Choosing a Carpet Cleaner? Five Telling Questions to Ask
You will learn the questions to ask and save yourself a lot of grief, because, it’s very easy to end up with a worse problem than before you started looking for a carpet cleaner and with a lighter purse to boot.
Some of years back I had just finished grooming a carpet after deep cleaning. The lady of the house came in and said it looked lovely and did I think it would be dry by Wednesday? Wednesday? I said, today’s Monday! Yes I know she said, the last time I had it cleaned he said it was quite normal to take a few days before fully dry, we only rang him back because it was starting to smell a bit ‘fusty’.
I told her even though it was wool and had been deep cleaned, it would be dry in just a few hours. I then decided I needed to write this article so anyone seeking a cleaner need not get ripped off if you ask the right questions. Detailed video presentation on each point can be accessed at my website. Carpet Cleaning Somerset
1. What methods or systems do you use to clean the carpet?
Find out the answer to this question first because it’s a non starter if they don’t answer either ‘Steam cleaning’ or Hot water extraction (HWE) which the industry term for steam cleaning. his in my view and in the opinion of most carpet manufacturers is the only proper way to clean a carpet.
Some firms will tell you their ‘dry’ or ‘low moisture systems’ are as effective. This simply is not the case in the main for residential carpets in my view. Although the drying time of under an hour seems appealing, it’s no wonder because it’s simply scratching the surface leaving high levels of soiling below the surface only to reappear in a short time.
2. Can you supply 2-3 testimonials from happy customers that have used you?
Let’s face it, the best way to pick a cleaner, like any trade is to ask a friend, family members or work colleagues. But sometimes you can’t get a recommendation so you have no alternative but to search the Yellow Pages, Google it or some kind of directory.
That’s dandy, but please don’t make a decision based on the biggest advert or the fanciest web site. Make sure you ask for testimonials. A large advert only indicates a large advertising budget, and a good cleaner will be getting most of their work from repeat customers and referrals.
3. Do you have both Liability and Treatment risk insurance (UK)?
Always ask whether they are insured or not. Or even ask to inspect a copy of the cleaners insurance policy. What you may not know is that there are many part time cleaners. Some find the cost of insurance for the volume of work they do makes their ‘business’ less unprofitable, so they skip it. Their are some highly professional, part time cleaners, but always check.
Treatment risk insurance is not always an option in some countries, but certainly here in the UK it is, but is an extra cost. This means the carpet, rug or upholstery the Cleaner is working on is also covered. Not so with just liability insurance.
4. Who will do the job?
Always ask and check to see who will carry out the work. You will be surprised how some companies have very charming salesmen or women to do the quote only for a not so charming cleaner turning up to do the work. You will find the an Owner Operator company is always your best bet because they inspect a job, price it exactly and they are the ones who will deliver on the day.
Worse still, some companies will subcontract their work out to an entirely different company. One which you have no knowledge of their pedigree.
5. Do you offer a 100% money back guarantee on your work if not happy with the result?
I have saved this one till last. When you buy something it’s nice to know if your not happy with it, you can take it back and ask for your money to be returned, not that you want to, it’s just puts your mind at rest and helps you feel easy in your decision.
Why wouldn’t any decent company give you that peace of mind? Since I started writing articles about choosing a carpet cleaner, I’ve seen many cleaning companies using the ‘100% delighted or you pay nothing!’ headline. Sadly, it now seems more of a marketing ploy for the unscrupulous, rather than a genuine attempt to stand by ones workmanship.
I now recommend checking any clauses in their terms and conditions for details of the guarantee. More information can be found on the website Carpet Cleaning Somerset
Armed with these questions you’ll be able to seperate the wheat from the chaff and send the dodgy characters running for the hills. It may seem daunting and too much effort, but for if you take the trouble it will save you a lot of pennies and disappointment.
Find other videos and article at Carpet Cleaning Somerset.
c. 2009 D.C. Services
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