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8
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 employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies
own hot-water extractors, but very 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). Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof
of the company's and the technician's IICRC 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, which
will not effectively clean your carpet.
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.
MISTAKE
#4: CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER WHO DOESN'T OFFER A MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.
In my opinion, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable
for their work. If you aren't pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn't
have to pay for it. Period. Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee.
Or, if they do, the guarantee may be "limited." Ask the carpet
cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet
cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quotation.
MISTAKE
#5: CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER WITHOUT GETTING COMMENTS FROM HIS 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.
MISTAKE
#6: CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER WHO ISN'T CERTIFIED BY THE INSTITUTE OF
INSPECTION, CLEANING, AND RESTORATION CERTIFICATION (IICRC).
If your carpet cleaner isn't a close friend, you may not know whether
he has the knowledge or experience to clean your carpet well. If you want
to be sure you're hiring a competent professional, make sure he is IICRC
certified. The carpet cleaner must earn that certification through study,
experience, and successful completion of formal, written examinations.
In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college
degree in carpet cleaning.
MISTAKE
#7: CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER WHO ISN'T A MEMBER OF THE MID SOUTH PROFESSIONAL
CLEANERS ASSOCIATION (MSPCA).
MSPCA is a trade association of carpet cleaners who are dedicated to:
(1) honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest
methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning, and restoration, and
(3) the highest possible level of customer service. You're making a wise
decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of the Mid South
Professional Cleaners Association.
MISTAKE
#8: CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER WHO DOESN'T USE A TRUCK-MOUNTED, HOT WATER
EXTRACTION SYSTEM.
You might expect this from me, since my employees and I use this type
of system. But there are several good reasons. Portable hot water systems
are good, but they aren't as good as truck-mount systems. Truck-mount
systems are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable
hot water systems, truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure,
and stronger suction. So all the way around, you get a much better job.
No two ways about it.
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