5 Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner

 Mistake #1:  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone. 

No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment.  But he also needs something else – employees who are skilled at operating that equipment.  Many companies own hot-water extractors, but few companies teach their employees how to use them properly.  The best way to know that the carpet cleaner’s employees have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or by the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR).  Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of their certification.

 Mistake #2:  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price. 

 Low price could be a problem in three ways:  (1) low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call.  But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job.  (2) Low price can be for “single-process” cleaning.  Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, asks for “dual-process” cleaning instead, which costs MUCH more.  (3) Low price means the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment (perhaps even a unit they rented from their local grocery store), which cannot match the cleaning performance of the superior machines designed to remove the most soil and contaminants, and leave the least residue behind.

 Mistake #3:  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call. 

 Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written quotation.  Then you’ll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high-pressure tactics when the technician steps into your living room.  This also allows the carpet cleaner to see the type of carpet, the level of soil, and measure the exact square footage so he is able to give you a more accurate quotation.

 Mistake #4:  Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. 

 Every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work.  And if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn’t have to pay for it.  Period.

 Mistake #5:  Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from other clients. 

 Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs.  And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true.  Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work.