“What is it about this industry? It was 1988 and all I wanted was some beer money…
I finished 6th form and whilst waiting for my results I asked my Dad, who had just started a part-time carpet cleaning business with Chem-Dry, if he would teach me to how to clean carpets. I said I could clean them when he was busy in his day job and couldn’t fit people in, and I could earn some beer money. The rest is history. I LOVED the work and the reactions of clients when I showed them the clean furnishings. Within 3 months I'd decided that not only did I love the work but I realised that I could make more money and build a business cleaning upholstery with my Dad than continuing education.With my limited savings and a business plan in hand, I managed to get a bank new start business loan, which is a funny story that I’ll share over a beer with you someday. I bought the upholstery cleaning franchise for Chem-Dry. We ran them as two businesses for about 12 months then the accountant said “You're mad, make it one business and a 50/50 partnership.” and here we are today. We now run a five-van operation with five technicians and one full-time office manager. These days we’re very much hands off and the carpet cleaning business pretty much runs itself with a great team looking after it.
Me and my Dad now pursue other interests but are still involved in the carpet cleaning industry. I still do all the marketing for the business and that is my passion. I always knew that delighted clients was just one small part of the business. I’d read a book called “Word of Mouth Marketing” and that taught me how to ask for referrals and testimonials and how to ask for other work, i.e. offer our other services. Again, the rest is history and with hundreds of books, courses and loads of practical experience under my belt I still belong to many Marketing Groups, both inside and outside the industry. I love applying the ideas I find to our carpet cleaning business and sharing those ideas with others too. For me, it’s always about working smarter, not harder, and ethically maximising what you already have.
What is it about this industry? I love it!”
The featured #TLCofthemonth for June is Dean Haywood of Five Star Furnishing Care.
Senior member Dean has been with us for 12 years, and is a valued member of the Association. Thank you for your continued support.
Every month we put one of our Trusted Local Cleaners in the spotlight and feature them as our #TLCofthemonth. Whether it’s for receiving an exceptionally good review from a customer or helping out in their local community, we’re truly proud to showcase our Trusted Local Cleaners.
Do you know a TLC who deserves some recognition? Contact us to nominate someone to be featured next month!
The featured #TLCofthemonth for May is Nick Miljokvic of Clean N Restore.
"I called up Nick from Clean N Restore on a Friday afternoon and he called me back straight away and said he would be available to come out and clean my carpets on the Sunday afternoon. He was very professional and courteous and turned up on time. The figure he quoted me was significantly reduced on the day due to the little time it had taken to clean the carpets and we were very happy with the result. We would thoroughly recommend Nick and his company Clean N Restore if you are in need of carpet cleaning and a professional local service."
Nick's been with us nearly four years, and it's great to receive such an outstanding review from one of his customers. Well done, Nick!
Every month we put one of our Trusted Local Cleaners in the spotlight and feature them as our #TLCofthemonth. Whether it's for receiving an exceptionally good review from a customer or helping out in their local community, we're truly proud to showcase our Trusted Local Cleaners.
Do you know a TLC who deserves some recognition? Contact us and nominate someone to be featured next month!
The Association has had 4 new Corporate Members join us across April & May.
CVM Group – Vehicle & Finance Solutions
BeSure Broking Services – Insurance
Cleanspec Cumbria Ltd – Supplier
Solution Cornwall Ltd – Manufacturer & Supplier
CVM Group
Complete Vehicle Management have been working with a variety of trades over our 22 year history, supplying vans to drainage, plumbing, electrical, engineering and window cleaning franchises.
We already supply to some of the biggest and best-known franchises, providing vehicles, vehicle signage, wrapping, equipment and finance, meaning we can offer best value packages to fit individual requirements. We are experts at meeting the requirements of some of the UK’s best known brands.
We are able to provide vehicles to you and your business ready for work straight away, all thanks to our team with over 20 years’ experience and our simple, cost-effective, monthly payment that covers the vehicle and equipment package. Our bundled finance and equipment packages can also include sign writing and vehicle wrapping.
Besure Broking Services are a specialist insurance broker focussed on the SME marketplace.
“The cleaning industry has always been one of our core focusses and alongside insurers we have created a scheme to provide customers with bespoke protection, above that of a standard liability policy and centred around our customers’ needs.
As a brokerage we are dedicated to enhancing our clients knowledge base regarding awareness of risks, negating claims and solutions that encourage best practise when it comes to risk aversion.
No two risks are the same and it is often our depth of knowledge that aids us offer the right protection products to suit the business itself as well as individual business owner/s needs.”
Cleanspec Cumbria Ltd is a family run business located in Penrith, Cumbria. We have 30 years’ experience in the cleaning Industry. We stock cleaning and janitorial supplies for all businesses: from paper products to professional cleaning solutions. We have our own range of cleaning solutions which have been tried and tested by ourselves and COSSH data sheets are available upon request. We also have a trade counter, where you can come to get advice or to look around our products. We are always happy to help and talk through your requirements.
Our friendly knowledgeable team are dedicated to providing first class solutions to all of your carpet cleaning needs. A product line developed with the professional in mind we offer you a cost effective, proven range to deal with any situation you come across. Added to this our range of first class equipment, purpose built training facilities and ongoing technical support making us the No 1 Solution for all serious cleaning professionals.
Located in the Southwest of England just 15 minutes from Newquay Airport and working closely with our logistics partners offering next day delivery to Mainland UK and delivering of our equipment and products to all corners of the world.
All new Corporate Members can be found on the Corporate Members directory page >>
The National Carpet Cleaners Association promotes best practice in all aspects of running a cleaning business. Our members must fulfil many requirements before being recognised as professional cleaning companies and becoming eligible to trade under the NCCA name. Best practice is promoted to our members through various means, including the PAS 86:2008 - Professional inspection, maintenance, cleaning and restoration of textile floor coverings - Code of Practice.
This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) has been developed by the National Carpet Cleaners Association in collaboration with BSI British Standards and with input from industry experts from all relevant sectors of the cleaning industry. PAS 86:2008 is the only government recognised code of practice for professional carpet cleaning.
The PAS 86:2008 is intended for use by the cleaning industry, however it is also relevant to government bodies, trading standards, the insurance industry, carpet manufacturers, consumers, retailers, training bodies and those involved in the management, cleaning and inspection of textile floor coverings. The PAS is applicable to all types and styles of textile floor coverings within the domestic and commercial environments.
When considering employing a professional carpet cleaner, consumers should ensure companies and technicians are committed to following PAS 86:2008 Code of Practice. Most NCCA members have already adopted the PAS as their official guide to professional carpet cleaning. The Code of Practice is available to buy in our Online Shop.