Question for multi truck guys...

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

And in all fairness if not for TMF I prob would have grown to many more trucks. So I can't comment on 7,10,20 or more trucks. I know here in my area there are 3 companies that have large multi-truck operations. One is SS and they do in the multi-millions each franchise. Peerless,which was a Rainbow franchise he has about 30 trucks and does quite well. lastly,Proclean a 15 truck operation who says he lost his hair and health dealing with employees,breakdowns and theft.

But he has popped two 700k wd jobs that rocketed him out of debt and I saw he doubled the size of his home. But he is always busy with NO spare time. So I don't think there is any wrong course if one is willing to outlay the time and persistence needed. They can all be successful but at what cost? Some can handle the stress,some can't. Knowing thyself is important. Just my 2 cents.

ahhhaahaa , when I first read that I thought you said "hair and teeth".

Man I hit the floor laughing..lmao

then i say you said "hair & health".

Hair part is still funny, not the health tho..hope hes ok

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

All I know is that running that many crews in my early 30's got me fat, out of shape at 280lbs, high blood pressure, and I drank alot.

Hopefully in My venture to get up to 2-3 trucks I still get to freedom I did as an O/O to do the things I enjoy

spending My night with My arms and legs wrapped around men teeheehee

jk - no homo

 

[Approved Carpet Care]

Love this post, may not make 10k pages like 212.0 but chalk full of good ish. I'm curious to how long it took each of you to take these next steps. Just finishing my second year, I'm still trying to find the right helper that I can make a tech.

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

Lets use @crash1big as an example to show the difference

Just for argument;s sake we will compare 2 operations.
A. truckmount mike- 1 truck
B. multi-truck matt- 3
Both NET the same around $70k year and work around same hours m-f 9am -5pm.

Ok, so whats the difference?

1. Lifestyle- truckmount mike HAS to work every single hour to make money, no workie no monies.
Matt on the other hand should only have 1 bad day a week, most days he sends crews out.
Then answers phone couple times, checks on his crew, plays video games in between....

Then he forwards his calls to cell phone and meets wife for lunch.
Hangs out rest of afternoon working casually then has a big rush at the end of the day when crews come back.

2. EBIDTA- earnings before taxes
Truckmount mike nets $70k and has no write offs. Pays full taxes so in bank = $55k
Matt- has 3 trucks so every year at least 1 of them is under write off. Pays 0 or very little taxes= $68k in bank

3. Selling out- Its simple supply/demand when it comes time to sell
Even though they each Net similar amounts of money matt's business is far more marketable to the general public. Anybody can do his job.
Mike is pretty much stuck selling to someone already in biz. or wants to buy a job.

Matt will sell for far more money, guaranteed.
He just has a larger pool of people who want to have that lifestyle.

Nothing wrong with making 70K. Especially if you don't have to be on the truck to make it. That said, if I made that, I would need food stamps. You are way off.

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Nothing wrong with making 70K. Especially if you don't have to be on the truck to make it. That said, if I made that, I would need food stamps. You are way off.

Cali vs Buffalo

Night & day cost of living.

70k net won't swing it in cali

In Georgia, that's good money overall

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

Cali vs Buffalo

Night & day cost of living.

70k net won't swing it in cali

In Georgia, that's good money overall

Bakersfield, Modesto....maybe. Wine country?....

 

[Steve Toburen]

Just finishing my second year, I'm still trying to find the right helper that I can make a tech.

David, I'm not going to get into the battle between the different business models. But I strongly suggest you do a little "courting" of any new hire. HERE is what we recommend at SFS.

Steve

PS Another very valuable trick is to hire part time people in the beginning. This takes the pressure off of you to ramp up your business so fast and avoids you feeling obligated to give full time employees "busy work".

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

The whole "hiring" process in and of itself has the same demands on capital whether full time or part time.

I suggest folks "share opportunities" with other local trusted small operations.

Immediately eliminates the carrying cost overhead burden of growth, as well as the downside risk

Nevermind all the burdensome associated legal compliances

 

[Kipp]

The whole "hiring" process in and of itself has the same demands on capital whether full time or part time.

I suggest folks "share opportunities" with other local trusted small operations.

Immediately eliminates the carrying cost overhead burden of growth, as well as the downside risk

Nevermind all the burdensome associated legal compliances

Hiring and training expense is one of the most overlooked expenses

• Hiring ads
• Trainer and trainee compensation
• Lost revenue from learning curve
• Hiring mistakes

 

[Kipp]

Here's the answer to this thread

It's not a debate of one or the other, simply put if you can't wrap your mind around how and why a multi truck operation could benefit you then your not meant to be one.

Everything isn't for everyone

 

[Steve Toburen]

Here's the answer to this thread

It's not a debate of one or the other, simply put if you can't wrap your mind around how and why a multi truck operation could benefit you then your not meant to be one.

Everything isn't for everyone

And that's OK.

Steve

PS I would only add that just because you have chosen one path it doesn't mean you have to put down or make fun of other equally successful entrepreneurs who have chosen a different business model.

But of course the "drama" is what brings us back to Rob and Tre's little world here. Carry on...

 

[Kipp]

Of course it's okay I'm not dogging anyone ... I was an O/O and loved everyday of it

 

[Harry Mullett]

Lets use @crash1big
3. Selling out- Its simple supply/demand when it comes time to sell
Even though they each Net similar amounts of money matt's business is far more marketable to the general public. Anybody can do his job.
Mike is pretty much stuck selling to someone already in biz. or wants to buy a job.

Matt will sell for far more money, guaranteed.
He just has a larger pool of people who want to have that lifestyle.

The selling of a business is an unknown factor, a lot of blue sky wishing and hoping when the time comes. I am not so sure it will be easier to sale larger operation as an O/O. An O/O could sale to a competitor for a couple of hundred k and be ok.

Saleing a larger operation may actually be more difficult. What person that has $1M or can get financing for $1M is going to want to purchase a carpet cleaning business? They would rather buy something that is more easily scaleable with less labor involved. And more glamorous to talk about at cocktail parties and dinner events.

We don't have a lot of examples of successful sales of larger carpet cleaning businesses to compare. Even @aloha one 's deal fell apart after 8 months his company is gone and he is not getting paid.

We have to look at the amount of energy expended to accomplish our financial goals. That is where diversity comes in. I don't mean adding window washing to your carpet cleaning business plan I mean getting assets.

And that is why I chose to build my other investments in rental properties, and a little dabbling in stocks. While I enjoy the freedom of a smaller carpet cleaning business.

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

Recently a WELL respected & reputable OO that i look up to, tried to sell his biz (list). Hes retiring & moving outta state. This guy spent 15 years serving a local market & his customers are religiously loyal.

I was interested. Asked him how much

He said 70k. I said cool

I told him...

Year 1 - you keep phones & get x% of his business sales.

Year 2 - you keep phones & get x% of sales

Year 3 - I get phones he gets paid off.

Essentially an "earn out".

He said no & wanted all $ up front.

I told him to kick rocks

 

[Harry Mullett]

Recently a WELL respected & reputable OO that i look up to, tried to sell his biz (list). This guy spend 15 years serving a local market & his customers are religiously loyal.

I was interested. Asked him how much

He said 70k. I said cool

Year 1 - you keep phones & get x% of his business sales.

Year 2 - you keep phones & get x% of sales

Year 3 - I get phones he gets paid off.

Essentially an "earn out".

He said no & wanted all $ up front.

I told him to kick rocks

REALITY right there !

 

[212.0]

lol

Only reason katz have an problem form an extended down time is lack of planning.

I say you need not go ballz deep into a multi truck opz for security.

Just find you a trusted fella with w a white van and throw him work from time to time.

when the poo hits the fan...throw him more than usual.

chit really aint' that complicated

You really think you know everything don't you?

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

You really think you know everything don't you?

Even when I'm wrong, I'm Never in doubt

 

[shane deubell]

Nothing wrong with making 70K. Especially if you don't have to be on the truck to make it. That said, if I made that, I would need food stamps. You are way off.

I tried to explain to you like 50k times now....

Cost of living, you have to make double or triple what I make or 99% of the other posters.
My gawd, your house would go for about $100k here.

That doesnt sink in for some reason.

 

[shane deubell]

And diversification. I don't mean adding another service business. Something with assets.

Definitely agree, although i am scratching rental properties off the list.

Tenants are no easier then employees....
Had enough after 8 years. Not for me!!!

 

[Six Figure Solo Cleaner]

I tried to explain to you like 50k times now....

Cost of living, you have to make double or triple what I make or 99% of the other posters.
My gawd, your house would go for about $100k here.

That doesnt sink in for some reason.