When someone is considering going into the carpet cleaning business, it is only natural to consider exactly what type of carpet cleaning business equipment they will need. The possibilities are almost endless when you start checking with the newest technology available.
With the improving economy, I’ve had several guys ask me recently my opinion concerning purchase of a truck mount. I do discuss this at length in the business plan but they thought since the economy is turning around maybe I’ve changed my mind.
You can easily spend anywhere from $75,000 to $120,000 for a new truck mount system while you can find used truck mounts at more reasonable prices. The real question you have to ask yourself is if the truck mount is a sound investment and is it really needed? There are many issues to consider before spending your hard earned money on carpet cleaning business equipment that you may never really need.
Imagine the weekly income you will have to earn to pay off equipment costs that could rival your mortgage payment? What if you could set up a carpet cleaning business with just an investment of $5,000 to $10,000 instead?
So the point is that anyone thinking about buying carpet cleaning business equipment should first sit down and consider a good business plan. Learn from someone in the business and you’ll be able to target your “type” of carpet cleaning which will enable you to be profitable instead of just busy.
There is an old saying about putting the “cart before the horse” and if you get into buying equipment before laying out a good business plan, you are doing just that. As a piece of advice, never ask the owner of a truck mount how he values his equipment. While no one likes to admit an error in judgement, I know many owners of truck mounts that opted for lighter and better cleaning systems in recent years.
Target your specific cleaning niche first and then consider what carpet cleaning business equipment is necessary. This is all part of using a good business plan.
Doc has been working in various areas of home maintenance for over 40 years now. He has business start-up guides for the carpet cleaning, power washing and house painting businesses and more. Learn to be profitable working a "real" business from your home.
