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. He 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 National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA)
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 the phone call. But once the cleaner get into your home, they pressure 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. To give you an idea of how we estimate the cost of cleaning, here are a few things we consider:
Size of Area
Fibre Type
Soil Levels
How Much Furniture to Move
MISTAKE # 4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money back guarantee. In my view 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. 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
MISTAKE # 5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comment 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 Woolsafe Organisation. 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 Woolsafe certified. He must earn that certification through study, experience and formal written examinations.
MISTAKE # 7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t a member of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA). NCCA 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, (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 NATIONAL CARPET CLEANERS ASSOCIATION (NCCA).
MISTAKE # 8 Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t use high-powered 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. They are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaning machines; they use hot water, high pressure and stronger suction than any other method, so you get a far better job.