Carpet cleaning is a massive industry that generates over $1.6 billion annually. If you are looking for rewarding work that offers flexible hours and the ability to build your own business, becoming a carpet cleaner might be right for you. Here are some simple steps to get started with your carpet cleaning career.
How To Become A Carpet Cleaner & How To Start A Carpet Cleaning Business
1. Get Experience Or Training
There are a few ways to get the training or experience you need to become a carpet cleaner. First, you could learn from someone else through on-the-job training with a janitorial or carpet cleaning service. This is a great way to learn risk-free while getting familiar with the equipment and tools of the trade.
Since carpet and upholstery cleaning is a fairly straightforward task, many carpet cleaners jump right in and learn from experience. You can buy an inexpensive carpet extractor and start practicing around your own home.
If you are looking for more formal training, there are industry organizations that provide certifications to demonstrate to clients that you are well-qualified to perform carpet or upholstery cleaning services. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) provides an inexpensive certification that costs $70 and takes just a few hours to complete.
2. Setting Up Your Business
Setting up a carpet cleaning business is easy. The industry is mostly unregulated in Australia so there are no special licensing requirements. You will still need to apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) and register your business name with ASIC. Other than that, there's not too much else you really need to do besides buying your equipment. However, you should check with your accountant on what they recommend for your situation.
You should also secure business cards or flyers to use in advertising your business to potential clients. A website isn’t necessary but can be a good way to make your business look more official and provide valuable information about your services. Registering for Google My Business is a good idea as well.
This article will walk you through the 10 steps you can take to start a business in Australia.
3. Buying Your Equipment
Having the right equipment can make or break your business. The most important piece of equipment will be your carpet extractor (or steam cleaner). While there are higher-end models that have all the bells and whistles, these units can cost up to $25,000 and might be unnecessary for a start-up. If you are just starting out, select the unit that has all of the basic features that you need to perform your work. These cheaper models will cost between $1,500 to $5,000. You can always upgrade at a later stage.
In addition to your carpet extractor, you should also have a commercial-grade vacuum cleaner and some detergents or solvents. Over time, you can acquire more tools such as carpet rakes, upholstery wands, and special stain or odour removers.
4. Building A Book Of Business
The best part about the carpet cleaning business is that this work needs to be performed over and over. The ACCI (Australian Carpet Cleaning Institute) recommends that carpets be cleaned every year. It will take time to build your client list, but once you have a steady flow of work, you should be able to maintain a reliable source of income.
A great place to get started is with friends and family. You can offer your services at a discount in exchange for referrals. This is also a great way to practice your techniques and establish efficient work processes.
You should also consider writing a marketing plan and looking up different ways you can market your carpet cleaning business to help it grow and succeed.
5. Protect Your Business With Insurance For Carpet Cleaners
Carpet cleaners are required to perform their work in clients’ homes and other public spaces. This creates opportunities for mistakes to happen. For example, spilled solvent could cause a slipping hazard that could injure someone. Having good public liability insurance can protect you in the event of a legal claim. Check out our instant quote generator where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance for carpet cleaners in seconds! Simply enter your occupation as a carpet cleaner and expected revenue to get started.
Be sure to read these articles for carpet cleaners which are designed to help you start and grow your carpet cleaning business.
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