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What to Expect From a Good Cleaning
Knowing what questions to ask is essential in avoiding problems with potential bait and switch scams. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is a nonprofit certification body that sets and promotes high standards and technical proficiency within the cleaning industry.
Here’s what you should expect from a quality-oriented , reputable cleaning company.
No Hidden Costs
Expect itemized costs for services and firm prices before technicians begin each portion of the work sold. Consumers should never feel pressured to accept anything more than the services they request.
Customer Satisfaction
Cleaning firms should offer workmanship guarantees in writing. Don’t trust a verbal guarantee. Get it in writing. Without a written guarantee, an unscrupulous cleaner may develop "amnesia" when it comes to honoring their guarantee.
Vacuuming
The cleaner should start by vacuuming high traffic and open areas where soils accumulate.
Moving Furniture
Unless clearly specified, moving of most furniture to clean carpet underneath should be considered part of the normal cleaning job. The exceptions to this would be difficult to move items such as - a china hutch, baby grand piano, entertainment center or a computer work station. If in doubt, ask the cleaning company when the appointment is set.
Spot-Cleaning
Special attention to spots is included in normal job performance. However, time-consuming specialized spotting may incur an additional charge. Customers should be advised of additional charges before extensive spotting procedures are undertaken.
Preconditioning
Special treatment with preconditioning agents in heavily soiled entry, traffic and general areas should be included in the cost of the cleaning.
Minimal Drying Time
It is the cleaner’s responsibility to ensure that the carpet is dried and returned to normal use within a reasonable time frame. The amount of time required for drying will vary with different methods, the degree of soiling and the aggressiveness of cleaning necessary. But under no circumstances should drying require more than 24 hours with proper ventilation. However, the consumer’s cooperation in providing continuous air flow and/or ventilation to expedite drying cannot be overemphasized.
"Normal" versus "Special" Cleaning
There should be no differentiation between a "normal" cleaning job and "special" cleaning job. Cleaning is cleaning. (Many bait and switch operators will try to tell you that your carpet will only come clean with their "special" cleaning system) Diligent effort must be made to remove as much soil as possible from the carpet. And, technicians must take steps to leave fibers as residue-free as possible to prevent accelerated re-soiling.
Do Not Expect an Exact Price Quote Over the Phone
Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot; if you’d like to know the exact cost, you need to know the exact number of square feet you want cleaned. Although many cleaners will offer a multiple-room advertised special, there are typically square footage limitations. To get an accurate measurement, cleaners should use a measuring wheel or tape measure to calculate the exact size of the carpeted area.
Other Variables That may Affect the Price as Well:
The Type of Carpet
Some are harder to clean than others.
The Amount of Soiling
Carpet that hasn’t been cleaned for 10 years will take longer to clean than carpet that was cleaned within the past six months.
The Amount of Furniture That Must be Moved
In many cases, if you move your furniture or the house is empty, you’ll save money.
Carpet Stain Resistant Applications or Deodorizers
If your cleaner applies a stain resistant coating or a deodorizer, expect to pay more for these additional services.
