OK, I admit I have been "lurking" here awhile as an HWE guy with a portable and drooling for my day to come for my Cimex.

Well that day has arrived (thanks Uncle Sam for that check). Ordered yesterday, 02/10/06.

Any words of advice for a guy new to encap?

My plan is to go for much much more commercial work, but to also add 6-Month encap specials for my residential customers.

Also can you guys give me advice on business insurance. I have been a part timer with a portable so I was not really feeling the need for insurance I now feel that need much more. I know doodly squat about it so maybe a web site link for a primer, the name of a good company, or some pointers????

Thanks team,



Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

IMHO nobody knows more about commercial carpet cleaning than Rick Gelanis, but he is very light on his knowledge of residential carpet care. There is not many doing residential encapping especially with the Cimex, I do a lot of it but prefer the Pilemaster/GLS (both are by same mfg.)

Welcome to the Encap club Del!

You’ll do well with the Cimex for your commercial work. The Cimex/Releasit system solves problems and makes serious profit per sq ft on commercial work. Using the Cimex for some residential jobs can work too. But you’ll find that the mighty 19” Mex is a little bit large for doing a lot of residential. Yet it can be used for residential (a number of cleaners are doing this). Here’s an example of using the system on a trashed out residential rental carpet... http://www.excellent-supply.com/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=7

The Sprint (with the soft gray brushes) is perfect for residential encapping IMHO. For instance, my wife and I just bought a large 2200 sq ft condo with wall-to-wall carpet and ceramic tile. Guess what we’re leaving in the closet? Yep- a Sprint! I’ve already used it to apply Soileze to the new carpeting. The Sprint worked the protector through the fiber really well. And I also used it to scrub the textured balcony floor. I actually used Soileze to scrub the balcony (without any detergent). The Soileze cleaned the balcony floor surprisingly well, and left a nice application of protector on the surface at the same time.

With regards to your question about insurance Del, just talk to an independent agent. Getting adequate insurance coverage is a wise idea. You do need to cover your assets. But don’t buy more than you need to get started. We’ve use Auto Owners for Business Liability, as well as Business Vehicle insurance for our carpet cleaning business. They’ve been competitive and the coverage is good. But shop around and see what works best for you.

Enjoy your new Mex. If there’s anything I can do to help just give me a call anytime. And of course, the guys who post here are extremely helpful too. Enjoy you new money maker




Rick Gelinas
encapman

Del welcome your going to luv working with the Cimex the first day with mine I did a house in the morning in Georgia (high high HIGH humidity) dragging 150'
of hose for a couple hundred bucks in the afternoon I'm strolling behind the Cimex for $700 and never broke a sweat.
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