Tell me something all you who are in this business. I have been in the cleaning business 20 years and two of those my own business. I am 50 years old and love cleaning carpets. Do you think I am to old to start a Carpet Cleaning Business on my own at my age. I feel I need to make a change of career at this time of life. After reading these posts I am pretty excited about the money and flexibility you all have. I have some money and want to invest. I do not, I said do not want a franchise at all after doing my homework. The Cimex seems likely to the job. I am ready for a change from the Janitorial business.

Anonymous

No I don't think your to old. I did it. I have an Engineering back ground and went into mgt and sales in high tech and got sick of the up's and downs. So I started looking at something I could do on my own without the high tech stress. I also looked a franchises but that but's you right back on the treadmill trying to get back to even and after you pay them it doesn't leave you much. Anyway I started my own and it's been going great. But I have been real lucky in getting accounts. But I don't have any debt so that is a BIG factor. I don't know how I'd feel if I had big payments every month and had to make X $'s.

50+, it would be nice to know who I am talking to

Age is merely a number.

I started in cleaning contracting when I was 26.

Got out of that, got rid of the staff, and went full time carpet and upholstery cleaning when I was about 40 something.

I turned 58 about 32 months ago.

Body and mind holding up, I hope I still have a long way to go in this game. I love it.

My 'Big Yella' has given me more confidence to take on work that I would never consider with a HWE machine.

I am still doing water & fire damage restoration, although the gloss has worn off that, and am nearly ready to unload it & push into other profitable ventures, and my 'Mex; will play a major part in that.

Market your business well, do quality work, make a good profit, and hang on for a wild ride.

Cheers,

Shorty.

www.get.shorty.com.au

I turned 59 over 120 months ago. this week I did the 5&1/2 day thingy. I started the Carpet Cleaning Biz at the big five O. If it were not for VLM, I would not still be doing this. I can clean thousands of square feet every day and w/o any aches and pains that I experienced during my truck mount days. I gave up carpet installation and repairs 10 years ago and WD 5 years ago. I never did like WD as it was all unscheduled work. 50 is not old anymore. I say go for it. My suggestion for equipment is; 19" Cimex, CRB machine, Challenger,HWE like a Ninja, a Steam Vapor Machine and 2 or 3 good vacuums and you will be set to go. Best of luck to you.

I also came from the high tech field. after 3 layoffs in 10 years I wanted to try something different. Alot of people still cant believe I have my own carpet cleaning business. 50 is not to old. I like you had some money to invest. I started out and bought myself a hydomaster 4.8 direct drive truck mount with a salsa box (high heat. I then heard about enacapsulation cleaning from a instuctor I had in a cct class. I was very interested, so I got on the web and found excellent supply and Rick G. I am know only in my second year and am doing more and more encap jobs. People love it. The hardest part is getting in the door. Once in after a free demo. They ask me where can I sign up. do yourself a favor and get out of the rat race. I did and I'm never looking back. Well time for some breakfast then i'm off to my sunday job 3 hours work $1,000. I'll be home by kick off.


Ralph

I gotta agree with the above posters.

I started my own business at age 43, and finally retired from active cleaning at age 70.

Not because I had to, but because it was time for my son to take over.

So, starting a business at age 50, is fine, and you will ask yourself why you did not do it years ago.

The point is- it is never too late to start your own business.

Retirement is for when you are ready to do it, not because someone sez ya gotta, because it is policy.

Go for it.

Gary

My friend, I am 52 and work as an Environmental Services Manager at a health care facility. I also work evenings for a contract cleaning firm supervising cleaners in a large office building. I recently started cleaning carpets & upholstery part-time and will soon quit the evening supervisor job so I can devote more time to it. I can make the same money in 1 day doing carpets & upholstery as I make in 5 days working the part time supervising job that pays $250 net for working 25 hours a week, you do the math. As soon as I have enough of a client base, I will be leaving my day job also. Your chronological age is not an issue, however your physical condition is critical. As long as your in reasonable health, you should be fine. Use your age as an asset, most people trust and respect an older person more than someone younger & less experienced. Prospective clients are immediately impressed when I tell them I have over 20 yrs. experience maintaining carpeting, upholstery, VCT, etc. The rewards of working for yourself are numerous but the best one is being in control of your own destiny & income level. Life is short, don't die wondering if you should have or could have done it. Just do it, you will wonder why you waited so long. Good Luck!

I am 65 and always looking for something new. But I would stick with something you our good at
and can cut your time down to few days a week. For example I work 10 hours a week and ave 100. a hour.




Love it

Slow joe

If your going to buy a Cimex you will be doing alot of nightwork. You will be working the same hours as a janitor. If you are going to be cleaning homes I would look at buying a truckmount. This will give you "Day Hours"/ normal schedule. I have seen alot of guys who switched from a TM to a Cimex. There are now realizing that after a few cleanings the carpets are overloaded with soil. In time they need to be extracted. In your situation I would go after a Truckmount where you can CLEAN homes and extract from DIRTY commercial gluedown carpet. Feel free to e-mail me. Good luck with your new adventure.

Waldo The Golden Wand