First Post... Looking for advice

[NewToCleaning]

I know parts of this has been asked/stated from different posters before but I couldn’t find any specific current info on the subjects (within the last 3 years). So bear with me as I explain my position. I want to start a floor/carpet cleaning business. I am relatively young (23 years old) & have a stable construction job. I mentioned this because given my situation I am in no hurry currently to start this business. As of now, I am just trying to learn all the relevant information possible before I begin this journey. I want to do things the right way & my vision is on day 1 to have a 1 man business (just myself) that appears reputable & has the ability to compete in high value residential jobs in my area. I have a degree in accounting & marketing so I have a understanding on that side of the business (starting a LLC, website, advertising, etc.). My main questions have to do with what the bare minimum my physical setup and costs will need to be to achieve this. With this beginning set up I only need the ability to clean the common types of floor I will see throughout a house so carpet, wood, tile, ect. From what I have learned from this forum & other places on the internet, a TM (porty won’t suffice) & a van, are essential to deliver the quality I am looking for (for my target market). However, I want this setup to be as affordable & efficient as possible. That being said, what specific equipment (TM, hoses, ect.) & chemicals do those who have more knowledge than me recommended? & whats a general guess as to what the cost of all this would be? Again I am trying to do this as affordable as possible but at the same time not cut any corners. I am handy but by no means a mechanic so does new TM sound like the best investment for me? What equipment would I definitely be able to get used to save money? I don't need top of the line equipment just something to start me off until hopefully I can reinvest my profits for better equipment & grow my business.

Well if you took the time to read all that I just want to say thank you. Any answers / feedback / recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ACP]

If your branding is excellent and your very good at marketing you can be successful without a TM.

 

[NewToCleaning]

If your branding is excellent and your very good at marketing you can be successful without a TM.

My target market would expect the best quality possible though (over a million dollar homes).. & part of my brand would be the quality of my service.. also it appears TM is just superior in terms of time consumption also which is an added benefit

 

[ACP]

My target market would expect the best quality possible though (over a million dollar homes).. & part of my brand would be the quality of my service.. also it appears TM is just superior in terms of time consumption also which is an added benefit

Pretty much, hard to beat as far as image goes which is huge in this industry.

You can clean as well with a portable it just takes longer and you won't look as good doing it.

Basically you want to distance yourself as far as you possibly can from the cheap dirty van guys and the DIY options... a really nice rig with a nice TM helps a lot with that.

 

[mrotto]

you CAN get a good used TM but you will have to weed out a ton of junk. Usually an Owner/Operator takes care of their truck rather than a fleet run company. Also ask for maintenance records.

I think it be best to give us a number you are comfortable spending and we can fill in what equipment would fit that number.

 

[NewToCleaning]

Pretty much, hard to beat as far as image goes which is huge in this industry.

You can clean as well with a portable it just takes longer and you won't look as good doing it.

Basically you want to distance yourself as far as you possibly can from the cheap dirty van guys and the DIY options... a really nice rig with a nice TM helps a lot with that.

I agree, like I said I’m trying to start it off right from day 1 so TM is really all I’m considering.. Just trying to figure out the best way to go about getting one that will be a worthy investment & not break under a year or 2

 

[NewToCleaning]

you CAN get a good used TM but you will have to weed out a ton of junk. Usually an Owner/Operator takes care of their truck rather than a fleet run company. Also ask for maintenance records.

I think it be best to give us a number you are comfortable spending and we can fill in what equipment would fit that number.

Where would be the best place to look for one? Craigslist? Ebay?.. I don’t have a max on my start up capital but ideally under 30k with everything included (van, TM, other equipment, advertising, ect.).. I would like to do it for less than that though as I don’t have a minimum of what I’m trying to spend either lol. Trying to have a quality service/product that is as cost efficient as possible. That being said I’m trying to be realistic & know I won’t be able to spend say 5k to start this the way I am trying to.

 

[chicagoside]

I know parts of this has been asked/stated from different posters before but I couldn’t find any specific current info on the subjects (within the last 3 years). So bear with me as I explain my position. I want to start a floor/carpet cleaning business. I am relatively young (23 years old) & have a stable construction job. I mentioned this because given my situation I am in no hurry currently to start this business. As of now, I am just trying to learn all the relevant information possible before I begin this journey. I want to do things the right way & my vision is on day 1 to have a 1 man business (just myself) that appears reputable & has the ability to compete in high value residential jobs in my area. I have a degree in accounting & marketing so I have a understanding on that side of the business (starting a LLC, website, advertising, etc.). My main questions have to do with what the bare minimum my physical setup and costs will need to be to achieve this. With this beginning set up I only need the ability to clean the common types of floor I will see throughout a house so carpet, wood, tile, ect. From what I have learned from this forum & other places on the internet, a TM (porty won’t suffice) & a van, are essential to deliver the quality I am looking for (for my target market). However, I want this setup to be as affordable & efficient as possible. That being said, what specific equipment (TM, hoses, ect.) & chemicals do those who have more knowledge than me recommended? & whats a general guess as to what the cost of all this would be? Again I am trying to do this as affordable as possible but at the same time not cut any corners. I am handy but by no means a mechanic so does new TM sound like the best investment for me? What equipment would I definitely be able to get used to save money? I don't need top of the line equipment just something to start me off until hopefully I can reinvest my profits for better equipment & grow my business.

Well if you took the time to read all that I just want to say thank you. Any answers / feedback / recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Little input from my side.
“With this beginning set up, carpet, tile, wood floor etc”
You dint mention your experience working in the cleaning field.
Anyway, i would recommend, find out what are you good at cleaning. The process of cleaning, tile and carpet(based on my experience) are similar, and upholstery done using same machine different tool, but the process hot water extraction is same. If you think you can get more carpet customers with little marketing or word of mouth then i would suggest to start doing that first and get going. Tile definitely need powerful equipments, truckmount is best for tile jobs.
I also just bought TM set up. I got answered all my questions on here through these experts gents on here. Stay connected with TMF.
Good luck