How many years in did you realize...

[Mikey P]

I can identify with many others on this thread, starting out in 1985 charging $44.95 for 2 rooms and a hall! Over the years we steadily raised our prices, but the biggest gain we had was running 2 wands on just about every job to cut our time down. That was and still is, our biggest boost for being done with each and every job in a timely manner while still being thorough. I know many have said dual wands do not work very well in residential, but I differ. We never lack for vacuum, and certainly not lacking in the heat department.

what does that extra person REALLY cost you?

 

[Bob Savage]

what does that extra person REALLY cost you?

Very little seeing as he can do 3 rooms and a set of steps in an hour while I am cleaning either other rooms or some upholstery.

It allows me to be semi-retired and still getting in a full day in half the time!

 

[rick imby]

After I sold the business to my son he doubled all the repair rates. I never learned....

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Very little seeing as he can do 3 rooms and a set of steps in an hour while I am cleaning either other rooms or some upholstery. It allows me to be semi-retired and still getting in a full day in half the time!

video please

 

[Bob Savage]

video please

Video of what? We are both pushing a wand at the same time in different parts of the job site. Heat, vacuum, or pressure is never an issue when running 2 wands, and each wand is a minimum #6 flow.

 

[jeffexe]

zaccally

I should of bought Steve Marsh's marketing package when he pestered the chit out of me at one of your fests

"how to net $125k a year and only work 15 hours a week"

..L.T.A.

That is an average of 166.66 per hour with 2 weeks off for vacation. Sounds spot on to me.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

I'd like to actually see the logistics of setting up two complete hose runs and yet smoothly clean out of one van with only 2 people.

Even in commercial settings it sounds like a 2 ring circus.

 

[Bob Savage]

I'd like to actually see the logistics of setting up two complete hose runs and yet smoothly clean out of one van with only 2 people.

Even in commercial settings it sounds like a 2 ring circus.

OK, I can do that.

Lee, I have been perfecting this system for 30 years, and can not think of anything else I could do to make the jobs go any better than they do.

Believe it or not, once you get the hang of dual wands, it is a cinch to set up and tear down. I carry 280 feet of vac hose on one reel - one set is red. and the other set is blue so we won't get mixed up inside. We also have 4 other lengths of 2" vac hose so we can add just what we need at the van on some jobs without having to get out a 50 footer when you only need 25'.

One steam line is Parker gold, and the other is blue, both fabric braided. Heat is 280,000 BTU PW LP heater converted for carpet cleaning, with auto light and AFB circuitry to act as an auto flow switch. It is even activated when using a Kleenrite upholstery tool.

We use corner guards!

After our walk-through with the customer, we decide who is going to clean what.
We split the job up so we usually don't see each other the entire job. We even do carpet, upholstery, and tile when dual wanding.

With an extremely reliable APO, we NEVER have to stop any job to empty the recovery tank. Yes, there is only one recovery tank.

The LP heater NEVER lags for heat, nor does it run when more heat isn't called for. We have a temperature dial so we can set it for the temp we want to achieve, sometimes using over 245 degrees for tile and grout. It NEVER lags in heat production!

No, Lee, it's never a circus, but cleaning dual wands out of the Astro van is like operating out of a clown car!!!

 

[Bob Savage]

After I sold the business to my son he doubled all the repair rates. I never learned....

HeyRick!!!

People will pay for the repairs because it is an art!

 

[Dolly Llama]

That is an average of 166.66 per hour with 2 weeks off for vacation. Sounds spot on to me.

Thanks Jeff

I'm not very good at math and have never been a good business man
But I'm thinking you'll need a "little more" to net a buck and a quarter a year


..L.T.A.

 

[hogjowl]

HeyRick!!!

People will pay for the repairs because it is an art!

My cleaning is an art

 

[jeffexe]

Sorry, I missed net. Absolutely. With taxes insurance and other business bills, I think we are damned anyway.

 

[Willy P]

After I sold the business to my son he doubled all the repair rates. I never learned....

What kind of bike is it that you're using for an avatar? Pretty cool. I have a CCM Charger like this that I found after 5 years of searching.I'm hunting a Marauder now.

 

[Desk Jockey]

What kind of bike is it that you're using for an avatar? Pretty cool. I have a CCM Charger like this that I found after 5 years of searching.I'm hunting a Marauder now.


View attachment 107161

Looks like girls bike. Its it's ok though, I bet you look good on it.

 

[Matt B]

that if you raise your prices you'll make more and work less?

I feel like after 29 years, I’ve having to relearn this. I just realizing that my prices haven’t kept up with current inflation

 

[Willy P]

Looks like girls bike. Its it's ok though, I bet you look good on it.

I make everything look great. Everything.

 

[Mikey P]

I'd like to actually see the logistics of setting up two complete hose runs and yet smoothly clean out of one van with only 2 people.

Even in commercial settings it sounds like a 2 ring circus.

We had it dialed, with Honkin Trucks.

 

[Numero Uno]

Day 1, I knew that yes my package was the finest.
My truck was shiny an new...
An after ten yrs,of saving.
I was unleashed to follow MY dream.
Never under cut never worth it.
An when I thought too.
Memories of failed bosses past...
Arrived an said...F no...
I priced fairly an gave them my very finest...

 

[rick imby]

What kind of bike is it that you're using for an avatar? Pretty cool. I have a CCM Charger like this that I found after 5 years of searching.I'm hunting a Marauder now.


View attachment 107161

I think Fred made it my Avatar. I have a dozen bikes but they are all rideable by me except for the E-bike I bought so a hot young lady could come ride with me....

 

[rick imby]

Looks like girls bike. Its it's ok though, I bet you look good on it.

I always look good.....

 

[Desk Jockey]

I always look good.....

Rick I totally agree. In fact I often mention it in casual conversations.