This is so confusing...

[Walrus Gumboot]

I'm starting up again after being out of the business since 2009 when I took a severe butt-whooping in Real Estate (I'm humble now). Yeah, I'm too old, but I have a 20 year old son that has the Right Stuff to be very successful in what ever he does, and after hiring several different "professional" cleaners for my personal home and rental property, I've found there is definitely a need in my market. So, I've been trolling MB for about a year to get caught up on the latest trends and techniques.
OMG!!! It's been mind boggling! How many freakin' wands/tools does one need to have on the truck these days? 10" crb, Zipper, Zipper SS, Devastator, RV360i w/4 different heads, 175rpm, etc., etc.
Before I had a grandi groom and a hacked-out Greenie wand.

Question: WTF?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Welcome back, you need the info more than the tools. However you hit many on my short list.

 

[Jimmy L]

Where do you live?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

We lost several real estate investors from that meltdown, just went back to look at one of your last posts in 2010. Wonder what happened to a couple of the other guys in that thread?

 

[Mikey P]

To old to sell a house but young enough to run a suck mop

I'm confused.....


Residential? Here is my list of must haves to start out

• A 45 or larger truckmount
• Shark vacuum
• Devastator wand because you're old and the swivel will be your best friend
• A Hard Surface wand
• A full size Spinner tool
• PMF Hard surface hand tool
• Sapphire hand tool
• 10" CRB or a 175, you're old, get the 10..
• HydroForce, Multi Sprayer, ISP or small pump ups
• Tarps and corner guards
• Carpet Groomers
• Flat Mop and heads
• Omni Fans and DriPods
• Tid Bits
• A gym membership to cross train.
• Minty fresh breath
• Social Media understanding
• Money to live in for the first three years.
• MB.

 

[Old Coastie]

So, minty fresh instead of "hard as kerosene?"

That explains a few things.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

1 -I won't be operating the wand other than training. 2 - I didn't sell houses, I owned them (too many). 3 - I'm in Athens, Ga.
The list looks good, but I'm kind of hung up on that 10" crb. My thoughts are a 15" would be better/faster.
Just bought 45 air movers, some dehus, etc. We will be doing flood work too.

Price quote from Butler: 2017 3500 ext van (to haul all of these tools) 210 waste tank = $74k

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

We may just do flood work, not exactly sure yet but need to make up my mind fast. Took WRT/ASD at Kurt Bolden's a few weeks ago and going back for his advanced class in January. SFS in Feb in Atlanta. Then, its on.

 

[hogjowl]

Call me anytime. PM me for number. Go to TCS in Atlanta and price a Cleanco. Send the boy over to Alabama for a ride along.

 

[Bob Pruitt]

Was the 360i a must have for residential? Incase it wasn't on the list and because you're old... the RV 360i. W/ BH

 

[hogjowl]

It's a pea shooter.
Real men have the XL

 

[Mikey P]

real men dont ask for directions or listen to those that know better too..

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

If your under 70 your still young get on the truck and after a few weeks you will feel 20 yrs younger . The aches and pains lessen with time. You get paid to work out and see the results after every job. jz.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

We have decided against getting into the floor cleaning business and just go straight flood work. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on equipment and marketing, I want to go after the biggest potential return on my investment.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[BIG WOOD]

We may just do flood work, not exactly sure yet but need to make up my mind fast. Took WRT/ASD at Kurt Bolden's a few weeks ago and going back for his advanced class in January. SFS in Feb in Atlanta. Then, its on.

I was at the SFS in February also. Send me a pic,and I'll remember you. I'm also just an hour away from you in Toccoa. If you need any pointers, I'll be glad to help. I'm not big in the Water damage dept, but I've got the knowledge

 

[BIG WOOD]

We have decided against getting into the floor cleaning business and just go straight flood work. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on equipment and marketing, I want to go after the biggest potential return on my investment.
Thanks for the advice.

You said going after the biggest return investment. You live in a University town. Have you looked at the numbers on specializing just on apartments? I would LOVE to have a few contracts with some of those apartment complexes over there. You could have 1 van specifically for just apartments and another for Residential homes, and it would be the same amount invested in all that water damage equipment, plus, you won't get emergency calls at 3 am on CAT3 shit water

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Hey Matt, we're going to SFS this Feb.
I started cleaning carpets, etc. in the late 80's and did it for quite a while. Had all the certs including MTC, but let them lapse.
My plan is to sub out any cleaning that is needed after the dry out, so maybe we can do some business together. Also, we might be able to help you on larger WD losses. I'm buying a lot of equipment. We need to have lunch some time and talk it over. Always enjoy discussing the biz with others.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Matt, I didn't clean apartments when I was in the business. Snooty high end type.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Matt, I didn't clean apartments when I was in the business. Snooty high end type.

I strongly suggest you getting into it in your area. It is so much less stressful and just as profitable I feel than insurance jobs. Take my opinion like a grain of salt, because I've never been on an adjuster's list of contractors, and I just do very minor water damage jobs. I've just talked to friends in both insurance and water damage businesses.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Well, there is definitely a need for a professional cleaner here. I've hired 3 different companies to clean my carpets in the last couple of years and they were all just spray and suck guys. All have pretty good businesses. None knew how to get stains out, until I told them how.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Hey, is Goodyear(?) still in Toccoa? I believe that was his last name. Was in a cert class with him around 94. Seemed like a nice guy.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Well, there is definitely a need for a professional cleaner here. I've hired 3 different companies to clean my carpets in the last couple of years and they were all just spray and suck guys. All have pretty good businesses. None knew how to get stains out, until I told them how.

I've heard the same from a couple of my friends who live in that area. I'm not saying that it's twice as good to clean carpet vs. water damage only. I've just seen the overhead cost of expenses to be much higher.
@Desk Jockey , what's your input? What would you do if you had to start from scratch like Stevie Bs.

But Stevie, if you are still going to go full force into the Restoration, keep in touch. I have a good friend in your town that's an adjuster and can hook you up with some jobs and connections once you're fully prepared

 

[BIG WOOD]

Hey, is Goodyear(?) still in Toccoa? I believe that was his last name. Was in a cert class with him around 94. Seemed like a nice guy.

HOLY CRAP YOU'RE OLD! LOL. He trained me to clean carpet in the late 90's. I was a hack, but if it wasn't for him,I wouldn't be typing this right now.

He's still in the business, but mainly into Janitorial and Pressure washing. Carpet cleaning is only about 10% of his main business. He's a great guy. You mustve been in class with him over at Dixie Steamway in Alabama

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Yep.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

I'm 56 years old. Starting this business for my son who is 20.

 

[BIG WOOD]

I just saw your thread on Sewage Loss. This is the #1 reason I won't get into Restoration. Insurance adjusters are just like any other customer. When you're their go-to guy, they'll flood you with business. If you turn down work just because you don't like it, they'll boot you off their list.
Serv-pro has that area. I know this from my good friend who's the adjuster. He's been an adjuster over there for 10years. I talk to him all the time about stuff like this, and that's how I've decided not to invest in Restoration.
I'm not saying you can't compete with them. What I'm saying is , that you can't be picky when you first get into this type of work. Keep in mind, you live in a party city. Ton's of overflowed toilets with poo is going on in all those dorms and apartments

I really think you should consider starting in carpet cleaning and then while you've got the customer base up, start getting in to the Restoration if the cleaning isn't good enough for return. You'll be able to pick and choose your jobs, because your property manager/residential customer will call you before the adjuster does, if you keep in touch with them on your list of services.

 

[BIG WOOD]

I'm 56 years old. Starting this business for my son who is 20.

What's your son's opinion on it?

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

He is an exceptional young man. Goal oriented, hard working and ambitious. At 20 he owns a late model BMW and a 72 Corvette that he paid for himself with money he made in sports memorabilia on ebay. He will be successful at what ever he does.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Started when he was 10.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Started when he was 10.

I've got 3 more years before my son turns 10. He'll be right behind me, maybe in front, at that age cleaning carpet.