Guide to Buying Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Equipment for Your New Business

Let’s face it, we would all like to quit that 9 to 5 job and become our own boss – it’s the American dream. A carpet cleaning business can fulfill those dreams and be profitable as well.

Truck mounted carpet cleaners can be bought used, new or even leased from a minimum of about $3,000 all the way up to $30,000. The profit from your own business depends on how much the truck mounted carpet cleaner costs to buy initially and routine maintenance.

There are 2 basic styles of truck mount carpet cleaning machines; one is a slide-in unit and the other is van-driven. The slide-in truck mount can be moved from one vehicle to another and runs on it’s own engine-but takes up more space. The van-mounted truck mount is one unit and runs off the engine of the van. The van-mounted truck mount takes up less space but is more expensive than a slide-in truck mount carpet cleaner.

Before you buy a truck mount carpet cleaner, you’ll need to:

1. Compare new and used truck mount carpet cleaning machines;
2. Decide if you want van-mounted or slide-in carpet cleaning machines;
3. Ensure all used carpet cleaning equipment is included when buying used equipment from a private party; and
4. Check that financing or leasing is available on the truck mount carpet cleaners for sale.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare new vs. used truck mount carpet cleaning machines

Buy a new truck mount carpet cleaner if you can afford it. A new unit comes with few problems and a good warranty; unfortunately a new truck mount also comes with a higher price tag. If you decide to buy a used truck mount carpet cleaning machine, buy it from a reputable dealer when possible. Ask about warranties, too. Always check the equipment and engines to make sure everything is in good working order.

I recommend: Buy a turnkey carpet cleaning business if you can afford it. Or, choose a new economical truck mount carpet cleaner. You can find many good used truck mounted carpet cleaning equipment.

Slide-in vs. van mount carpet cleaners

Compare the qualities of the truck mounted carpet cleaner you want. A slide-in unit is less expensive but more cumbersome to operate. The slide-in unit has it's own power independent of the actual motor of your vehicle. However, because of this, it can also cost more for maintenance and is more complex to operate. The van-mount unit is all inclusive. The van motor runs the carpet cleaning machine so the fuel consumption is increased; however a van-mount unit is considered more reliable in the long run.

I recommend: Compare the pro’s and con’s of each truck mounted carpet cleaner.

Pay cash if you can

Pay in full when you buy a truck mounted carpet cleaner, if at all possible. If you have cash in hand, the price can always be haggled over. Don't pay in actual cash dollars, however. Pay for the truck mount with a business check or cashier's check so you have a record of payment. Consider leasing the carpet cleaning equipment from a reputable leasing company. Leased equipment is maintained more frequently and updated on a regular basis.

I recommend: Apply online for Steambrite financing programs. Get an online quote for leased equipment.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Buy duct cleaning equipment for added income.
• Keep your liability insurance up to date.

The official source of Buying Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Equipment for Your New Business is
the Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Equipment page at Business.com