Wanting To Get Into Duct Cleaning..> Need advice

I would also like to see some info on this. I get postcards from Rotovac every month, the same postcard, advertising the same machine. I'd like to get it as an add-on service but I want to find some training somewhere first. People are going to want their furnace vents cleaned out and such and I'm not sure how to navigate complicated ductwork either.
I just dont want to take this on until I know I can do a decent professional job of it. I need training!

www.nadca.com is the trade association

I have done a bit of duct cleaning in the past, and you can make some good money doing it but it also depends on who else is doing it in you area. We use equipment from air care, and I remember the average job 10-12 openings taking between 4-6 hours. Personally I would rather clean carpets then air ducts but that is just me. I would find out who does it in your area and how much they charge, that way you can decide it it is worth it for you. My only thought is that if your going to clean air ducts get the good equipment and get trained.

When I had my Michigan office we started doing ducts, but we had truckmounted equipment. In two weeks of advertising we where booked up every week. One in the am and one in the pm

I advertise for 14 vents and one system $349.95
the avg job was a little higher at $425

If you have basements its worth it, if crawl space and attic units, well it sucks

Duct cleaning if done right can be profitable, we carpet cleaners like to call it an add on but when your doing it correctly its not something that you can just schedule in with the rest of the days job, a two man crew will take about 2 to 4 hrs. As mention Abatement technologies neg air machines or something along that principle is the correct kind of equipment. roto brush will work fine for residential but it gets hung up in the ducts and will rip flex. I will say this the Ram air systems is not worth the 1k they advertise for you can put it together your self at home depot for about 100 to 200 dollars

I have an employee that has experience in duct cleaning and wants me to buy a Biltwel Boss. We would do mostly residential ducts....seems like a bit of overkill to me. What is the best/economical system that works? Not looking for a cheap way...just not sure I need to spend that kind of money.

I get a flyer from rotobrush an they want $15,000.00
for their equipment. Not worth IMO. I see ads for $25.00
for 5 ducts vents because they can'tget any work! I would
add another service before duct cleaning.
Nick

I see same ads for carpet cleaning, does that mean there is no work?

Let me say this, as a test we uploaded 1 page on our website and goolge places listing to check demand about 10 months ago. well we now have more request for estimates for ducts then tile/grout, demand is definitely there. I wanna do it right though so am not going to start until this winter, trying to be patient and get it right the first time

$15000 for the system Oh wow, how soon before you make that money back. I have had a few friends have their ducts cleaned and felt it was a big ripoff. I havent looked into it as yet but its not on my radar since I am only 5 months into my biz.

I sold my setup years ago because as a solo act it is very difficult to do with floorcare(time wise).For residential if you want to do it right you really should go with a gas powered unit.You can get away with electric on commercial because most of the time you can drill little access holes(then plug them)and clean smaller sections at a time.On residential you should cut an access in the plenum where all the lines meet,put your 8 to 10" hose in,now you have a system running backwards(this is why you need the cfm of a large gas portable or a truckmount)kinda like a central vac.Now you run brushes from the furthest vent back(close the other vents as this will help with vac)and follow behind with air sweeps.A very vital tool also is a camera,to show before and after and to aid in the best cleaning possible, and as a tool to show people how dirty their system is(helps land jobs).Those guys doing ducts for 79.00 for a whole house are pulling the vent off and vacuuming in about 2ft,its really a scam.So,if you get into it and have someone to help and you would like to do it right,then this is the way to go.

With the rotobrush you get, like a portable too, for 15k ... tho i certainly are not recommending them. Here is a link to an ebay auction where he is selling a used rotobrush but even at this price it prolly too much for what you get.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-ROTOBRUSH-ROTO-VISION-/230508518317?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

PS ... 15k's help pay for all those post cards and full page ads the place.

View attachment Diversification%20-%20Air%20Duct%20Cleaning[1].pdf Let me see if I can attach the file I want on duct cleaning.

whats the price on this system scott??

Likely you would already have a truckmopunt if you are considering the Ram Air system (or at least a powerful portable). The Ram Air system - which includes several hundred dollars worth of marketing materials - costs a little less than $1000. Expect to pay $300 to $500 for air compressor and hose if you don't have this already available. So the total will be close to $1500.