03-23-2013, 10:12 PM
For better or worse, I don't think we'll see much headway into residential low moisture cleaning for quite sometime. The only exception would be if we were faced with astronomical gas prices and cleaners - by way of the marketplace - simply could not conduct business using conventional HWE equipment.
Method aside, the truckmount manufacturers, brick and mortar as well as online retailers will always support HWE. It's big business. An entry level TM from one of the big builders is 12K minimum and the small builders around half of that. And don't forget the accessories. Hoses, reels, wands, spinners, re's, etc. Plus repairs, and service maintenance. It never ends. Big money for sure.
VLM is a fraction of the cost. Accessories, maintenance and repairs are null comparatively speaking.
As we know, most cc'ers are HWE and in many instances 100% HWE - even commercial. It's difficult to convince a HWE cleaner that VLM works. Strong debates often ensue. Keep in mind this is from industry peers. The public as a whole can be even harder to convince. However, on average many do not care. But those that do care and want to see some 'steam' will require convincing.
I make it a point, before any job is booked - unless a repeat of course - exactly how we clean and what to expect. It's a big help imo.
Using VLM might cost a job from time to time as some only want HWE, but that's how it is. Regardless, we get great results and customers are happy.
Commercial is a whole other animal. Cleaners are jumping on VLM left and right. It's gained a lot of ground. The Cimex, Brush Pro, Orbot and Trinity have really taken off. Of course none of that would matter without great chemicals The chemicals available now are amazing.
Perhaps the great looking, long lasting results of VLM on commercial will convince more and more cleaners in resi, but I think it'll be a while.
HWE is fine and I think it works great. But I know what VLM can do. I don't mind being the odd man out and in many respects it can give you an edge in your area.
Method aside, the truckmount manufacturers, brick and mortar as well as online retailers will always support HWE. It's big business. An entry level TM from one of the big builders is 12K minimum and the small builders around half of that. And don't forget the accessories. Hoses, reels, wands, spinners, re's, etc. Plus repairs, and service maintenance. It never ends. Big money for sure.
VLM is a fraction of the cost. Accessories, maintenance and repairs are null comparatively speaking.
As we know, most cc'ers are HWE and in many instances 100% HWE - even commercial. It's difficult to convince a HWE cleaner that VLM works. Strong debates often ensue. Keep in mind this is from industry peers. The public as a whole can be even harder to convince. However, on average many do not care. But those that do care and want to see some 'steam' will require convincing.
I make it a point, before any job is booked - unless a repeat of course - exactly how we clean and what to expect. It's a big help imo.
Using VLM might cost a job from time to time as some only want HWE, but that's how it is. Regardless, we get great results and customers are happy.
Commercial is a whole other animal. Cleaners are jumping on VLM left and right. It's gained a lot of ground. The Cimex, Brush Pro, Orbot and Trinity have really taken off. Of course none of that would matter without great chemicals The chemicals available now are amazing.
Perhaps the great looking, long lasting results of VLM on commercial will convince more and more cleaners in resi, but I think it'll be a while.
HWE is fine and I think it works great. But I know what VLM can do. I don't mind being the odd man out and in many respects it can give you an edge in your area.