If you had 10k to start a carpet/floor cleaning business, what setup would you buy?

[Droid1226]

Hi guys. Thanks in advance. I'm new here. I have a Janitorial business and want to branch out into carpet cleaning for my customers instead of contracting it out. Any suggestions on starting with a 10k budget for this? Are there reliable vans/setups for this price? Probably not. Truckmount vs. portable? Is there anything between a truckmount and portable? I have a truck, but can't install a permanent truckmount machine on it(not mine), I can only haul equipment.

I was looking at an Edic 9000 portable but would love to have something with more power/bigger tanks.

Thanks again.

Doug

 

[Steve Lawrence]

You're pretty much only getting a portable extractor and accessories with 10k. If I only had that much I would get a good OP machine (oscillating pad). I think it does much better than a portable extractor and it's a lot less work. (My last extractor purchase included a truck and cost over 72k.)

Good luck with your choice!

 

[Ed Valentine]

$10,000 won't buy a lot today, however, there are some avenues you could go down to accomplish your goals. Regarding "Portables", there are a handful of ETM's you may want to consider. I know because I used to use them!

Best of luck

 

[Droid1226]

Thanks so much for the responses. I know 10k isn't much for what I want to do.

Doug

 

[steve_64]

All you need is a buffer a sprayer a bunch of bonnets and good juice to start.even just a gravity feed tank on a buffer. That's where I would start with commercial accounts.

You can pick up a heavily used but working van with machine under $10,000. I got mine less than half that but it's milking me to keep it on the road. $800 last month to fix tranny lines leaking and a few little things and another $650 today to fix turn signal and headlights. But it's been a money maker.

 

[Mikey P]

If you're doing strictly commercial you can get an OP, a Cimex and a EDIC Bravo spotter machine for under 10K, less if used..

 

[Cleanworks]

Hi guys. Thanks in advance. I'm new here. I have a Janitorial business and want to branch out into carpet cleaning for my customers instead of contracting it out. Any suggestions on starting with a 10k budget for this? Are there reliable vans/setups for this price? Probably not. Truckmount vs. portable? Is there anything between a truckmount and portable? I have a truck, but can't install a permanent truckmount machine on it(not mine), I can only haul equipment.

I was looking at an Edic 9000 portable but would love to have something with more power/bigger tanks.

Thanks again.

Doug

If you are going to be doing commercial carpets, buy a Cimex and learn how to use it. Buy a single cord portable for stairs and spotting. The hos vibe is also a good encap machine but a Cimex will give you more cleaning ability for the money. Buying a used truck mount for under $10,000 is risky unless you're good at wrenching on things. There are some bargains out there.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I too have a janitorial biz. I have a Cimex I use to maintain all my commercial accounts. Depending on what you do mostly, I don’t have an op machine, but it would be a good choice. You can certainly maintain your customers with those, for $26-2700. Keep the rest of your money and let it grow. Search for a used truckmount on eBay, Facebook market and buy one when it’s right for you.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Look for a Ford Van that has a prochem legend in it. That's an easy machine to maintain yourself and it performs on big jobs well enough to satisfy your customers.

 

[BIG WOOD]

.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Who said anything about trashed rentals and restaurants? He said he wanted to expand his janitorial biz. Lord, let’s hope he’s not doing those in janitor work

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Maybe we all know what assume stands for?

 

[Droid1226]

So I actually have one account that has 60k sq ft of casino style carpet that has to be done 6x's a yr. Now they've decided to carpet the 2nd & 3rd floor, so triple that. It's block tile squares that are glued down. I'm honestly sick of paying for the only company that can handle it in my area...they're awful(when they show up). I've been pondering doing it in-house for yrs but haven't taken the leap of investing in my own carpet cleaning equipment. It's sounding like I just have to find a way to invest in a good truck/van...Or strategically placing portables throughout, which I could swing for under 10k (no heat). Anyway, that's my dilemma & I'm cash poor. Hence, the 10k budget.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Cleanworks]

So I actually have one account that has 60k sq ft of casino style carpet that has to be done 6x's a yr. Now they've decided to carpet the 2nd & 3rd floor, so triple that. It's block tile squares that are glued down. I'm honestly sick of paying for the only company that can handle it in my area...they're awful(when they show up). I've been pondering doing it in-house for yrs but haven't taken the leap of investing in my own carpet cleaning equipment. It's sounding like I just have to find a way to invest in a good truck/van...Or strategically placing portables throughout, which I could swing for under 10k (no heat). Anyway, that's my dilemma & I'm cash poor. Hence, the 10k budget.

Thanks for the input.

Glue down carpet tiles are perfect for a Cimex. Get a wide area vacuum and vacuum well first. Fast cleaning and fast drying. Portable machines will take too long and won't dry quickly.

 

[sassyotto]

I have to agree with the Cimex idea, but make sure you are charging them for Carpet Maintenance, not Carpet Cleaning. There is a difference.

 

[FB7777]

Just my humble opinion


I would either leverage that money to purchase a nearly new unit on credit or buy a used Butler unit

I'd lean towards a newer unit as older equipment can nickel and dime you or crap out and cause your reputation to take a hit when you can't perform the work

 

[Cleanworks]

I have to agree with the Cimex idea, but make sure you are charging them for Carpet Maintenance, not Carpet Cleaning. There is a difference.

I charge the same price regardless of what type of equipment I am using. I am cleaning the carpets. As a professional, I get to choose the most efficient way. They are paying for my expertise. Large volume clients like a casino may expect a discount, especially if I have a 180,000 sqft to maintain.

 

[Cleanworks]

Just my humble opinion


I would either leverage that money to purchase a nearly new unit on credit or buy a used Butler unit

I'd lean towards a newer unit as older equipment can nickel and dime you or crap out and cause your reputation to take a hit when you can't perform the work

He's cleaning a casino with carpet tile. The butler probably can't reach where he needs to go.

 

[FB7777]

Sure, but one account 6 x a year is not a reason alone to invest or expand your service base

The worst areas of the casino should be HWE and then other areas you can cimex, OP or CRB encap

10K is a respectable amount of capital.... you gotta desire more than just one account to jump into this racket tho

 

[Old Coastie]

60,000 x .20 X 6 = $72,000/ year per floor.

Buy whatever you want.

 

[steve_64]

If he has a buffer already he can get a pad driver some pads and bonnets a feed tank a gallon of juice and for under $500 he can start maintaini g his account.

 

[hogjowl]

Just my humble opinion

Liar

 

[Dolly Llama]

60,000 x .20 X 6 = $72,000/ year per floor.

g'luck getting 20 cents for that volume 6 times a year

..L.T.A.

 

[FB7777]

No kidding

 

[FB7777]

Liar

Martiot

 

[Old Coastie]

g'luck getting 20 cents for that volume 6 times a year

..L.T.A.

Okay, fine $.10 x 60,000 x 6 = $36,000

Per
Floor.

Buy whatever you want.

 

[roro]

You are talking over 1M sq feet to clean each year. For that sized account I would be looking at an absolute minimum of 4 Cimex machines plus 4 decent vacs and a grunty portable unit. $10K ain't going to cover set-up costs.
roro

 

[Dolly Llama]

lots of questions on this one

I have a truck, but can't install a permanent truckmount machine on it(not mine), I can only haul equipment.

do you work/manage for the company that has the account?
(Or a sub for someone that has the account???)

I'm honestly sick of paying for the only company that can handle it in my area...

How much are they charging for the cleaning and are you tacking on 10-15% for you?
(as is an acceptable norm for the general contractor)

Or is carpet cleaning part of the overall account contract bundle and not an itemized charge?

they're awful

How much carpet have you cleaned?
if little to none, what makes you think you can do better?

.L.T.A.

 

[FB7777]

That's a rather large contract to undertake straight outta the gate


When does casino carpet get cleaned? Between 2-6AM?

Used to clean a dog track here back in the 90s and had to do it one night overnight

Absolutely sucked but I was young and hungry

 

[steve_64]

And I get Crap for my comprehension.

He's the contractor for the janitorial account and pays for the carpet cleaning himself.

I still say start with bonnet and pad cleaning to get a start doing it. Low cost high production right off the bat. Get his feet wet and keep researching equipment.

He can still have other cleaners help until he gets his system in place and employees trained. Slowly weed out the other guys.