Welcome! Carpet cleaning is one of today’s fastest growing small businesses. Entrepreneur.com reports that six of the Top 10 fastest growing franchises for 2010 are cleaning companies! While buying a franchise is one option, you don’t need one to be successful. The biggest reason for this is the use of truck mount carpet cleaning equipment. Carpet cleaning vans equipped with truck mount ’steam extraction’ machines can provide professional carpet cleaning services on par with those from the largest companies. This ‘level playing field’ provides a great opportunity for starting a new carpet cleaning business or expanding an existing one. Whether your customer base is commercial, residential or both, a reliable carpet cleaning van and truck mount carpet cleaning equipment are key to your companies success.
What kind of van do I need and how do I configure it? Here’s an overview of what kinds of vans to look for, how [more]
GMC Savana
The GMC Savana is related to the more popular Chevrolet Express van. Both vans are solidly built with few changes over the years. The GMC Savana is available in half-ton (1500) and one ton (3500) configurations. The extended-wheelbase version (155-inch) is available only on the 3500. The LS trim level is the one geared for small business or fleet service.
All Savanas (2010) come with a V8 engine. The 1500 is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 that produces 295 horsepower. The 3500 is equipped with a 6.0-liter V8 that generates 300 hp. GMC does offer all-wheel drive for the 1500 but most Savanas are rear-wheel drive only. Both models use a four-speed automatic transmission.
The interior of the Savana is functional and efficient befitting is workhorse reputation. Newer models contain upgrades in materials and safety features such as air bags but generally, the look of these vans has changed little over [more]
The cost for reliable carpet cleaning vans varies across manufacturer and age of the van. Newer vans are always preferred but can be expensive for the first time operator. There are plenty of used vans on the market but ‘buyer beware. These vans are workhorses and most likely have already seen a lot of heavy duty. Skimping on price is not recommended as this is one of the most important components of your carpet cleaning business.
The decision of which van should be made in conjunction with the type and age of the cleaning equipment it will carry. It’s usually a good idea to insure that the useful life of the van is greater than the useful life of the cleaning equipment to avoid having to move all the equipment into a new van. Many carpet cleaning equipment companies will sell their equipment pre-installed in a specific type of van. This [more]
Truck mount carpet cleaning equipment (commonly called truck mounts) are the most widely used systems for professional carpet cleaners. They provide the advantages of more powerful machines for deeper, more thorough cleaning and faster drying times. This reduces the amount of labor needed per job and improves the job turnaround thereby allowing the operator/owner to do more work in less time. The manufacturers of these machines continue to add features and functions that make them easier to operate and quieter in operation.
Slide-in truck mounts are the most common and widely used. They are called ‘slide-in’ because they slide into the vehicle and are bolted to the van’s floor. They are self powered with their own motor and can be installed in many different types of carpet cleaning vans regardless of age.
Van powered truck mounts are relatively new to the scene and sold primarily by Hydramaster. These units are powered by [more]
A carpet cleaning service is one of easiest ways to start working for yourself. Start-up costs can be minimal with lots of upside potential. The simplest way to start is to take out an ad in a local newspaper or Craigslist.com. Your ad should specify what type of cleaning you provide and a contact number. You can use your local rental shop to get all the equipment you need. As long as you’re getting paid more than what your equipment rental cost + your advertising cost + your time costs then you’re in business. This is a very bare-bones example but points out what can be done with minimal capital and a willingness to work.
A better approach is to build a business plan that outlines the various areas you need to manage to build a successful business. Business plan software is readily available to help with this process. Some even [more]
