Demand For High-End Rug Cleaning Has This Colonie Business On The Lookout For More Space

Article credited to the Albany Business Review, July 14, 2021.

John Wojtusik has been cleaning carpets for 26 years, but his business isn’t limited to the typical house calls when a pet or child or party guest makes a mess.

He’s also being hired to clean carpets that cost thousands of dollars, such as vintage Persian and Oriental silk rugs, using specialty equipment at Hoffman Cleaning at 16 Jupiter Lane in Colonie.

“I think the most expensive one I cleaned was worth $150,000,” said Wojtusik, president and CEO. “Our average rug we wash — an 8-by-10, fine rug — runs $4,000 to $5,000 up to $15,000 to $20,000.”

He’s seen so much growth in that aspect of the business he wants to construct or buy his own building for a state-of-the-art facility.

One option he’s considering: a 20,000-square-foot property in which he leases half to a tenant.

He said he’s been talking to a couple of real estate brokers.

“We’re looking to stay local,” said Wojtusik, whose lease expires in about 18 months.

John Wojtusik says he’s so much growth in fine rug cleaning that he wants to build or buy his own building.

He has five employees and nearly $1 million in revenues, about 35% of which is from cleaning high-end rugs.

His goal is to hit $2 million to $3 million for the specialty rugs. He said the nearest competitors with similar cleaning equipment are in Rochester and New York City.

“It’s a really niche market,” he said.

He also wants to add three to five service trucks for residential and commercial jobs, and double employment.

The services include hand restorations by Abdul Karimi, who was born in Afghanistan and has been repairing fine textiles his entire life. Rugs get damaged from regular wear-and-tear, animal bites and other causes.

Karimi has worked as a subcontractor for more than three years and is joining the staff at Hoffman Cleaning.

One customer paid $18,000 to restore the foundation of a $100,000 vintage rug. It took four months to finish.

“He’s an artist,” Wojtusik said. “He’s the only one that can do what he does.”