| 1. Carpet Cleaning Equipment and Methods | | | | almost all Dallas Carpet Cleaning |
| - The only type of carpet cleaner you | | | | companies are going to say "YES"....so |
| should let in your house should be using | | | | if you are really nervous....ask for a |
| the Truck mounted Hot Water Extraction | | | | copy. Also keep in mind the difference |
| (HWE) method. This really should be your | | | | in General Liability insurance and a |
| first question, if the answer is | | | | Bond. The General Liability insurance |
| "NO"...keep looking. Many Dallas Carpet | | | | will pay if a homeowner was to slip and |
| Cleaning companies use this method...but | | | | fall because the carpets were over |
| not all, so make sure you ask. Shaw and | | | | wetted, a bond will pay if the cleaner |
| Mohawk who combined manufacture over 2/3 | | | | was to steal something from the house |
| of the world's carpet recommend this | | | | where they were working. Most homeowners |
| method....which makes it easier for me | | | | are concerned about the insurance policy |
| to recommend this without looking like I | | | | paying if the cleaner breaks something |
| am simply recommending the method our | | | | in the house, but not all general |
| company happens to use. The links to | | | | liability polices will pay in this |
| Shaw and Mohawk are at the end of the | | | | instance....sometimes a separate |
| article 2. Carpet Cleaning Certification | | | | endorsement is needed. Here is another |
| - Many Dallas Carpet Cleaners have | | | | scenario to REALLY keep in mind. Most of |
| plenty of real world experience, and | | | | our insurance policies carry at least a |
| unfortunately some of their success can | | | | $1000.00 deductible, so even if the |
| be attributed to luck....."as in" with | | | | cleaner has the offsite breakage |
| no real formal in class training they | | | | endorsement, the policy is not going to |
| should be lucky they have not ruined any | | | | pay up when the cleaner breaks a $900 |
| carpet or upholstery. The two most | | | | vase. Homeowners really need to consider |
| recognized certifications are the IICRC | | | | "Is this cleaner going to pay out of |
| and the RIA (formally the ASCR). This | | | | pocket if the $900 vase scenario |
| certification proves that the company | | | | happens'" Ask how long the cleaner has |
| has been through the coursework and | | | | been in business, they will almost |
| passed exams pertaining to carpet | | | | surely pay for any damages if they have |
| cleaning, ask to see proof that the firm | | | | been in business for a long time. My |
| is certified or go to the IICRC web site | | | | advice...put all your expensive |
| at This is another situation where the | | | | breakable things in a place where even a |
| largest carpet manufacturers in the | | | | careful carpet tech cannot accidentally |
| world are recommending the same thing | | | | break them. 5. Reference of Your Carpet |
| that I recommend. As of January 2008, | | | | Cleaning company - Do a little homework |
| Shaw Carpet will require homeowners to | | | | on the company, ask for references (even |
| prove they have had their carpets | | | | ask for references in your |
| cleaned by IICRC certified cleaners in | | | | neighborhood). Make sure the company is |
| order to honor the Shaw warranty. 3. | | | | not only a member of the BBB, but also |
| Carpet Cleaning and Pricing - Choosing a | | | | has a good record. There are Dallas |
| Dallas Carpet Cleaner solely based on | | | | Carpet Cleaning companies in our area |
| price will usually come back to haunt | | | | that amaze me they are still in |
| you. Not always because of poor | | | | business, their record at the BBB is so |
| quality...but because of the bait and | | | | bad it is obvious that all of their new |
| switch. Any cleaner who is offering a | | | | clients do not check them out at 6. |
| $9.95/room special is going to take you | | | | Cleaning Employees - Make sure to ask if |
| to the cleaners...literally. There is | | | | the company uses employees or sub |
| not a company in the world who can keep | | | | contractors. Ask if a uniformed employee |
| their doors open only charging $9.95 | | | | in a lettered company truck will show up |
| room....it's just not possible. The low | | | | to clean your house. There are some |
| price game can usually be taken out of | | | | Dallas carpet cleaning companies who are |
| the decision making equation if the | | | | really not carpet cleaning |
| consumer's first question is question #1 | | | | companies...they are just marketing |
| in this article. The $9.95/room bait and | | | | companies. They advertise, book the |
| switch companies almost NEVER have truck | | | | jobs....and sub it out to an independent |
| mounted hot water extraction | | | | carpet cleaner. In this situation the |
| equipment...they simply can't afford it. | | | | actual company who books the job has |
| Once a consumer starts to narrow down | | | | little if any control over the sub |
| their IICRC certified cleaners that use | | | | contractor entering your home, if a sub |
| hot water extraction equipment they will | | | | contractor breaks or steals something in |
| see the bait and switch companies out of | | | | your house you may have little recourse. |
| the equation. 4. Carpet Cleaner with | | | | Jeff Lester is a partner at a Dallas |
| Insurance and Bonding - Make sure to ask | | | | Carpet Cleaning company: The Steam Team. |
| if the company is insured and bonded, | | | | |