Any individual considering starting a new business in 2022 needs something that is recession-proof. Looking over the last two years and many huge businesses, some of them established for more than a century, bit the dust.
One of these was Hertz. Perhaps this was inevitable. After all, who needs to hire a car when there are restrictions against travel in place? Who needs a holiday rental vehicle when there are no flights available?
Other businesses thrived during this time. Namely, ones that ran online. Delivery services, and online entertainment.
What about some of the smaller, less visible companies? For instance, a carpet cleaning firm. Would this be a good investment now, and could it weather such events as another pandemic or recession?
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How big is the carpet cleaning industry?
There are many countries in the world where carpet is a rarity. Not because it is a luxury or expensive, but because it isn’t practical.
Southeast countries such as Thailand will almost always have tiled floors. Homes in hot countries benefit from cool tiling and have no need for luxurious weaves.
However, there are plenty of other nations where carpets and rugs are commonplace. In the US for instance, the carpet cleaning business market is worth a huge $5 billion according to IBISWorld. That is an impressive annual revenue for what amounts to simply cleaning carpets.
Why are carpet cleaning businesses successful?
There are undoubtedly some businesses in this sector that fail, but by and large, it appears to be an area that a startup could flourish in.
They operate through word-of-mouth reputation and use local SEO to be found on Google. For example, someone in London needing these services searches for carpet cleaning Clapham and receives relevant results. And there are a ton of reasons to use carpet cleaning services.
- End of tenancy cleans
- Hard to remove stains
- Expensive carpets that need special care
- Time constraints
- Guaranteed service and insured
- Experience
The internet is awash with home remedies for removing ink and wine from carpets, but if you had a $10,000 rug would you want to risk splashing vinegar and baking soda over it?
Then there is the carpet cleaning when a tenancy comes to an end. Tenants want to get their deposits back, or as much as possible. Carpet cleaning companies are in high demand when leases are close to expiring.
And, some individuals have neither the time nor the inclination to try and clean their own carpets.
Is a carpet cleaning business a viable idea in these times?
Carpets need to be cleaned regularly to lower the chances of allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. Cleaning helps to bring back life to a carpet or rug, and it also extends that life.
With allergies becoming more commonplace, more people are understanding the need to use professional carpet cleaning services. They are also affordable and not a luxury making them a real choice for many people.
Why is a carpet cleaning business a good investment?
Firstly, a carpet cleaning firm is recession-proof. Regardless of what is happening in life, people still need to clean their carpets before they leave rented accommodation.
One of the things renters have to consider is how to choose a good carpet cleaning company before they move out.
In the US around 43 million housing units are being rented right now. In the UK it is somewhere close to 13 million. That equates to 1 in 5 people renting property. Each one of those needs to leave their home clean when they finish their tenancy, recession or not.
Now, so far you have only read about residential properties. Think about how many millions of commercial properties such as offices exist. They also need carpet cleaners regularly.
Could you create your own carpet cleaning firm?
Starting a carpet cleaning firm may be one of the easiest business ideas to start this year.
There are low overheads for a start. You will need a van, cleaning products, and some equipment. Perhaps another member of staff, although this can perhaps wait.
Once this initial investment is made, there is little else to worry about save advertising. Your business can operate from home, and you can be contacted through a website, email, or telephone. There is no requirement to have a store or commercial premises.
As cleaning products account for only around 5% of revenue, your potential profits are high. This also means that you can make your service affordable for customers as there is no need to hike prices to cover expensive outlays.
Aligning yourself to a trade association will also help give your fledgling business credibility. In the UK there is the NCCA or the National Carpet Cleaners Association. ISSA is another association that operates worldwide.
Summary
Starting a carpet cleaning service may be one of the simplest ways to create a new business for yourself.
There are many pros to it including the low investment and the potential profits. It doesn’t need a large team of employees, nor does it need a storefront.
If you can secure contracts for offices and other commercial premises, then you will have guaranteed income every month also, with the opportunity to expand.
Keep the prices affordable, and you will build up a local base of residential clients too.
