@Derrick and anyone else who might have some info here.
I won’t lie, I’m pretty darn awesome at cleaning carpets. I was the lead carpet tech at my previous employment, but since I’ve branched off on my own I had to cut that out completely due to the expense of getting started.
Is there any place you recommend for affordable used truck mounts, (van and all). Some people have recommended I start with a portable but I refuse, they definitely have their place but I hate them!
I’m not quite ready to jump back into carpets but I’d like to start planning for it.
Cool that ya was a carpet tech. What company did you work for?
As for getting tm and van, either save or get a equipment loan for used stuff. There are plenty of setup under $20k for sale if ya check out carpet cleaning barter and sales on Facebook. Just look around. Get to hustling.
As for portable, that is what i started out with and used over 3 years. I dont have much love for it. Still, its responsible for adding $200 and more to the ticket. That’s why i am rarely under $500 a day. Portable is definitely an easy way to get started and significantly cheaper. But you do what ya gotta do
Now i am buying a used 2001 express van with a completely rebuilt TM. New Kohlr 29 hp with new 47 blower and 3500psi pump and 120 gallon waste tank. I am stoked. Finding that van was just good timing for the price i am getting.
Jack, I am carpet cleaner turned window cleaner. I sold my carpet cleaning business almost two years ago. I had a top of the line Butler with 2.5” hose, 210 gallon fresh water with a Kinetico softener, 200 gallon waste, I cleaned with extremely high flow and got amazing results. I had all the latest toys like the Zipper… Relocated to a small coastal city where it rains all the time. No way I would run a porty or TM here. So I got rid of my bias and now only use low moisture systems. Basically doing what these guys are doing https://naturaldry.com/. Compact equipment and really works well. The trick is knowing when to use the compound in conjunction with the encap. If your market is small, it’s a great path.
1 Like
I know the owner of natural dry very well. I employ the exact same method as them.i am 90% VLM via CRB/compound and sometime the 175 if needed. And 10% HWE because i do quiet bit of TnG and i need higher pressure and flow to clean em.
1 Like
Yes, once you don’t let ego get in the way, it opens lot’s of possibilities. I really like what those guys are doing. I don’t post much on MB, but I still check it out.
Yeah i am active on Mikey’s Board. I go by DAT
Not sure if this was meant in response to my initial comment, I’m not exactly egotistical about it, I just know what I’m good at. Sorry if I came across that way.
Thanks guys for your responses.
@Derrick I was lead tech for 2 yrs at service master. Their products stink, I prefer others but I made it work. I worked for another local place before then, that’s how I got started with window cleaning.
Sorry man, no. Your ego is the good kind! Proud of high quality work! I meant regarding methods. I was a big TM guy only, and resistant to low moisture. But know I love what low moisture can do and see it as the future.
1 Like
Ok, cool man, didn’t mean to take that the wrong way.