Saiger and I just finished 104,000 sq ft of VLM cleaning……

[Lc17smp]

104,000 sq ft that included 15 four story stairs. 8 total days but had 1.5 days off to fit in a few other customers. (6.5 days on the job) My first VLM job. Mark never did show up but his 2x Oxy encap sure did. Stuff worked great. Went thru probably 9 gallons. It was my oldest son an I for 90% of the job. That’s a lot of work. But I’m now ready to VLM full time. Way more profitable. They are pleased with the results and booked 3 more units all almost the exact same size. Only 320,000 sq ft to go. Thanks for the info in my prior post to get me going. I did watch a lot of Mark’s videos before I started.

 

[Cleanworks]

104,000 sq ft that included 15 four story stairs. 8 total days but had 1.5 days off to fit in a few other customers. (6.5 days on the job) My first VLM job. Mark never did show up but his 2x Oxy encap sure did. Stuff worked great. Went thru probably 9 gallons. It was my oldest son an I for 90% of the job. That’s a lot of work. But I’m now ready to VLM full time. Way more profitable. They are pleased with the results and booked 3 more units all almost the exact same size. Only 320,000 sq ft to go. Thanks for the info in my prior post to get me going. I did watch a lot of Mark’s videos before I started.

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We're you using the Saiger Blue or the Red?

 

[Lc17smp]

Red

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

VLM allows a guy to reach any job. The sky is the limit when someone understands the process and concept.
We did 2 jobs over the last weekend. Both commercial, both VLM. Neither one was accessible by TM. I sure as heck didn’t want to porty them, as the soil load didn’t warrant it.
Used properly, it’s a viable way to maintain commercial carpeting…
Just remember, vacuuming is an essential part of the process.

 

[Lc17smp]

I underestimated the amount of time vacuuming would take. Fortunately they had a ride on vacuum and a large area vacuum. Each of the facilities I’m cleaning do. I will need to buy myself a large area vacuum vacuum soon if I’m going to continue this.

Any recommendations on one with baseboard brush? The ride on had one and it’s very helpful.

 

[Cleanworks]

Red

My favorite. Wipes out coffee and other stains easily.

 

[Living The Dream]

We are doing a job that is 3 buildings and 11k sq ft total. I was using Encapuclean Green DS. I love Encapuclean DS because of it's near neutral ph and it has always performed great for me on upholstery, so I always keep it on hand for tough upholstery jobs.

However, I ran out near the end and didn't want to run back to shop to get another gallon, so I grabbed Saiger's Double Strength Encap that I had in the van. I was very impressed at how well it cut through the soil. Even the well trafficked entrance was no problem.

I'm not throwing out my trusted Encapuclean any time soon, but Saiger's has my attention for this type of cleaning.

 

[Cleanworks]

We are doing a job that is 3 buildings and 11k sq ft total. I was using Encapuclean Green DS. I love Encapuclean DS because of it's near neutral ph and it has always performed great for me on upholstery, so I always keep it on hand for tough upholstery jobs.

However, I ran out near the end and didn't want to run back to shop to get another gallon, so I grabbed Saiger's Double Strength Encap that I had in the van. I was very impressed at how well it cut through the soil. Even the well trafficked entrance was no problem.

I'm not throwing out my trusted Encapuclean any time soon, but Saiger's has my attention for this type of cleaning.

I've used the Encapuclean and it does work well. I prefer Saiger's products. In my opinion it seems to have an edge. Both products do work well though.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I use a 28 inch Betco battery sweeper, vacuum. I pull a trailer!!! Of course with other vacuums. No time to waste.

 

[Rick J]

104,000 sq ft that included 15 four story stairs. 8 total days but had 1.5 days off to fit in a few other customers. (6.5 days on the job) My first VLM job. Mark never did show up but his 2x Oxy encap sure did. Stuff worked great. Went thru probably 9 gallons. It was my oldest son an I for 90% of the job. That’s a lot of work. But I’m now ready to VLM full time. Way more profitable. They are pleased with the results and booked 3 more units all almost the exact same size. Only 320,000 sq ft to go. Thanks for the info in my prior post to get me going. I did watch a lot of Mark’s videos before I started.

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pads, or absorbent bonnets?

 

[Nate The Great]

I use a 28 inch Betco battery sweeper, vacuum. I pull a trailer!!! Of course with other vacuums. No time to waste.

I want a Windsor ivac 24" ride-on.. Once I saw how fast they could vacuum hallways in a hotel, it was game over..

I have 3 28" vacuums, but hardly ever use them.. I'm a rugfag more than a CC..

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You gonna ride that thing over a rug

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I use them in my school hallways. Or, after events and receptions at my churches. They gobble up nearly everything. They’re not perfect, nothing is. We use it all, uprights, backpacks, but not a rider sweeper. Rider scrubbers, yes!

 

[Nate The Great]

I use them in my school hallways. Or, after events and receptions at my churches. They gobble up nearly everything. They’re not perfect, nothing is. We use it all, uprights, backpacks, but not a rider sweeper. Rider scrubbers, yes!

Not perfect but effectively ran, 5mins per hall with a counter rotating brush will pull more out with less passes, and time is money.. Granted that's with up kept carpets, trashed is what it is.. Still the thought of being able to go over it multiple times in the same amount of time has my vote.. Hallways, ballrooms, big offices..

And no, not over a rug.. I air dust, tumble dust, badger, vacuum a rug.. 220-221 what ever it takes..

 

[Kenny Hayes]

The laughing emojis is not a dig. It’s your last sentence. That’s funny. SO, you’re gonna be like Matt and me and pull a trailer

 

[Nate The Great]

I'd box truck it with a liftgate over a trailer anyday.. Hell, even ramps over a trailer..

I know you miss Chavez, I do as well.. I told him to come back on, fooker left me on read! Crickets..

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I’d trade one Chavez over a Marty any day!!
Give me a chance!

 

[Nate The Great]

Say no to combovers!

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I do think Marty might talk to him from time to time it seems.

 

[Jimmy L]

Chavez was deported

 

[Lc17smp]

Well I finished up all the buildings on Saturday. It was 2 more not 3. Total of 318,000 sq ft. The last 2 took 6 days each. 65-70 hours a week. Ain’t gonna lie, the hours were tough. They were very happy with the results. The last one I did was cleaned by a large company with lots of portys 4 months prior. The head janitor was telling me how impressed they were with the other company when they showed up. Lots of people, equipment, etc. They soaked the carpet and left. As it dried many of the spots were returning. They couldn’t believe how my little machine and all those pads could do such a good job. I bought a Ridgid 6” orbital sander to use with 8” microfiber pads on the 93 flights of stairs I had to clean. Worked very well. I learned a lot and should be able to streamline things a little on the next big job. I do enjoy the big jobs and will now be doing my best to land large jobs that I thought were out of my league. I think these 3 jobs may have single handedly turned my 18 y/o son into a man. He ran himself into the ground trying to keep up with his 47 y/o dad. Let’s say he won’t be talking trash about my age for a while.

 

[Mikey P]

Well I finished up all the buildings on Saturday. It was 2 more not 3. Total of 318,000 sq ft. The last 2 took 6 days each. 65-70 hours a week. Ain’t gonna lie, the hours were tough. They were very happy with the results. The last one I did was cleaned by a large company with lots of portys 4 months prior. The head janitor was telling me how impressed they were with the other company when they showed up. Lots of people, equipment, etc. They soaked the carpet and left. As it dried many of the spots were returning. They couldn’t believe how my little machine and all those pads could do such a good job. I bought a Ridgid 6” orbital sander to use with 8” microfiber pads on the 93 flights of stairs I had to clean. Worked very well. I learned a lot and should be able to streamline things a little on the next big job. I do enjoy the big jobs and will now be doing my best to land large jobs that I thought were out of my league. I think these 3 jobs may have single handedly turned my 18 y/o son into a man. He ran himself into the ground trying to keep up with his 47 y/o dad. Let’s say he won’t be talking trash about my age for a while.

would you do it all over again, and what would you do differently?

 

[Lc17smp]

I would definitely do it again. The one thing I (think) did right that made the entire job possible was the price. I was over 20 cents a sq ft. Had I priced this cheaper and didn’t feel it was worth it for our company I would have been in big trouble. It was tough but we always went back to payday will make it worth it. Things I learned and would tell anyone wanting to take on large jobs that is residential guy like me. First is vacuuming is a huge part of the job and overlooking the time required is a major mistake. If you don’t have access to a facility vacuum that works you had better bring one. Other things to consider. Bring extra extension cords, lots of water jugs and a way to move them efficiently, scrubbers, wire repair tools to repair cord connections when they get ripped out of the machine it’s attached to, I did think of those things. I didn’t have extra hook pads for the Ridgid orbital sander , (they get full of crap and don’t work after a bit) heavy duty velcro strips to fix Vibe base when (if) they start peeling, Red Bull and possibly some more aggressive pads / bonnets for the worst areas. I am looking at a water tank with wheels and pump made by Vevor. Sure it’s cheap but it’s a 15-20 gal tank on wheels with a battery powered pump. This could save so much time if it actually works. That’s all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Mikey P]

I would definitely do it again. The one thing I (think) did right that made the entire job possible was the price. I was over 20 cents a sq ft. Had I priced this cheaper and didn’t feel it was worth it for our company I would have been in big trouble. It was tough but we always went back to payday will make it worth it. Things I learned and would tell anyone wanting to take on large jobs that is residential guy like me. First is vacuuming is a huge part of the job and overlooking the time required is a major mistake. If you don’t have access to a facility vacuum that works you had better bring one. Other things to consider. Bring extra extension cords, lots of water jugs and a way to move them efficiently, scrubbers, wire repair tools to repair cord connections when they get ripped out of the machine it’s attached to, I did think of those things. I didn’t have extra hook pads for the Ridgid orbital sander , (they get full of crap and don’t work after a bit) heavy duty velcro strips to fix Vibe base when (if) they start peeling, Red Bull and possibly some more aggressive pads / bonnets for the worst areas. I am looking at a water tank with wheels and pump made by Vevor. Sure it’s cheap but it’s a 15-20 gal tank on wheels with a battery powered pump. This could save so much time if it actually works. That’s all I can think of at the moment.

Hopefully you made more than a hundred an hour, eh?

 

[Lc17smp]

I would have walked off the job and told them don’t call me again if that’s what was making. Literally.

I paid my son 10% of the jobs. He made about $35 an hour. Am I being a cheapass? I figured he is 18, lives at home, free meals while working with me and rode with me most of the time.

 

[Mikey P]

If your goal is to get him enthused about running and owning the business someday you should probably bump them up to 20% if you're making that much

 

[BIG WOOD]

If your goal is to get him enthused about running and owning the business someday you should probably bump them up to 20% if you're making that much

I agree. making $66k in 3 weeks should give you plenty of money to give your son an incentive to have a major desire to grow in this business. 20% is more than reasonable. Maybe you should give him a little more as a surprise "thank you" for that job.

But I"m wondering one thing...is that a hotel? IF so, how'd you get the Patels to agree to a price over $.20/sq ft? I'd tried really hard landing some good hotel jobs, both with the smaller and larger ones like Hilton and they're insultingly cheap. And I was offering HWE at that price you charged too.