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What’s Involved in Carpet Cleaning Business?
There are several different carpet cleaning methods you may employ for your carpet cleaning business. While most domestic carpet cleaning equipment uses the shampoo method, this only tackles the surface dirt. So, if you’ve only used a basic carpet cleaner before, you may find it a little different.
Dry Foam
This is a common type of carpet cleaning. It involves brushing a low moisture foam into the carpet. This attracts particles of dirt that you can then vacuum up. The dry time is typically within 30 minutes.
Dry Chemical
The dry chemical method of carpet cleaning involves sprinkling a dry compound onto the carpet. You’ll use a machine to agitate the compound deep into the carpet fibers. The carpet needs to be vacuumed very well before and after application. However, the carpet is usable immediately after cleaning.
Steam/Hot Water
As the name suggests, this carpet cleaning method involves using powerful water jets, injecting them deep into the fibers. This creates a mist of steam to aid cleaning. The water is extracted almost instantaneously using a high power vacuum.
Steam carpet cleaning machines typically perform this entire procedure in one action. You’ll move a cleaning wand across the carpet. One part will spray the water while the other part sucks up the dirty water.
You can use a truck mounted steam clean machine or a portable unit.
Regardless of your chosen method, you will need to ensure you fully vacuum the carpet before you begin to remove surface debris. After cleaning, you will also need to provide instructions to your client about when the carpet can be walked on.
What Are the Initial Start Up Costs?
If you already have a vehicle you can use for your carpet cleaning business, your initial start up costs should be moderate. You should be able to run your business out of your home, so you don’t need to worry about commercial premises straightaway.
Most carpet cleaning business owners start with the minimal amount of equipment and upgrade as they grow. If you use hot water extraction, you can expect to spend $3,000+ for a new unit. But, you can save money by purchasing a reconditioned or used machine.
You will need to budget several hundred dollars for additional accessories such as upholstery tools, cleaning wands and chemicals.
How Much Can You Earn in Cleaning Business?
Despite the fact that you don’t need formal qualifications, a carpet cleaning business can pay quite well. You can expect to earn $75 to $150 per hour. This will vary according to whether you are working on a residential or commercial job.
Of course, you will need to factor in your expenses. This will include:
- Replacement cleaning products
- Equipment maintenance
- Marketing
- Insurance
How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business in 7 Steps?
Step 1 – First Get The Job Yourself
If you are completely new to carpet cleaning, before you even consider setting up a business, you should first get a job. Working as a carpet cleaning technician will not only provide you with invaluable experience, but you will also gain insight about whether you would enjoy working as a carpet cleaner full time.
Step 2 – Do The Numbers
As with any business, you’ll need to set a budget before you can begin. It is important to sit down and calculate your business numbers to determine if it is a viable venture.
I have already touched on the initial start up costs, but you will also need to think about the day to day costs of operating your business.
It is a good idea to use a business budget template to note down your projected expenses, such as fuel for your vehicle, and cleaning solution. This will help you to work out how much you need to get started. Your figures can also help you to set your work rates and calculate when you will break even.
Bear in mind that while you will need a vehicle to get to your cleaning jobs, you may be able to use your current vehicle. Most carpet cleaning machines can fit in the trunk of an average size car or small van.
Step 3 – Establish Marketing Strategy
Once you’re confident about your figures, you can start to think about how you will market your business. Fortunately, there are lots of cost effective marketing methods.
You could:
- Post flyers in neighborhoods where you want to work,
- Post in local social media group pages
- Set up a website and use local SEO methods.
Whichever method you choose, you will need to think about an estimate of the costs and incorporate this into your budget.
Step 4 – Take Care of Legal Side
Licenses
The next step involves taking care of the legal aspects of establishing a business. You will need to make your business official by obtaining the necessary permits and licenses for your area and registering with your state.
You’ll need to contact your county clerk’s office to find out about the requirements in your area. One aspect of this is to decide if you want to operate as a sole proprietor or LLC.
Sole proprietorship is easier to set up, since you don’t necessarily need to register with your state. The downside is that you will be personally responsible if your business accumulates any debts or liabilities. This is why many carpet cleaning business owners prefer to register as an LLC. This provides legal protections, so you don’t need to worry about your personal assets if there are any debt related or legal issues.
Business account
You will also need to open a business account. Separating your personal and business finances is crucial. It will not only provide protection, but will make your bookkeeping easier.
Finally, you need to ensure you have adequate insurance. All businesses should have general liability insurance. This protects your business against possible claims for personal injury or personal damage. While you’re likely to try to provide the best possible service, it is reassuring to know that you have insurance coverage if you do cause damage to a carpet or a customer slips on a wet floor.
Insurance
If you’re hiring a team, you will also need workers’ compensation insurance. Don’t forget to obtain commercial auto insurance for your vehicle. Although it is tempting to continue to use your current insurance policy, you may run into problems if you need to make a claim.
Step 5 – Buy Equipment & Supplies
Once your business is legit, you can purchase your equipment and supplies. You can choose to go with an equipment franchise or source reconditioned and used equipment. You will also need to find a wholesaler where you can buy your cleaning supplies.
Step 6 – Find & Attract Customers
Now is the time to implement your marketing strategies. Try to work logically, marketing in one particular area before spreading outwards. This will help you to find jobs in a closer radius, so you’re not driving all over town between jobs.
Step 7 – Hire Team
You’ll likely be able to run your carpet cleaning business perfectly by yourself at first. As long as you’re physically able to do the manual labor, you can schedule the jobs to work by yourself. However, as you get busier you can hire a team to handle the increase in your workload.
Where to Find Customers?
As a new business, it can be tricky to find your first customers. Once you have some happy customers, you can benefit from word of mouth and referrals. If you are struggling to get responses to your marketing efforts, you can always look on job boards and platforms to find customers.
Some good platforms to find work include:
Many of these job boards offer full time positions, but it is possible to find short term contracts and part time gigs. This may help you to earn some cash as you try to find more customers.
Is a Carpet Cleaning Business a Good Idea?
Carpet cleaning is an area of home cleaning that most people cannot tackle for themselves. This creates a fantastic opportunity for innovators to set up their own carpet cleaning business.
While the initial costs are moderate, once you’re established, you can command an hourly rate of up to $150. Additionally, you can start small, working by yourself as a side hustle, building up to a full time business with a team. This can be a more cost effective solution rather than buying a carpet cleaning business for sale.
So, if you’re looking for a new venture, a carpet cleaning business is certainly worthy of consideration.
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