running porty at high end prices

[prestige cleaner]

can you clean with porty focusing mainly on upholstery and still charge more than everyone else? lets say you are the go to guy in your area,and known expert and show up at clients home with small light clean pick-up truck running a porty will clients look at you think "what the heck..." i was expecting a bigger truck. so my question is can you run sucessful cleaning firm focusing on highend upholstery with a portable.

 

[Giorgio]

I would be suprised if anybody could make a living primarily doing upholstery cleaning.

Nobody ever bites when i quote em a fair price of $150 for microfiber couch and $249 for Sectionals.

yes!

loved my porty for upholstery cleaning. it doubled as a workbench too.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I'm sure you can.

I have a friend that I've know for many many years, I'm not sure if he is still cleaning but he focused on high end upholstery clients.

Many times all he took in the home were white towels and a bucket. He used a lot of OMS and fine fabric shampoo, he even unzipped the covers and took some to the drycleaners for cleaning. :shock:

I think most clients are far more concerned about results than what equipment is being used especially for upholstery. They might even be shocked that a TM is needed to remove light soiling. ???

On the flip side, depending on how soiled the fabric is I prefer the high heat and good vacuum (you can always adjust it so delicate fabrics) that a TM delivers.

 

[Brian R]

Nobody looks out to see what truck you have unless they are an ex carpet cleaner.


Or unless you're George and have a Red Truck that blazes red light through the window like a giant star heating the galaxy...Then maybe they notice. shiteatinggrin


What they notice is clean and customer service.

I charged the same prices with porty cleaning as TM cleaning.

 

[ACE]

It would be hard in this economy. Even the folks here with 300,000.00+ homes balk at $90.00 to clean a sofa around here. The customer doesn’t care what kind of equipment you use. If you wanted to focus on only upholstery you would have to invest heavily in advertising and position yourself as an absolute expert. You would also need to be working a service area of 250,000+.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Even the folks here with 300,000.00+ homes balk at $90.00 to clean a sofa around here.

I wouldn't go that far, I think it depends more on the client. Some will, while others will not.

If you have a soiled divan it cost you $2000.00-$3,000.00 and matches the rest of the decor you have to do something. Can't have guest see how soiled it is. :shock:

The other thing is not all cleaners want to clean fine fabrics due to risk, lack of experience and the fact they can be more productive cleaning carpet. So it's easier to demand a higher price for cleaning somethings others do not want to do or simply can't do.

We clean divan's regularly from $130.00 to $160.00 more if they want protector applied, just depends on the client and even more the value of the piece.

 

[The Great Oz]

You can run a high-end business with portables and charge more than average. Although most would prefer to move into more time-efficient truckmounts, it's been done and is probably still being done.

Yes you can run a high-end business focused on cleaning furniture. Ask Gary Heacock.

Being a niche business requires the population density (or willingness to travel) and customer income level to support you as a specialist. You should also have enough referral sources that would prefer to send you the things they don't want to do. There are people that do nothing but spot dye, or carpet repair (no installation), or recoloring airplane seats.

Good luck!

PS: A customer with a $3,000-$5,000 sofa does not want it cleaned by a guy that charges $100. I think I could take that job away with a $250 bid almost every time. It doesn't matter if you're in Hind Lick Texas, if they paid that much for the furniture they want the peace of mind that comes with paying for the "better" cleaner.

 

[Desk Jockey]

PS: A customer with a $3,000-$5,000 sofa does not want it cleaned by a guy that charges $100. I think I could take that job away with a $250 bid almost every time. It doesn't matter if you're in Hind Lick Texas, if they paid that much for the furniture they want the peace of mind that comes with paying for the "better" cleaner.

:shock: Good thing you live cross country from me......wait if you were in my market you're raise the bar on prices.

Oz any thoughts on moving to the Great state of Kansas? Of course you're need that extra dough for sunglasses and sun screen!

 

[Shorty]

Like the Great Oz said, the answer is YES in my opinion.

Just how much pressure and vacuum do you really need to clean good quality upholstery.??

How thick is that fabric compared to carpet.??

The fabric does not need to be literally soaked with pre-spray like carpet, nor does it require heavy flushing.

Although many do unmentionable things on their upholstery, it can't be as bad as walking through dog crap and depositing that onto the carpet.

If there is a problem, charge for it, we're not a benefit society.

Make sure you have efficient tools and chemicals and the upholstery world is your oyster.

With many chairs, set up a production line.

Set your parameters for how upholstery needs to be cleaned effectively and market it as such.

You can make as much and more with a porty; and small van, compared to a truck mount with large truck, etc;, plus the ROI is a lot greater.

:roll:

 

[bahrahm]

when custy call we let them know what kind of equipment(porty or TM) we use, some custy expecting big TM.

 

[GeneMiller]

we have a girl team here just part of the year and they use a porty. they charge plenty and make a nice living. for the most part your customer judges you.

gene