How To Make Money By Starting a Carpet Cleaning Business
By Lee Harris
If you want to make money working for yourself and be your own boss carpet cleaning is
an easy business to get into. When you start up a business there are two key components
that you need, a product to sell and someone who’s willing to buy it. Carpet cleaning is
not rocket science but does require knowledge on general carpet cleaning, stain removal
and knowing the limitations of what your equipment can handle.
There are three main types of carpet cleaning; dry foam carpet cleaning, liquid
extraction carpet cleaning, and hybrid liquid extraction using a bonnet to thoroughly
scrub the floors. Most carpet cleaners use the liquid extraction method because it most
cost effective. When starting your business you need to lay out a business plan. To
develop a carpet cleaning business you must have money for start up because your business
is equipment based.
When you first go to purchase carpet cleaning equipment you’ll be amazed at how many
different types of extraction equipment is available. To find carpet cleaning equipment it
is advisable to shop at a local cleaning supplies and janitorial equipment distributor or
look on line at vacuum cleaner and carpet extractor websites. There are many types of
carpet cleaning units available, some of these types include carpet spotters, portable
carpet extractors and truck mount carpet extractors.
Carpet spotters are made for cleaning smaller spaces and areas that are not flat like
cars, boats and furniture. Carpet spotters are also great at removing small spills and
stains and are light and easy to transport. A great way to expand what you offer in your
carpet cleaning business is to offer mobile auto detailing. Mobile auto detailing is
quickly catching on and people will pay good money for this extra service.
Portable carpet extractors are what you are probably going to be looking at if you’re
just starting out in the carpet cleaning market. There are two types of portable carpet
extractors, tank and wand units and portable walk behind. Tank units are the best if you
are going to be cleaning a lot of carpets frequently. Tank units allow you to attach
carpet wand tools for a variety of jobs and are the most versatile. Tank extractors also
come with heaters that super heat your extraction solution which in turn yields a cleaner
carpet. Tank portable carpet extractors usually range from $1200 to $7000 dollars new and
are available with many options.
The third type of carpet extraction unit is the truck mount. Having a truck mount unit
for commercial carpet cleaning is the ultimate way to go. Truck mount carpet extractors
are usually mounted in a truck, van or trailer and contain very large suction motors which
are run off the vehicles own power. Truck mount carpet extractors come with super heating
heaters that heat the carpet extraction solution up to high temperatures. Truck mount
units are usually self contained so the both the solution tank and the waste liquid tank
is contained in the vehicle. Truck mount setups can range any where from $10,000 to
$60,000 dollars depending on the options you choose. If you are starting out your own
carpet cleaning business a used truck mount systems is a great way to go.
The basic equipment needed to start your carpet cleaning business is a vehicle to get
to your carpet cleaning location, a carpet extraction unit and carpet cleaning chemicals
and cleaning supplies. After you have acquired all your cleaning equipment it’s time to
get insured. It is not recommended that you clean someone else’s carpets without insurance
and most people who hire you will require proof that you are insured and bonded for their
own protection. Knowledge of carpet cleaning is required for cleaning carpets. There are
many books and internet sites that are devoted to commercial carpet cleaning from which
you can gain knowledge about the carpet cleaning industry.
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