way down the list of household priorities, so when someone is willing to spend money, it is because they have satisfied other, more pressing needs.

 

[Mikey P]

I forgot to mention the rug plant.

I want one of those too!

Why, are there thousands of real Oriental rugs in Corntropolis?




I would guess it's 90% tufteds and synthetics out there.

Will people pay more than $100 to clean a $300 rug?

 

[Russ T.]

Why are there thousands of real Oriental rugs in Corntropolis?




I would guess it's 90% tufteds and synthetics out there.

Will people pay more than $100 to clean a $300 rug?

There's a lot of people in this part of Iowa, between Ames and Des Moines.

1 rug plant in operation, getting $3 per foot.

I want a piece.

 

[Russ T.]

Most that I clean now are the Lowe's or Home Depot specials.

The price just went up on those too.

$1 per foot, cleaned and protected. It's reasonable for what it is and what the rug plant will charge.

 

[Russ T.]

Corntropolis

 

[Mikey P]

There's a lot of people in this part of Iowa, between Ames and Des Moines.

1 rug plant in operation, getting $3 per foot.

I want a piece.

Have your wife drop off a rug there in a month and check to see how big his to do and to deliver stacks are..

 

[FB7777]

Congrats man!

File this under " good problems to have"

Exciting times...also very pivotal times

So much solid advice given here

Priority one is finding a great candidate, look everywhere.

Nothing else happens unless you can find laborers to reduce the work load

Longer term the building sounds like a great investment, keep saving it WILL reduce your stress level

I'm excited for you! You've been at this under a decade and already have a company that can support your family

Take the next steps, you can always operate at this level , but now you're ready for the majors

 

[Russ T.]

I'm usually very healthy. I haven't missed a day due to illness in years. But now I'm sick.

I make myself this way when stressed out. We put our dog down on Friday too.

Will someone wake me up when this is over?!

 

[Bob Pruitt]

We put our dog down on Friday too.

Sorry Russ. That is tough. This coming week will be a good one.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

There's a lot of people in this part of Iowa, between Ames and Des Moines.

1 rug plant in operation, getting $3 per foot.

I want a piece.

2$ for syn, 3-4$ for standard wool, and up to 7$ for the high end stuff.......(silk, silk blends etc)...... I am looking at setting up a rug plant aswell...