Can a new carpet cleaner handle a Home Show?
A new Georgia carpet cleaner is worried about tackling the strange new world of Home and Trade Shows. Steve says Home Show marketing is great … IF you do it right! Here’s some tips …
Steve’s “Bleeding Hearts” Advice Column
Steve Toburen answers pleas for help from carpet cleaners, mold remediation and fire and water damage restoration professionals. If you are starting a carpet cleaning business or an experienced small business person you will surely find practical advice here. More about Steve.
“I need help with a complex commercial cleaning bid!”
A California carpet cleaner is “drowning in the details” of a commercial cleaning bid. How should a carpet cleaner calculate a really large commercial job? Steve helps him rescue what may be a “golden opportunity”.
Can you help me with a restoration “comment form”?
A Chicago restoration contractor wants to get feedback from his customers. Steve explains why this is such a great idea and shares some resources that are free for the downloading right here on this site …
Pricing commercial cleaning with encapsulation vs. hot water extraction?
A Tampa carpet cleaner agonizes over whether to charge less for encapsulation instead of HWE with his truck mount. What factors should be weighed? Steve dives in with his favorite dentist analogy …
What products should I use for anti-allergy cleanings?
Anti-Allergy cleanings can be a highly profitable diversification and a great niche to differentiate yourself from all the “rug-suckers” out there. OR it can turn into a finger-pointing blame game! Bill and Steve share a great line-up of treatments to use plus a little practical wisdom on pre-qualifying the job.
Can buying a franchise help me get started in carpet cleaning?
Should I go with a franchise- yes or no? A huge question that faces a beginning carpet cleaner at the worst possible time- before they know anything about this industry! Fear no more as a would-be carpet cleaner in Nashville pops the franchise question to Steve …
How can I raise my prices without losing clients?
A Little Rock carpet cleaner has FINALLY gathered up his courage to raise prices. But how to do it and when to tell his repeat customers has him stumped. Steve shares his patented 5 step system to raising prices …
Browning on a Berber Carpet- now what?
Nothing strikes more terror into the heart of a carpet cleaner than a beautifully cleaned berber turning ugly shades of brown! A Tucson cleaner cries for help to Steve who passes the ball to Big Billy Yeadon, a genuine technical guru.
Can I increase my profit on carpet cleaning sales by peddling carpet spotter?
We all want to increase profit per job. But Steve warns against getting distracted peddling product for pennies when you could be making Cheerleaders (aka. word of mouth referral machines). How?? GIVE AWAY a bottle of “Free Lifetime Spotter” to every customer …
Carpet cleaning technician pay- commission vs. hourly? What to do?
It is just one of the cleaning industry’s “eternal questions”. Where is the “sweet spot” in compensating my employees? What is the simplest and most cost effective way to motivate technicians while still letting the company make a profit? Steve shares a few thoughts with a Richmond, VA carpet cleaner …
How can my janitorial service not get blamed for unlocked doors?
A Los Angeles Building Service Contractor is sick and tired of getting blamed for every unlocked door. Steve says he only has three options …
The world of steady, profitable commercial work is really tempting me!
Regular cash flow, your very own production schedule, a steadily appreciating asset and best of all … less interaction with an at times difficult and demanding residential customer. So what’s not to like? Will this carpet cleaner’s dreams of profit in commercial maintenance work be fulfilled? Steve Toburen gives his prognosis …
Are carpet cleaning door to door sales calls worth my time?
A Tennessee carpet cleaner wants more cleaning work but isn’t quite ready to take the door-to-door plunge. Steve gives him some perspective on his time management …
Should I start out hitching a ride as a sub-contractor cleaner?
After an extended absence from our industry an independent cleaner is looking to get back in the game. He’s looking for a shortcut to success but as usual Steve tells it like it is …
So can I build a business that will run without me “pushing a wand”?
Are you enjoying the lifestyle benefits of living in the countryside? GREAT! This small town carpet cleaner asks, “Can I build a ‘real business’ in a market base of only 30,000 people?” Steve shares how he did it …