The first guy that built the surface vac machine probably tried all of the above ..and Chris I only clean the concrete if I am asked too.. I dont rally have time to clean concrete on a regular basis I have to many hoods to do.. The surface cleaner invention that I built about 4 years ago the top video still works and the total cost was about 150 dollars and it works really well..As far as the vac idea that has been ironed out.. I have a friend that is working on a few items for me that will be here this week I hope.. While I don't really won't to tick anyone off I believe the surface cleaners, vac surface cleaners , and especially the vac with pump outs are seriously overpriced.. Where would we be today if we were only allowed to have one type of each item on the market.. Where would we be if someone didn't invent the light bulb.. The vac idea never worked on the top video because there was not enough water lift , however thats been solved, also while everyone may scream patent design , my surface vac will be a little different .. As to my hydraulic hoses I get them made at Parker and yep they are expensive ( 45.00 ) The swivel on the homemade surface cleaner is a carbide mosmatic swivel it is a great swivel .. Thats what really makes a surface cleaner not the alum. shell and the handles.. Chris I am glad you found that old vac surface cleaner video I forgot I had it on youtube , That was a long day of trial and error and after seeing what lemuel and them paid for the unit they have I believe I could build on for a whole lot less .. I am sure people laughed at B. Franklin as well as all the other inventors theu time but where would we be without there inventions and to the people who improved on the technology we have today..
John, as we have discussed I have not a care in the world about you cleaning concrete, its the pricing you will do it for. I love competition especially when selling the account.
About the design and make it yourself part, I also make some of my own systems and can agree that its a big pocket book saver on some things but a surface cleaner is not one of those IMO. You can get a decent SC from Lori for a tad over 300.00 now days and there are several that have had good reviews on them. Now purchasing a roots style blower, adding an engine and pulleys then putting a stand together equates to a substantial amount of savings especially if you buy them right. My point being using pvc pipe and a shop vacuum is going to make you look like an idiot trying to roll all of that out into a restaurant to do a demo on cleaning interior flooring. When they see you have some pvc pipe, 20ft of hose and a rigid shop vacuum they will start to question your pricing especially if your charging what it is worth. Minimum pricing for me on interior floors is $450.00. If i have to move appliances and do restrooms and other parts of the store, your getting up into the $1,000 range for a fast food joint on 90 day maintenance.
When they see you pull out the shop vacuum and spend 6 hours there to clean the floors, you will be questioned about the pricing as they will think they can take a boat brush, purple power, and a garden hose into the store, clean it then shop vac the water out which they probably can do it and get close to the same results. Your not selling a result but a convenience and process to them. You know the restaurant market here, and there is no way I would clean hood for the money your getting for a hood. Even take your latest account sold for example. Your cleaning that hood for less than it was previously being cleaned for, doing the floors also, then inspecting the fire systems for free on top of that just to get the account away from the cleaner. I do not know your pricing or your bottom line numbers but I would venture to say if it were taking 2 guns 6 hours to do those hoods quarterly then your looking at 2 nights there by yourself to clean everything. How can you make money at the price? As i mention I do not know the price your getting for this particular account but I know what it was being charged and that you had to be lower to get the account. I was informed a figure but I didn't hear it from you so well not go there. Here is my point John, you have been doing this for far longer than me and a lot of other people on this board, at this point you should have a great clientele list (not the cheap ass Sethi) and chinese joints, target the high end restaurants. You should be in the hospitals, casinos, and nursing homes at this point and leaving the price shoppers like sonic to the guy on craigslist cleaning hoods with a cold water machine. Take a look at Ron, he is not targeting restaurants for a reason as they are not the best clientele for years on end. There is a high turnover on restaurants and they make changes without even notifying you as we have all seen. Restaurants are only good if they will pay your price not the price they want to pay.
At this point in the game for you, i would expect to be well off, large back pocket and the rest of this was PM'D to you to read in private
