Oven cleaning business

saracen · Nov 8, 2007

Whats your thoughts on this ? Has anyone used this service ?

Im in the food trade and know that cooking appliances at times benefit from a de-greasing.

Additionally thinking of a domestic cooker, not many people like the chore of cleaning their cooker, plus not many off the shelf cleaning chemicals actually do the job its supposed to.

Anyway, i've a chance of possibly introducing a cooker cleaning service in my area, not a franchise, but an independant business.

Any comments would be welcome.

Thanks,

freelancer · Nov 8, 2007

well, my dads mate, and neighbor over the road has just started doing this.

He did us a courtesy clean, and my word, the oven is spic and span.

Very good service when done correctly, and relatively easy to sell to people.

LisaHoughton · Nov 8, 2007

I use a franchised company to clean my oven & hob every so often ... It's a great service ... he operates out of a van and is about £40 - £50 ... it's worth it to me ... BUT .. I'm struggling to remember his name and would have to look it up again (? bad marketing or just old age!!??)
Lisa

ADW · Nov 8, 2007

Aren't self cleaning ovens out there these days? Do they work? I am sure I have one as ours rarely gets cleaned but always looks clean........ or do the elves come in the night and do the job?:|

LisaHoughton · Nov 8, 2007

Hmmm ... Think I'll refer you to Ray B!!!!

saracen · Nov 8, 2007

great feed back ! thank you all, keep it coming

Lisa, dont worry about your memory, your right, it is an age thing lol

Nov 8, 2007

Saracen, the company which sends a domestic cleaner to do our house each week has just recently started a oven cleaning bsiness to compliment his domestic cleaning services. It's not really job that the normal cleaners can do as it requires specialist equipment and they tend to strip the oven down. They have only been running for a while and have more jobs then they can cope with and I know that Ovenu also operate in this area.

I'm sure you will do fantastically well (and you should franchise it

)

elaine@cheapaccounting · Nov 8, 2007

I use this type of thing - its great.

Not that my oven gets used a lot as that would mean actually cooking some food

saracen · Nov 8, 2007

Thanks Claire.

I've been thinking about providing this service for a while now but never really had the time to look deeper into it.

Id be interested to hear from a cooker cleaning business operator for any advice, such as where i could purchase a cleaning tank, chemicals for the job etc etc.

I understand its a big favour asking for this advice but im sure should i start this business up i wont be any competition for you

. Well, unless your in the Scottish Borders

welshnoonoo · Nov 9, 2007

I too think it is a great idea - any service that allows people to spend more of their free time doing the things they really WANT to do rather than HAVE to do has a thumbs up from me! Good luck and keep us posted!

saracen · Nov 9, 2007

Actions so far :-

I've found and emailed an independant oven cleaning business which provides training and equipment for new start-ups. No royalty fees etc...

Im waiting on return email to see how much the training etc will be ( hmmm, what family silver can i sell as now doubt it will be dear )

The other downside is the distance, 300 miles apart. After searching the net some more i found a guy who is about 100 miles from here in this line of business and who was trained by the company i emailed !

I'll give him a phone later in the day and see what i can achieve. I reckon he will be fine about it as im far enough away from his operating areas.

Any other advice please feel free to post, there appears to be a lot of interest in this topic.

Thanks

Keith.

Nov 9, 2007

Saracen, I will dig out the deatils of the cleaning company and pm you if thats ok. I have a feeling that he may be planning to franchise his oven cleaning business (unless you beat him to it

) but it won't harm giving him a try.

Claire

Grollsta · Nov 9, 2007

Hi Saracen, you could also consider adding some additional services.

While a service based business is on site, providing a client service, there is always opportunity to increase the sale and earn more money.

Think about what else the client would naturally assume you would offer.
Such as:

-wheelie bin cleaning
- white goods servicing (clean the filters on the washign machine and the dryer)

and and and...

The benefit is that you will only have paid once to gain the client, but you will have provided multiple services on a single trip. I worked for an American crowd some time back, they called this 'rehashing the sale', selling more while the client is in 'buying mode'...

All the best!

saracen · Nov 10, 2007

ok heres my update, after emailing a company for details of training, i've not heard anything back, although if they are sending anything via snailmail then fair doos, i'll not receive an info pack until monday, perhaps tuesday.

the other person i found on the net offering this service who was trained by the above company i emailed - well i never phoned him as yet - reason being im going to wait for the info pack i requested so i can refer to it when asking this gentleman questions, better that than going in blind.

Grollsta - you have a very valid point. I had some white good serviced just this week by a local company who charge £35 per item they service, i,e vacum dust from motor, check gas level on fridge and top up if required etc... These are good add ons.... dont forget im in the food trade and have 3 fridges and 2 freezers and cant afford for them to have any faults. However it may be a different circumstance accumilating business from domestic customers.

I asked a few home owners if they would have their cooker professionally cleaned giving results that cant be obtained by purchasing off the shelf products. The response i received wasnt enthusiastic, one person said he has a wife for cleaning their cooker! Oh dear, i hope his wife never hears that ! lol

Overall, im on the fence, i can see the potential, however im not sure if this opportunity will survive here in the borders as its the dark side of the moon and people here are slow to catch up with the rest of the country.

Will keep researching the idea tho. Where theres muck theres brass !

Gill · Nov 10, 2007

On one of my life swaps (mother and father come to live in my house and take care of things when I have to be away) my mother organised a chap to come out to clean our Rayburn. The result was amazing - the oven looked like new - I dread to think what he used to clean it with and I didn't think it was that dirty before, but after my screech about chemicals etc (mother rolling eyes) I was really pleased. The chap worked for ovenu, he came from Lancaster I think. It might be an idea to contact the Aga/Rayburn shop, leave some cards. I think mum paid £90 and I am not sure if he cleaned or replaced the seals on the lids, anyway it was a job well done and I have passed his number on to a few people.
Gill

Lasting Designs · Nov 10, 2007

I've just paid £55 to Ovenu to have a double oven done, top class job done by stripping the cooker down, removed seals and cleaned behind them before refitting and the panel that covers the fan, no smells either - uses non caustic solution.

Worth every penny.

maria102 · Nov 10, 2007

I don't think you need many more posts about what a great business this is, but we've just moved out of a rented flat and guess who got lumbered with cleaning the oven when we left? I don't think the people that were in before cleaned it either, though as I am not exactly on first name terms with it as I don't really cook.....however, point is, it was the most disgusting job I've done, took ages and I would gladly have paid someone to do it...

saracen · Nov 10, 2007

its definately a business many members here have ustilised, thanks for all replies

I would like to ask if any member here knows someone in this line of business who could train me up ?

Thanks.

maria102 · Nov 10, 2007

I've just had another thought about the target market for this....definitely Estate Agents that specialise in rental properties, this is part of the "move out" process, everyone needs their oven cleaning before move out to get their deposit back, also another prong would be people that move into a new home and perhaps their cooker is integrated and would appreciate that its thoroughly cleansed before they use it?

Cornish Steve · Nov 11, 2007

There's always money to be made doing jobs that others don't like doing - and the back-breaking job of cleaning ovens has to be one of them. Your main issue, of course, is setting the right price to make it pay. Plus, are you prepared to spend your days doing that unpleasant work that others won't do?

markworld · Nov 11, 2007

Yes.... its good and a profitable venture if marketing done in right way.

RayB · Nov 11, 2007

It sounds like a good plan judging the responses to this thread. But I have one question.....

What is an Oven?

vvaannmmaann · Nov 11, 2007

Saracen,
Look in the franchise type magazines.(archives) There are several companies already doing this ( cannot think of any names ) You may find some help there.
Also as you are already in the catering business,will you have time for this?

PS
Just looked at Google,found 3 franchise operations.
Cookerburra £17 1/2
Ovenclean.com £12,995
Ovenu,no prices seen.

They all have websites.
Goodluck.

saracen · Nov 11, 2007

thanks for your replies ! , vvaannmmaann, at the moment im still building up my sandwich outlet and shortly introducing my catering side. I have 3 other employees who are kept busy in the shop which gives me a little time for other issues, paper work etc... but im always looking for a gap in the market and as no one else is doing oven cleaning, i thought, ok heres a poss opportunity.

in 1994, myself and my wife had a small contract cleaning business, i remember saying to a few folk back then about oven cleaning - i was laughed at

We sold our cleaning business to a competitor for a small amount which i was happy about, we both still had out full time jobs anyway while running the business.

I'd like to build the oven cleaning for my son who at present is seeking a job.

I have looked at the franchise oven cleaning but wouldnt purchase one. Id definately do it independant.
Reason being my present business is franchised and its a bummer having to pay a monthly management fee, (7 % ) it's usually bigger than i get for a wage - until i build the business up that is.

Im confident with all the replies ive received so far by members of UKBF that oven cleaning is a good opportunity.

To RayB - you must have a great wife!

Ivydale · Mar 13, 2008

Hi there, I've just seen your posting. I have been running an independent oven cleaning business in the south west for the last four years. I currently have a van for sale which is already fitted out for oven cleaning. I would also be able to train your son. We run training courses and it would be one on one training with one of our employees.

Graham Rogers OvenGleam

sm1 · Mar 13, 2008

I know who has SEO'd OvenU's site as I see many people have mentioned them,

if you would like details PM me

MARKY99 · Oct 19, 2009

Ivydale said:
Hi there, I've just seen your posting. I have been running an independent oven cleaning business in the south west for the last four years. I currently have a van for sale which is already fitted out for oven cleaning. I would also be able to train your son. We run training courses and it would be one on one training with one of our employees.

Graham Rogers OvenGleam

hi graham do u still have the van what yr is it and how much

07968964047

vvaannmmaann · Oct 19, 2009

MARKY99 said:
hi graham do u still have the van what yr is it and how much

07968964047

Please check the date of the last post!

Pensar IT Management · Oct 19, 2009

Just to add my two penneth.

I have used an oven cleaning service (I live in South East) for about the last 5 years. The company is called Oven Clean and it is a franchise. I get the overn cleaned about 3 or 4 times a year and it costs me £35 - this covers cleaning the main oven and grill but does not include cleaning the top (the hob). The prices vary so if you have an aga or big range cooker obviously it is more.

They call me every 3 or 4 months to book in the next appointment. Would never ever clean the oven myself now as the Ovenclean guys literally makes the oven look like new. Key thing is they do the cleaning outside on the driveway with a tank they have in the back of their van so there are no chemicals etc in the house. They also replace the bulb in the oven if that has gone etc so very good service.

I have noticed that there are now some competitors in the area - some I think are independent guys as opposed to companies.

mpen · Oct 19, 2009

If you still looking for the company that supplies the cleaning tanks and chemicals I use a large company based in Manchester called Valclensa, they supply hotels etc with these tanks, great bits of kit.

cleaningmarc · Jun 6, 2010

hello am in the usa and i was reading the bogs I dont have a liitle of money but i i own a small cleaning company. I see that in uk its big on oven cleaning company. Can some give me tips on how i can start a oven cleaning company. would like to start small dont have alot of money to buy a franshice of but would like tips on what stuff to buy what supply and ect to use

Searcher · Jun 7, 2010

Message for the OP.

Would just advise some caution on this having known someone go down the franchise route and lose £3000.

Yes, there is some demand and there are some positive posts on your thread, but bear in mind that as I write there have been 3000 views of this thread and I don't think enough people have said 'yes, great idea'.

The guy I knew also found a lot of positive vibes before investing but there's a big difference between positive messages of support and a customer. What he found was a lot of people told him beforehand that it was a great idea - but when push comes to shove they didn't want to fork out the £40.

I was annoyed with him for splashing out on a franchise when all he had to do was go out with some basic kit and elbow grease and charge £40 per clean. He'd have found within a week or two just how much potential there was.

That would be my advice. If you find it's a goer then invest in something which makes the job easier and quicker.

cleaningmarc · Jun 8, 2010

Searcher said:
Message for the OP. what tools do you use to clean ovens fast

Would just advise some caution on this having known someone go down the franchise route and lose £3000.

Yes, there is some demand and there are some positive posts on your thread, but bear in mind that as I write there have been 3000 views of this thread and I don't think enough people have said 'yes, great idea'.

The guy I knew also found a lot of positive vibes before investing but there's a big difference between positive messages of support and a customer. What he found was a lot of people told him beforehand that it was a great idea - but when push comes to shove they didn't want to fork out the £40.

I was annoyed with him for splashing out on a franchise when all he had to do was go out with some basic kit and elbow grease and charge £40 per clean. He'd have found within a week or two just how much potential there was.

That would be my advice. If you find it's a goer then invest in something which makes the job easier and quicker.

What is the best way and how do you clean ovens fast

PERCY67 · Jun 8, 2010

Hi,

Anyone interested in oven cleaning should look at cleanitup the cleaning forum.

My own belief is that as a standalone business you need to clean a lot of ovens per week to make it a business rather than just a job earning a living.

It appears that many who do this also offer other services, such as domestic house cleaning or carpet cleaning.

sloggingaway · Jun 9, 2010

Sounds like a good idea.

Once you've consolidated your market position as a secondary sales channel maybe you should consider cold calling companies who provide residential cleaning services in your area and see if they want to sub contract oven cleaning work to you.

(silly me i've just relised the original posting was started in 2007 and not yesterday)

mancman · Jul 4, 2013

I'm going to post in this old thread as a warning to anyone thinking of entering this business via the franchise route but where do I begin....... firstly DONT DO IT !!

The key factors that were sold to me by the franchisor included a great work life balance, superb cash flow, low overheads, good branding, untapped market and expansion into a multi van franchise.

What I actually got was near bankruptcy!

Lets look at the low overheads, I was locked into a 5year lease on a brand new van so at the end of 5 years I wouldn't own so much as a wheel nut after paying nearly 18k to a local dealership. Then there's a small matter of the £330 a month franchise fee. My many competitors in this supposedly untapped market were using vans that cost around £2000 with no finance payments and no franchise fees so they had the room to massively reduce quotations to gain business and still make a profit.

The result was either drop prices or have no work so I was scraping out a sickening amount of ovens just to cover van finance fees, franchise fees, advertising costs, fuel, consumables and van servicing (not even included in the lease)

When I escaped this hell my shoulder and neck were in bits and its taken years to recover both physically and financially.

You have been warned!

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