Owners with Truckmounts and Portables

06-27-2009, 12:20 AM

Do you owners charge more for high-rise condos, then the typical single family homes, when cleaning carpets? The reason I ask, is there more set up time involved with going up setting up to go up elevators, then setting up inside, and then to go back down? I just purchased a portable to do upholstery and go places I can't normally with my TM, and I just got a call for a high rise condo job. Any help would be appreciated.

**SuzukiRider** · 06-27-2009, 02:09 AM

I charge $10 extra on apartments where I have to run more than 150 feet of hose to reach it. It they want it done with the TM. If they do not care I drag the portable in and do the job. Some people care some people don't depends on your clientele.....

**M Ellis** · 06-27-2009, 03:36 AM

I don't charge any different.
The portable like encap is just another tool you have at your disposal to keep the dollars coming in.

Mick

**wandwizard** · 06-27-2009, 03:48 AM

I would definitely charge extra for the extra hassle if they insist on having it done with a truck mount. Where I live there is not a lot of buildings like this, but they are a pain to set up truck mount hoses in and it takes me quite a bit of extra time and work to get set up. I charged an extra 5 cents per sq. ft for the trouble. I either take my first hose run in and lower it over the outside balcony or haul them up by a rope from the outside. Plus I have to make usually several trips in and out of the building, up and down the elevators, then pull around to the outside where my hoses are just to get started. Once everything is set up it goes pretty much the same as any job, but just a lot more hassle to get started. If they allowed you to take a high powered portable up there I don't think I would charge extra for that, but you might want to reassure them that you will still do a high quality job that you guarantee they will be satisfied with if you encounter objections to that.

**SuzukiRider** · 06-27-2009, 02:00 PM

It is hard to convince some people that you can do a good job with a portable. So many hacks have ruined the good name of the portable high power extractor.

My chemicals work so well I could probably rinse with a rug doctor with fiber rinse in it and get amazing results.

**Jason Whaley** · 06-27-2009, 02:18 PM

Man I am lazy! If I can't use my truckmount I don't even want to pull out the old portable. I usually just pass it on to a guy I know that only uses a portable. It doesn't happen often that I cant use my TM. If I had a "high rise" contract I would break out the old portable but I wouldn't charge any differently.

**rjfdube** · 06-27-2009, 09:47 PM

I charge $10 per floor setup fee on top of stndrd rate. If I hve to got into a high rise it is only a one trip for me; 50foot hose over the handle, Heater on top, heater strapped to back, outlet adapter. I carry truck mount power up to the penthouse!!

06-28-2009, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by rjfdube

I charge $10 per floor setup fee on top of stndrd rate. If I hve to got into a high rise it is only a one trip for me; 50foot hose over the handle, Heater on top, heater strapped to back, outlet adapter. I carry truck mount power up to the penthouse!!

That's exactly what I was thinking. I was going through the scenario in my head about all the stuff I need to try and load up into the elevator one time if I can, and the setup time would definately increase, and my rate would need to increase as well. Thanks Ricky for that $10 per floor idea, that would make sense.

Does anyone happend to have a picture of how they roll out the portable, little giant, hoses, etc. into one cart or how you do it? Looking for idea to steal from you that would make things more productive in set up.

Thanks,
Eric

**mrpurified** · 06-28-2009, 02:09 AM

I don't charge extra for my porty , I just use it as another means of getting the job done and keep get the work
tm wont get in everywhere so I don't wont to turn it away
to me it work great and easy doing upholstery

mrpurified

**markp** · 06-28-2009, 02:17 AM

Well said Will!

**ketzclean0** · 06-30-2009, 09:52 PM

I agree with you.. Get an extra charges for an extra hassle..

**rjfdube** · 08-08-2009, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by rjfdube

I charge $10 per floor setup fee on top of stndrd rate. If I hve to got into a high rise it is only a one trip for me; 50foot hose over the handle, Heater on top, heater strapped to back, outlet adapter. I carry truck mount power up to the penthouse!!

Just to clarify; the $10 per floor rate applies to apartment building under 5 stories; as long as I can run hoses from te truck my rate for that size apartment plus $10 per floor I have to run hoses to get to job. BTW I did a hose run 3 days ago to 4th story; 200 foot to the door; I needed 75 foot in apartment but had 100 feet connected; had booster on last 50 feet. 1600 sqft apartment; I just couldn't resist using the Kero Heater; Well at least until I found the dog pee; then I remembered why I don't use high heat anymore in apartments!!! After I threw up on the pretreated carpet I had to clean it; Man my recovery tank stunk till I cleaned it at the car wash!!!

**floorguy_724** · 08-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by ericthered

That's exactly what I was thinking. I was going through the scenario in my head about all the stuff I need to try and load up into the elevator one time if I can, and the setup time would definately increase, and my rate would need to increase as well. Thanks Ricky for that $10 per floor idea, that would make sense.

Does anyone happend to have a picture of how they roll out the portable, little giant, hoses, etc. into one cart or how you do it? Looking for idea to steal from you that would make things more productive in set up.

Thanks,
Eric

I don't have any pics, but a good idea that I have used is this: Go down to home depot or smart an final and get your self a Brute garbage can with the little dolly attachment so you can roll it around. You can neatly wind up 50' of hose inside the can with the middle open, you can then put the rest of your stuff in the middle of the can like bucket, wand, pre spray, solution line, extension cord(s), rakes, etc.....

As far as the heater option, People would look at us kinda funny when we would roll the Little Giant heater up to the door, so we just bought an electric in-line heater instead for these rare times. I have found that the hotter the water (from sink, janitors closet) in the machine, the better the in-line heater works.

I've done this a couple of times for schools and business's where I could not reach with the Recoil mounted in the van. If you really need to, you can roll both the portable and can full of goods in one trip, just takes a little patience. I roll the can up first vac and prespray, then while the chems are dwelling grab the portable and set it up. Hope this helps! E

**Pat Carroll** · 08-09-2009, 09:17 PM

Well, my prices are listed on my website and I charge enough so that I will make profit no matter where I clean. So my answer is no, I don't charge extra for high rises.

**Frank DiGi** · 08-09-2009, 09:26 PM

Same here don't charge extra for high rises.. Some of the place's we do are bigger in size we get little more away.

**Rick Imby** · 08-24-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by rjfdube

Just to clarify; the $10 per floor rate applies to apartment building under 5 stories; as long as I can run hoses from te truck my rate for that size apartment plus $10 per floor I have to run hoses to get to job. BTW I did a hose run 3 days ago to 4th story; 200 foot to the door; I needed 75 foot in apartment but had 100 feet connected; had booster on last 50 feet. 1600 sqft apartment; I just couldn't resist using the Kero Heater; Well at least until I found the dog pee; then I remembered why I don't use high heat anymore in apartments!!! After I threw up on the pretreated carpet I had to clean it; Man my recovery tank stunk till I cleaned it at the car wash!!!

I laughed hard enough at this Ricky as I pictured you ralphing on freshly cleaned carpet. It must have really stunk. You made my day.

**Blind Dr** · 08-24-2009, 02:35 PM

I do not charge anything additional for high rise units. I agree with Alex that my chemicals do 80 percent of the work and my portable just adds the finishing touch.