How to choose the right carpet cleaning company?

You have finally come to the conclusion that it is time to have your carpet's professionally cleaned.  But, what company do I use and why?

There are so many companies in the carpet cleaning industry, but you must be careful because there are a "few bad apples" in our industry.  

Here is the 411 guide on choosing a company!

#1:  Pick a company that uses "HOT Water Extraction" as their method of carpet cleaning.  

Why?  This is the preferred method of the leading carpet manufacturers. 

#2:  Pick a company that uses "Truck mounted" equipment vs. a portable cleaning machine.  

Why?  Truck mounted equipment is more efficient for cleaning and pulling soil from the carpet.  All the waste is dispensed directly back into the truck and not dumped down your drain.  The cleaning solution can be metered from the mount as well as an acid rinse to help remove excess soils and cleaning solutions from the carpet which help eliminate re soiling issues after the carpet is cleaned.  The water from a truck mounted machine is heated with propane to give the "Hot water" cleaning method, which is what sanitizes your carpet.  Most, not all, portable units do not have hot water capabilities.  Newer machines on the market come with a hot water feature but these units are far more expensive and companies may not carry them in their equipment inventory.  (Magic Carpet has these machines in our equipment inventory but we only use a portable unit when the truck mount cannot reach the location being cleaned.) 

#3:  Pick a company that uses employees vs. subcontractors.

Why?  Employees of companies have to go through extensive general and criminal background checks.  The employee is trained by a manager or owner of the company.  If the company has a "professional image to uphold," the technician will be in a company logo ed uniform and a truck.  The employee is also covered under the company's insurance policy.  A sub contractor may have been hired that morning to service your home.  They may not be in a company truck, wearing a uniform, and most likely background checks have not been performed. Who will be walking through your front door?

#4:  Hire a company that holds certifications with the IICRC (The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)for the service you are requesting.

Why?  In our industry, the IICRC, is a nonprofit organization that writes the standards for services we offer.  The IICRC  will hold up in a court of law.  Companies and technicians can take approved IICRC classes to get certified in services they offer.  For example, in the carpet cleaning certification class, the technician will learn how PH can affect cleaning a carpet, how it can damage, etc. to not void carpet warranties.  As a consumer, you may visit the IICRC at www.iicrc.org.   

#5: Last but not least:  try not to be price driven and have the size of the company persuade you from hiring a GREAT company.  

Why?  With price in our industry, "you pay for what you get!"  In general, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!  Many companies offer a low price coupon as a losing leader to get into your home.  Once they are there, the price escalates triple the original estimate.  You have taken the time to have this done, and go ahead against your best judgement and let them have the job.  At the end, your upset that your wallet is a lot lighter and you will never use them again.  So your search continues!  Bigger is not always better!  I personally have found, when I call customer service for various companies, I am a number.  I can never get back to the same person I talked to, I may get disconnected and have to start the hour process over....it wastes my time and its frustrating.  Wouldn't you rather call a number, and get a person on the phone without having to go through a call center?  Some companies in our industry pride themselves on being the "biggest carpet cleaning company in town" or "we have the biggest fleet in all of Georgia."  These usually include franchise divisions and which include "corporate decisions."  If you run into a problem with your service, wouldn't you rather call a number and speak to the owner and get an answer right then?  Instead of waiting 24 to 48 hours for an "open case" return phone call?  

So in your next venture to choose the right carpet cleaning company, consider these key points!  

Contact us today!  Whether you use our service or not, our advice is FREE and we do not mind educating you on your decision!

 

Carpet Protector-Why should I buy this service?

This diagram shows what a liquid spill would do to carpet that has been treated with a professional grade protector vs. carpet that does not have any protector treatment applied.

So a picture is worth a thousand words, right?  The million dollar question, why should I buy into this service? 

The carpet cleaning company that you hired comes out on time and the van and employee look professional.  As the homeowner, your pleased so far! The technician walks through your home and gives you an estimate that includes something called carpet protector, which they mention is an additional service and highly recommends it.  As the homeowner, you feel that your are being up sold on a service that is not needed; but what he begins to tell you....is worth a million!

The facts about carpet protector:

1.) It increases the life of your investment (carpet) and helps your carpet look newer....LONGER!

2.) Carpets made today include from the factory a protector applied.  This protector wears off with normal traffic, vacuuming and time.  Therefore, to maintain the factory protection you must reapply.

3.) It increases the length of time between professional cleanings.

4.)  It allows you time to get a rag and blot the liquid spot before it penetrates into the fibers of your carpet causing a professional spot removal treatment.

So why wouldn't you want this additional service of carpet protector?  Especially, when there are kids and pets in the home??? Well there is an additional cost.  So you think to yourself, I can apply this on my own.

The facts about homeowners applying their own carpet protector:
 1.)  It gets expensive.  The products available to you as a consumer do not treat a large area in terms of square feet.  You also have to use a lot of the product to get the full effects of a consumer line.
2.)  A consumer grade product needs to be manually rubbed into the fibers for full protection.
3.) This product needs to be applied on clean carpet; so you need to hire a professional service or clean the carpet yourself with a home machine.  
4.)  You must allow it to dry completely before walking on the carpet area.

Now, this all sounds like a hassle to me.  You will have roughly 4 to 5 hours of your time invested in cleaning your carpets and protecting them.  Your time is valuable!  In an average size home, we can professional clean 4 areas of carpet and apply carpet protector within 1 to 1.5 hours and this service cost $240.00.

Contact us today to learn more about carpet protector and how it can work for you!