For you guys that are mostly commercial - I've come to the realization that hot water extraction should be a part of our toolbox for those jobs that have so much impacted soil that you need to flush it out. (I learned this the hard way doing a church last week!)

So...would you keep or buy a truckmount (I have one), or would you purchase a portable, a steamin demon, or other HWE systems to compliment VLM cleaning?

thanks!

Joe

I rarely use HWE anymore, but you're right...when you need it, you really need it!

I own a Ninja (love it), however, I'd like a Steamin Demon and a high psi portable for tile & grout.

I've worked on truckmounts a lot in the past and they are great, however I would never get one. 90% of what I do as far as carpet goes is VLM. Tile & grout and upholstery is where I use HWE 90% of the time...not enough to invest in a TM.

Although if I could afford it...I'd have one of EVERYTHING!

Two Words...

Steamin Demon






Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com

I have used portables and recently found a great unit by cross american. Eliminates most the extra work a portable creates. The unit can even be left in the van as stationary or as portable. Can run in excess of 100' hose longer with in line booster 0-500 PSI, unit only weighs 85#. 16 gal capacity. Provides great CFM, and eliminates lugging up stairs, room to room due to hose runs available. I normally use 25" sections and work my way back to the unit I can remove a length of hose, I also use 1- 50' section most homes 75'-100' seem to be the norm to reach everything. Another great thing is circut breaker freindly, rarely have I blown breaker while in the home. Of course what would you expect? It was created by a cleaner with 30 years in the business who actually cleaned not a engineer with no experience. Sorry Rick didn't mean to create a sales pitch for someone. But if it helps I brag on My Cimex in their Forum as well!

If all I did was commercial, I'd still have a TM. I mainly do scrub-n-run encapsulation on commercial, with an occasional bonnecap thrown in for good measure, but once a month, or so, I get that large job from he$$ that will only respond to HWE. If I had to drag in a portable to do it, I think I'd have to go on antidepressant medication after one or two jobs.

I figure, if you are in business and can't afford to purchase the proper equipment, then you either need to improve your business/marketing skills, or go do something else. Don't fool around with a portable.

Hey, I know I've hurt some feelings now, so have at me with the comments, but it's not a sin to have an opinion.

PS I demo'd a Demon and found it to be lacking, but if I just couldn't afford a TM, and that's really the unstated reason why most cleaners don't have one and say they don't need one, then the Demon is what I would run.

Okay, I'll be the first. If you already own a TM, fine. However, I do not understand why one would spend $40,000 for a van & TM, or $12-17,000 for TM only, just for occasional use? I have 3 portables, all of which will produce more than 400psi. So I don't have the CFM's of a TM. One of them will do 1200psi. I still get the carpet dry in about the same amount of time as a TM. If portables didn't work, there would be no market for them.

Two words, Steamin Demon. We just got in from a WD job where we used the SD for the bulk of the water (was running out from under the garage door when we got there) and followed with the Water Claw hooked to the SD and then set the air movers and Dehumidifier.

Hi Rambo.

Just wondering if you can tell me do the same greenglides for demon classic fit a Tsunami? And uphostery tool same question?

Thanks
Your Servant Alex

A sign of the times!

I do not use glides on my Steamin Demon. I don't see the need for them at this time.

My truckmount should be finished by the end of this month and I am really looking forward to leaving my porty at home. If I already owned a TM no way I would consider getting rid of it for something I had to run hoses and electrical cords for.

Do you do any T&G? I would surely stick with the TM if you do hard surfaces.

Either way, don't leave the shop without your encap supplies.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against TM's. They are more convenient to use. I do T&G as well. Most who commented state they have to extract OCCASIONALLY. To me, spending the money required for that kind of use is bad business. I just don't think it's fair to say that if I don't have a TM I should find another business.

Here is a thought for you, I run portables and have for some time. I cover alot of assisted living facilities, retirement homes, health care facilities that do not want hoses ran from driveway. One other point I'll make as for my regular residentials the majority of them had prior cleaners with TM. Beleive what you want its not just the equipment its the techs knowledge and commitment to satisfying their customer. Thats my #1 concern to earn repeat and referral business not a hit and run.

That's my point as well. More important than the type of equipment used, is the knowledge & expertise of the operator. Actually, I never answered Joe's original question. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it the same way. Start with a portable and, as the business progresses, continually assess my needs. If I ever see that I may have a DAILY need to extract carpets, then I'll consider a TM.

CUSTOMER PERCEPTION is 90% of job satisfaction. If you're a one man show, operating out of your garage, then your customer is probably not expecting much more than an electrical cord, water dumping, sink filling wonder from across the tracks.

However, if you want to do business in a professional manner, and like the idea of being the best in your market, then don't get caught in the rut of the short man syndrome.

No offense Rambo.

Not a real "Admirable" thing to say to us vertically challenged people !!!

At least I am glad you did apologise to Rambo

Cimex

Makita polisher for upholstery

Sprint

Steamin Demon

OP

Cheers,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.get.shorty.com.au

I am a one man show...and my customers love my results.
Point of fact, If I could, I;d have no problem walking in with some voodoo dolls, a bit of bottled blood, lighting a candle...and chanting....if it got the carpets clean.

The "cord" means those spots are not coming back.

"image" is presented.

My enthusiasm is contagious. So are my results.

Oh...I use a porty when I have to, one chord...and I live near the tracks.

Folks are talking about me too....in ways I like.

What Shorty said. BTW Shorty, were you looking in my van B4 you posted?

The best sales pitch I use in commercial is the fact that I DON'T HAVE A TM. No hoses, no wick backs, no security isues, fast dry times.

In my town, the easiest commercial accounts to get are the ones that have been cleaned by a TM, which is most of them.

Affording a TM is not really the issue Admiral Clean, the issue is do I want the lease payment that comes along with it. I prefer to pay cash for my equipment and have them pay for themselves very quickly.

In our area, if you don't have a truckmount, you have a HUGE hurdle to overcome. I was never good at hurdles, so why fight it?

We'll bring both the truckmount AND Cimex to many commercial jobs, and start using both. That way, the staff that might be there is impressed with our equipment.

Many times, I've done 80% or more with the Cimex, and 20% or less with the truck. But where I've used the truck, it's been needed, and NO ONE can convince me otherwise. We always look for ways to use the Cimex/Releasit system, but when you need the heat and water flow, it's nice to have it.

In response to the thought, 'this is the way this business is going'- That's they way it is NOW. However, many manufacturers are jumping on the encap bandwagon and bringing more products to the marketplace. And advertising in janitorial trade magazines, not just carpet cleaning mags. Soon every building super in America will think they can clean their carpets in-house. What will set us apart is the ability to provide CLEAN- no matter what it takes- HWE, encap, or a combination of these or other methods. We have to make sure we can differentiate ourselves from others in the marketplace. Because of that, we ALL have to keep an open mind to all ideas, even those we at first don't believe in.

My daily rant-



Kevin Kluth
Pinnacle Cleaning
www.dryinonehour.com
www.fullerdirect.com/0704120

Fear of janitors or in-house staff getting encap equipment, I believe, is a paranoia that pops up each time a new system pops up. The companies that are going to do it in-house are going to do it that way no matter what we use. The same fear was expressed with bonnet cleaning, portables etc. But the most important factor in our customer retention is our ability to USE the equipment effectively. As easy and fast as encap can be, there is still plenty of people who mess it up just like with portables. Professionalism will always win out over saving a buck over the long run overall.

Rick Thode
rick@releasit.ca
Releasit/Cimex Canada

I agree with Rick, we as professionals can make it look easy as other professionals do with there jobs. What we have learned and do daily becoames second nature. Yes some in house will do with success some won't, thats life for real. no need to worry just keep on doing a professional job meeting and exceeding expectations and business will grow.

Even the gold rush died. The ability to reinvent oneself is what makes the difference.

Rely on whatever means you want...but if the means you rely on are NOT YOUR ability to adapt, then move over and sit down.

"Soon every building super in America will think they can clean their carpets in-house. What will set us apart is the ability to provide CLEAN- no matter what it takes- HWE, encap, or a combination of these or other methods."

Maybe where you live but up here most buildings just can't get staff to do ANYTHING...there's no one who wants to do those kind of jobs. They gladly pay us to do it.

I'm not the least bit concerned about people wanting to do it themselves. Like Rick said, if they have that mind set...I don't want to do business with them. I set myself apart by providing a premium service...I get their floors cleaner than most do or would...without a TM.

I've used TM's for 12 years working for others and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can and do get carpets as clean as any TM out there. If my customers can get their carpets cleaner after I'm done...they can have their money back...In fact I'll even pay the guy who got it cleaner...I've never had to pay anyone else and I've never had to refund anyone yet.

The guys who go on about how anyone who doesn't have a TM is not a professional are funny...kind of makes me giggle knowing I can charge as much as they do and not have $1000 monthly lease payment.

Quote ::

"What Shorty said. BTW Shorty, were you looking in my van B4 you posted?"

Unquote ::

Nah Ray, unfortunately, much as I like to check out the opposition, you weren't in the 'hood at the time

I merely read the question & thought how I would set up again, if I had to, and the order in which I would buy equipment.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, look at the money we all could have saved if we had this forum up & running when we were all starting out.

& yes, I do have a truckmount, not a great fire breathin' super sucker that'l suck the skin off'n a cream custard at a hundred yards, and blast the boots and socks off've anyone that gets to close.

But a simple machine that has served me well over the years and built my repeat and referral customer base nicely.

Since getting Big Yella, my truck mount is still making me money.

It mainly sits quietly in the van while I use O.P.'s (other people's) electricity to clean their carpets and upholstery.

I am also helping to save the world by using less greenhouse emissions, and a lot less noise pollution.

I could say a lot more, but I reckon you blokes get my drift, eh?

Cheers,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.get.shorty.com.au

"I am also helping to save the world by using less greenhouse emissions, and a lot less noise pollution. "

I couldn't agree more Shorty...kind of makes me sleep better at night...my customers feel good about that too.

Used to be my heros, but their all gone now. Thank God for the Internet and Shorty. Shorty has become my new Hero, and I mean that. Now go and have a great day "down under"

You Trekies should point you Ramblers this way, put them in warp drive, and come over to Bama and let me show you how to clean carpets.

Down let your Spock ears blow off on the way over.