To invest in a truckmount or to not invest in a truckmount...

[authenticentrepreneur]

I figure (not including trailer/vehicle) that I can start my carpet cleaning business for around 5K if I do not use a truckmount.

Of course the job will take me twice as long but I can start out with that and see how it goes (perhaps buy a truckmount later).

Please be honest: am I right or wrong?

 

[FredC]

People have done it.......many times.

 

[sassyotto]

i think thats how many of us have started

 

[Mikey P]

You'll get one eventually, if you can swing it now just do it...

 

[Desk Jockey]

It will allow you to be more productive which should relate to more money in your pocket per job. It should also allow you to offer more services. Tile and grout, upholstery cleaning, pressure washing if you buy a bigger unit.

 

[Mikey P]

get an OP too


20% of your demographic just needs spots removed....

 

[Pioneer Floorcare]

Start with just a used OP and some good chems from Damon at the “Encap Store”. $2500 gets you up and running, leaving you $2500 to start a website and business cards

 

[authenticentrepreneur]

It will allow you to be more productive which should relate to more money in your pocket per job. It should also allow you to offer more services. Tile and grout, upholstery cleaning, pressure washing if you buy a bigger unit.

I think I could do upholstery cleaning cleaning without a truckmount, correct?

 

[Desk Jockey]

I think I could do upholstery cleaning cleaning without a truckmount, correct?

Yes and you can also do a pretty effective job of carpet cleaning without a tm too. Cleaning upholstery with a TM and dry tool can be less risky and provide superior results too.

 

[authenticentrepreneur]

Yes and you can also do a pretty effective job of carpet cleaning without a tm too. Cleaning upholstery with a TM and dry tool can be less risky and provide superior results too.

With an efficient truckmount and with offering many services, how much after say 2 years as an owner operator (only myself) do you think I could be pulling in per year?

 

[Desk Jockey]

With an efficient truckmount and with offering many services, how much after say 2 years as an owner operator (only myself) do you think I could be pulling in per year?

You could be filthy rich or broke as a joke.

Unfortunately it's not the equipment that will determine which way you would go. You are the determining factor. A tm can give you more confidence but to truly capitalize on your ability with a tm, you need the work to keep that machine running.

A new tm without a steady stream of work will only give you a headstart on closing your doors.

 

[BIG WOOD]

A trailer with a good portable will be a decent setup for starting up. But in the future, when you want to upgrade to a truckmount: You'll need to budget swapping over to a van. For your cold region, just pulling the trailer to your job with not heat in it, has a risk of freeze damage. You can turn the heat on in the van while you're driving, but there's no heat circulating in that trailer on that 30min drive to work.

On your first few years, get a squeegee and clean some windows to help with cash flow. It's not big money, but it's more profit and can help. Get a window cleaning route at all the small stores and that extra $150-$300/day can help during the first rough few years. I ended up hating cleaning windows, because my carpet cleaning got too busy and just didn't work anymore, but I cleaned windows for over 7 of my first years. It helped

 

[FB7777]

You could be filthy rich or broke as a joke.

Unfortunately it's not the equipment that will determine which way you would go. You are the determining factor. A tm can give you more confidence but to truly capitalize on your ability with a tm, you need the work to keep that machine running.

A new tm without a steady stream of work will only give you a headstart on closing your doors.

Great advice

the dipshit truckmount sales reps will insist “if you build it they will come”


its actually the reverse

 

[Meter Maid]

I did the VLM only thing for several years before I bought a truckmount. I was part time and it worked out pretty well, but I can’t imagine doing this full-time without a truckmount. It’s just so much more efficient.

I’d probably rather use an OP machine and do VLM rather than use a portable though.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I did the VLM only thing for several years before I bought a truckmount. I was part time and it worked out pretty well, but I can’t imagine doing this full-time without a truckmount. It’s just so much more efficient.

I’d probably rather use an OP machine and do VLM rather than use a portable though.

Especially in those cold winter months up North. Plus it won't be wasted equipment when you do get a tm. Low moisture is great for commercial carpet cleaning and high rise where extended hose runs become impractical.

 

[hogjowl]

Don’t listen to the pad/VLM salesmen
Mikey included

 

[Meter Maid]

Don’t listen to the pad/VLM salesmen
Mikey included

Shhhhhh... you’re not helping.

 

[Meter Maid]

Marty is the grumpy old man that you can’t help but love, because he’s essentially disabled at this point. You’ll learn to love his personality, even though it’s useless.

 

[Mikey P]

He just doesn't understand

 

[FB7777]

Marty is the grumpy old man that you can’t help but love, because he’s essentially disabled at this point. You’ll learn to love his personality, even though it’s useless.

X2

 

[hogjowl]

You love me Boyle?
Who knew?

 

[Desk Jockey]

You love me Boyle?
Who knew?

Get a room yous twos!

 

[Meter Maid]

You love me Boyle?
Who knew?

Who’s Boyle?

 

[Papa John]

I think I could do upholstery cleaning cleaning without a truckmount, correct?

The most important part of cleaning Upholstery or area rugs IS-- TRAINING AND EDUCATION!

There are two types of cleaners-- Those who have bought customer's damaged furniture and THOSE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY.

 

[hogjowl]

Just another pretender

 

[Papa John]

I ask this in the kindest way possible---

Have you done physically demanding work in the past?
How are you at handling difficult or complaining customers?
Do you have the honesty to pay up for your mistakes?

 

[Hack Attack]

get an OP too


20% of your demographic just needs spots removed....

for someone with experience? yes

for someone starting out? no

not for residential anyway

 

[DAT]

Don’t listen to the pad/VLM salesmen
Mikey included

 

[Hack Attack]

my porty grossed me $500 today and will gross another $250 tomorrow



right tool for the job, admittedly I hope not to roll it out again in a hurry

 

[Willy P]

my porty grossed me $500 today and will gross another $250 tomorrow

View attachment 103739

right tool for the job, admittedly I hope not to roll it out again in a hurry

Buy a new top for that recovery tank and mount another vacuum motor on it. You'll suck dust off the moon.