®®® Tips and Tricks!

[Spencer]

I wanted to start a tips and tricks thread. All of us use different things to make are job easier, faster and that give us lower operating costs. The Fels-Naptha tip was one of the best I've ever used. Well I'm going to start this thread off with this tip. I have more to add if everyone participates.

To cover my quick connects and protect wood floors from getting scratched and from the heat. I cut 6 inch sections of a swimming noodle that are already slit down one side. They are very easy to slide over and take off the quick connects. They work great for protection and are very cheap to replace when they get worn out or dirty. I buy noodles that are my company colors.

I'll go ahead and add one more. This one is for Pre-vacuuming a home. I keep a cheap box of fabric softener sheets in my van. I put a sheet in my vac canister before I start. It puts off a much better smell in the house when you pre-vac and have not had time to properly clean your vac between houses.

 

[rob allen]

Nice tips.:AddEmoticons0423:

I like the neat,clean and well logo'd van. And great website too Spencer.

*Spencer and everyone else, posting pics would be helpful too!*

 

[Spencer]

Nice tips.:AddEmoticons0423:

I like the neat,clean and well logo'd van. And great website too Spencer.

Thank you for the nice comments. Thank you also for the Fels-Naptha tip. Makes my life much easier!:bigsmiley:

 

[Bobby]

I'll add one, if you run into old paint especially oil based trim type, ink and other difficult spots of similar contents PVC cleaner will make short work of it, the clear kind just rub a little with the applicater attaced and it breaks it down faster than anything I've tried. Plus by using the attatched applicater you wont have to worry about getting to much down and possibly damaging the backing. I got this tip from a guy who does apartment maitenance.

 

[Patrick_Healey]

I can see this thread is going to help me a lot the noodle idea is amazing!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[wandwizard]

Handiest thing I've ever found

If you use a Grandi Groom and want to make it easier to use you might want to check out Stout's Back Saver Grip. I decided after grooming a large church auditorium that I needed some kind of handle similar to those used on a wand so I scoured the internet and found this grip. I love this thing and it's really cheap and very durable. Can be used for hoes, rakes, shovels, etc. too. These things are not marketed to carpet cleaners at all, but if you have a Grandi Groom, trust me, you will love it.http://www.backsavergrip.com/ and http://www.wholesalecentral.com/mercan0001/store.cfm?event=itemdetail&itemid=248986

 

[rob allen]

One of the best tips I got last year was buy a Flip video recorder. (About 175 bucks) I did and I love it. I take it everywhere. I use it for business and personal. It is fantastic for recording water damage jobs and to record problems. And great for empty homes to send problems to homeowners where you can possibly make more money with repairs and other services.
It has made me a lot of money for going under homes to show customers crawl space issues. A movie speaks volumes. What's cool about it is the software is built in for making the movie, sending it via e-mail and downloading to Youtube. You can even take pictures right off the movies. It's small , the size of a cell phone. It is priceless! Here is a sample clip of my grandson wanting to do sparklers. Enjoy!


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKT_Bp9Teo"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]


PS:You can also post any problem or issue you run into here to share. I have done this many times and got quick, concise accurate answers. It's a proven moneymaker!!!

*** Go with the Flip Mino regular version, NOT the high definition version.

 

[SDSinc]

Rob, based on your ravings about the Flip I bought my wife one for valentines and man we both love it! Wow.


My tip is less technical ...I target very high end homes and I write 90% of my estimates in person. I bring along my 'dog and poney show' book. The first thing I do is hand it to the customer while I measure out and write the estimate. My book is a three ring binder and in it the first page is a copy of my buissness lisence, the second page is my insurance certificate, the following pages are letters of referance from customers and the last few pages are before and after photos. My close rate in person is about 100%.

 

[Lefty724]

Rob, based on your ravings about the Flip I bought my wife one for valentines and man we both love it! Wow.


My tip is less technical ...I target very high end homes and I write 90% of my estimates in person. I bring along my 'dog and poney show' book. The first thing I do is hand it to the customer while I measure out and write the estimate. My book is a three ring binder and in it the first page is a copy of my buissness lisence, the second page is my insurance certificate, the following pages are letters of referance from customers and the last few pages are before and after photos. My close rate in person is about 100%.

Great idea Rick!! That's being 100% professional.

Great thread Spencer! Being new to the trade we can really benefit from a thread like this. Thanks again

 

[Buster123]

Ok guys here's my tip....before i start every job I put down moving pads on the hard wood outside of the rooms I clean and at the bottom of the stairs im cleaning.(the same pads/blankets that movers use to rap furniture) I also use them to protect walls and corners from pulling hoses. These pads are are very thick so you can protect just about anything with them. I also use them when Im cleaning couches on hardwood floors. Just put the blanket down on the floor and place the couch or chair on top and your ready to clean without worry of over spray or scratches. You can find these pads online at moving supplies stores, home depot, or storage facilities. Im telling you, give it a shot, you will never use a regular drop cloth again.

 

[Buster123]

Oh buy the way, I like that noodle idea! Going to give it a try. Thanks Spencer!!

 

[admin]

Just to let everyone know I am going to have to reduce the lines for signatures. They are taking up to much bandwith, so if people see some of their signatures removed, the system did it and just re-do your signature.

 

[Spencer]

Ok guys here's my tip....before i start every job I put down moving pads on the hard wood outside of the rooms I clean and at the bottom of the stairs im cleaning.(the same pads/blankets that movers use to rap furniture) I also use them to protect walls and corners from pulling hoses. These pads are are very thick so you can protect just about anything with them. I also use them when Im cleaning couches on hardwood floors. Just put the blanket down on the floor and place the couch or chair on top and your ready to clean without worry of over spray or scratches. You can find these pads online at moving supplies stores, home depot, or storage facilities. Im telling you, give it a shot, you will never use a regular drop cloth again.

If you can find a ROOMS TO GO truck making a delivery or stopped somewhere for lunch. The guys on the truck will give you all the furniture blankets you want just to get them out of their way. I have done this numerous times. I use them for a lot of different things. Trust me. They will be more than happy to give them to you!

 

[Bobby]

Rick the binder idea is exactly what I have been planning to do, all the things you mention and also photos of my cleaning process step by step. Tell us exactly what you have in yours because the market that you target is the same as where I'm trying to go.

 

[BW Carpet Cleaning]

Hey Bobby,
The PVC cleaner that you mentioned, is it just a clear version of the primer that one would use before putting pipe together? If so, I've only seen it in purple but I plan to go look for clear right away. I definitely don't want to get something entirely different that what you're talking about though. Do you happen to remember a name brand?

As for tips, I wish I had something to contribute. The one thing that has been good for us is the binder thing mentioned above. I go buy 10 to 20 1/2" binders and some Print Works Photo Paper. I copy my company logo onto that along with our contact info and slide the logo sheet into the front. Inside I have the sheet protectors with the same type of things that Rick puts in his. There is also a letter explaining our company and a sheet that has our prices and the steps we will use for every carpet we clean.

Then my business partner and I go around to property management companies and apartment complexes and hand out these binders. It costs about $4 to make a binder but is more memorable and a little harder to lose than a business card. I hate cold calling/ knocking but at least this way, when we do get one, it's usually good for 3-4 jobs a week.

I was going to try to show a picture of how they look but they are only on my phone and computer and don't have a URL

 

[Bobby]

Yes Aron it is clear it says pvc cleaner on the can the first time I went to get some I got the wrong thing just look at the label good.

 

[rob allen]

Hey Bobby,
The PVC cleaner that you mentioned, is it just a clear version of the primer that one would use before putting pipe together? If so, I've only seen it in purple but I plan to go look for clear right away. I definitely don't want to get something entirely different that what you're talking about though. Do you happen to remember a name brand?

As for tips, I wish I had something to contribute. The one thing that has been good for us is the binder thing mentioned above. I go buy 10 to 20 1/2" binders and some Print Works Photo Paper. I copy my company logo onto that along with our contact info and slide the logo sheet into the front. Inside I have the sheet protectors with the same type of things that Rick puts in his. There is also a letter explaining our company and a sheet that has our prices and the steps we will use for every carpet we clean.

Then my business partner and I go around to property management companies and apartment complexes and hand out these binders. It costs about $4 to make a binder but is more memorable and a little harder to lose than a business card. I hate cold calling/ knocking but at least this way, when we do get one, it's usually good for 3-4 jobs a week.

I was going to try to show a picture of how they look but they are only on my phone and computer and don't have a URL

Aaron you can download them at Photobucket and then post the url. Or you could hit manage attachments when making a reply. then it will download straight from the pc.
Rob.

 

[SDSinc]

My binder has my logo and name, phone number on the front. I have all the pages laminated. The first page is a copy of my buissness license, the second page is a copy of my insurance cetificate that shows I have 2 million in liability and workmans comp, pages three - five are all letters of referance from customers, pages six- eight are 8 and 1/2 x 11 full color before and after pics of carpet, tile and a sofa, and the last page is my refferal reward program expalined.

I would be careful about being to wordy or having to many pages. Remember you have already made the sale, your in the home! but you are just trying to close the sale with the max $$$$. I find the book ads a level of professionalisum that when I hand them that bid/estimate and its $50.00 more than the last guy was they know that money is going to be well spent.

 

[Bluevictory]

i forget where i heard this but when you spot after hwe u need to make several dry passes or better put out a small airmover to dry the area before u apply the spotting product. because a wet saturated carpet does not allow enough penetration of the product.

 

[Matt Strader]

Well I thought about making a patent for this, but I figure you all have given some great tips so... This is not a tip but rather a self made product that has made my life easier. I have a fresh water tank that I use, but mostly I use a hose that has 3/8" fittings to attach directly to the Truck Mount. This can be a hassle to drag out if the house I'm cleaning already has a hose hooked up. So I took a 3"-4" (length) piece of 3/8" hose and connected a same size male to one end and a garden hose hook up at the other, used hose clamps to tighten them and viola, no more lugging out the 50' of hose and wrapping and unwrapping it just to hook up to "Their already hooked up hose."