Carpets add a lot of comfort and style to our homes, but we tend to take them for granted until they need to be replaced. New carpeting doesn’t come cheap, and it’s generally a surprise how many square feet are required to get the job done. One of the best ways to push carpet replacement out is getting your current carpets cleaned regularly. As with anything, too much cleaning isn’t good for the carpet, but it does need a professional treatment every year or so.
You have to find a carpet cleaner who will do the job right. Otherwise, you can end up shortening the lifespan of your carpet rather than lengthening it. While most of the carpet cleaners you consider will advertise great prices, rare deals, and technicians who look professional, you need to do your research. The key to understanding whether a carpet cleaner will give you the services you need is asking good questions.
Questions to Ask Prospective Carpet Cleaners
We’ve put together a list of questions that will reveal cleaners’ strengths and weaknesses. Ask each prospective cleaner the same questions and compare their answers. This should help you understand which cleaners have it where it counts.
Do you have a list of clients satisfied with your services?
- You want a cleaner who has been doing a good job for a while. Any company committed to excellence will be able to provide a list of people willing to honestly share their experiences. Before you make your choice, ensure that your chosen company has good references. The first test is whether or not the company has a references list or not. If the company doesn’t have references at all, it’s probably a good idea to go with someone else. Otherwise, you have nothing to go on but the company’s word that they’ll do a good job.
Do you put your services down in writing?
- When you work with any sort of professional, it is crucial to have a contract. Everything the specialist will do should be written down in detail and guaranteed. You should have the chance to look over the contract and ask questions about anything you don’t understand. That way, if they cut corners, you will have something to hold them to.
Will you use a truck-mounted system?
- Truly professional carpet cleaners will bring in the big guns. We’re talking about a cleaning unit consisting of a tank and hose. Attached to a truck, this system can generate the force needed to suck dirt, debris, and water out of your carpet and all the way back into the tank. Any system less than a truck-mounted one won’t give you the professional results you’re paying for.
Are you part of Ethical Services?
- Ethical Services maintains a list of carpet cleaners that provide the very best services. If a carpet cleaner is on Ethical Service’s list, you can feel confident hiring them to clean your home.
Have your technicians been certified by the IICRC?
- The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) trains the very best technicians. Certification from the IICRC is like having a degree in carpet cleaning because it includes hands-on training and testing. It is generally a good idea to avoid cleaners who don’t require their technicians to be IICRC-certified. It’s hard to know if technicians can really do that what they claim when there is no certification to back them up.
Will you give me a written estimate?
- Knowing what you’re getting into before you sign any dotted lines is really helpful when you’re trying to decide which company to go with. That is where free estimates and quotes come in. If a company fails to offer this service, choose someone else. You do not want to run into unexpected costs mid-cleaning.
Do you ensure your technicians?
- Carpet cleaning isn’t as risky as roofing, but injuries are still possible. If a technician does get injured while cleaning your carpets, you should not be held liable for those injuries. An insured carpet cleaning service will cover their employees in the case of injury so none of the liability (and expense) falls on you. Never choose a company that is not insured!
Turn to Clean USA
Don’t be outsmarted by a carpet cleaner just trying to make a buck. Turn to our home carpet cleaners in Sycamore today!
