Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: richardc1983 on March 10, 2008, 10:29:52 pm
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Am getting a local carpet cleaning proffesional in to clean my carpets.
Hes asked me if i want them deodorizing as well for an extra £5?
Isnt this something that would happen whilst its shampooed anyway?
Thanks.
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What are you getting cleaned?
Shaun
PS where do you live?
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I'll start again, how many rooms and realistically how much?
There's a reason for asking and I don't cover Leeds at my service area.
Shaun
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Hes asked me if i want them deodorizing as well for an extra £5?
Isnt this something that would happen whilst its shampooed anyway?
Not neccisarily Richard.
Some cleaning fluids simply leave the carpet smelling neutral - just a clean smell.
C/cleaners can purchase odorisers which will leave a smell, some clients like that, some dont. Its a cost.
Post the details Shaun has asked for and see what words of wisdom he has to add.
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more often than not this is just a way of making an extra £5, they will stick a splash of perfume into the cleaning solution, cost them 20p
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Just make sure they are using a Truckmount and been in the business 4 years or more, and also preferabally member of one of the trade bodies. also if they are busy and charge highish prices this can mean they do ok and therefore will have the best kit to do the best job.
Contraverstial but this is the things I'd look for if I was not in the game and knowing what i know having the benefit of having been in it.
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The guy is doing a special offer and is charging £47 for a 2 bedroom flat.
He says will be £50 for deodorising so only £3 more.
Usually its £92 for same rooms but has put his prices down.
My flat has lounge, hallway, and 2bedrooms.
And yes its all the carpets im getting cleaned.
If anyone on here can do for a similar price (i live on my own so cant afford too much)
Im in Leeds.
MAny thanks.
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Just make sure they are using a Truckmount
The deodoriser will cover the smell of having that engine revving at full pelt outside your house ;D
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Just make sure they are using a Truckmount and been in the business 4 years or more, and also preferabally member of one of the trade bodies. also if they are busy and charge highish prices this can mean they do ok and therefore will have the best kit to do the best job.
Contraverstial but this is the things I'd look for if I was not in the game and knowing what i know having the benefit of having been in it.
I dont think he said it was a truckmount, i will ask him wat equipment he will be using because i dont want it to end up being one of those karcher things cos ive hired them b4 from the hire shop and done it my self, im wanting a proffesional deep clean this time. The carpets are nothing special just what my landlord put in.
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Why a Truckmount Bennie, Considering most CC's in the country use portables, are you saying that they are rubbish. ??? You are talking rubbish- Most of the trainers connected to the NCCA use portbales.
Having a Truckmount does not always mean top job or being a member of NCCA for that matter, what you should ask for is proof of previous work, any CC worth his salt will have testamonials.
Its the skill of the user and not all down the the equipment.
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Can any1 reccomend someone local to me that would do the work professionaly etc.
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I know Andy Hogarth is near your area ............ www.accyork.co.uk
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Tried the National Carpet Cleaners Association websire, the bit that says "find carpet cleaner"?
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I know Andy Hogarth is near your area ............ www.accyork.co.uk
Rang Andy hes based in York so wont come to Leeds :(
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richard
have you done a google search on CC for leeds.
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Hi Richard
47 for a two bedroom flat is a very low price, I would charge 120.
I doubt any professional CC wouldbe much below 80.
Cheers
Doug
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I wouldnt say its a bait n switch con as the guy is trying to make it worth while. Youll get what you pay for in this world it sounds to me its a cheap clean with a cheap machine using some cheap chemicals the deodorizer is probably his old after shave.
If your carpet needs deorderising it would be either a spray on after treatment or he would have to mix in a extra chemical in his solutions. Just ask what his sticking in machine at the begining i bet he be happy to show you whats coming out at the end.
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richard
have you done a google search on CC for leeds.
Have tried that but it brings up loads but how do i know if they are good or not.
Hence me asking you proffesionals first for any reccomendations!
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Richard
go to www.ncca.co.uk and then on left side "find a carpet cleaner"
click on the mid blue representing Yorkshire and you will get 2 pages of c.cleaners, 4 or 5 in Leeds. All of these are members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association and should be OK.
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I thought you was buying a truck mount Neil?
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I am, but its not always because it cleans better, its more practical and you can get it done quicker.
It just pea's me off that Truckmounters think that porty users are rubbish even though some of the most experienced and best CC's use portables.
Are you happy again now, Phones are busy quiet, busy quiet at the moment. Spent Yesterday ringing my database to remind them about me and get work. I did ok and picked up a few jobs.
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Having a Truckmount does not always mean top job or being a member of NCCA for that matter, what you should ask for is proof of previous work, any CC worth his salt will have testamonials.
Its the skill of the user and not all down the the equipment.
How very true i remember when i finished my basic training in the fire service..........my station commander and the general public didnt ask if i could not turn up on the fire engine because ive only had so much experience compared to the others ????????
I dont get people ask me to only clean their windows if i only have water fed poles?
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Joe
Why assume that a NCCA member is any good because they did their induction course and were able to pass an exam. I have a company around me that the Owner is NCCA certified but he never cleans and pays minimum rate to untrained staff to do the work.
NCCA know about this but have they changed the membership criteria to sort this yet.
Had a bad day, sorry for the rant.
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Maybe TM will be quicker if there are residues from "rug doctors, puzzi's & vanish etc after house parties" :o
May be quicker to look for carpet suppliers in Leeds ::)
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Theres lots of residues from rug doctors and hired machines from homesbase in my carpets. So im thinking truck mount might be better?
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Hi Guys
Had one the other week I was contracted to clean carpet and another firm to do bathrooms etc.
Guy turned up late, had CC machine laying in the back of a truck, covered by a tarpaulin.
On his shirt was embalzoned the NCCA logo.
After a while during one of his many f*g breaks, we had a chat and I asked him if he was NCCA 'qualified' to which he answered yes with little conviction .
I casually asked him whether he was 'trained at Leicester or Manchester to see his reaction but he just admitted he had no training and his boss had been on a course but didn't do much cleaning.
The irony of the situation struck me ::)
Cheers
Doug
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Thought the 'one to one' rule was in place now ???
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It is, since April 2007.
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as if it would be enforced :)
infact how would they enforce,? i would suggest impossible .
as for the differnce t/m v porty im sure the porty will get rid of vax, rug doctor etc, so just as well as as a t/m , so for your personal needs I wouldnt fret over which you would get. the one thing that puzzles me is the price you have been quoted, seems on the cheap side to me, and forgive me for been blunt but anyone worth their salt would be charging more, especially a t/m owner " ouch " sure their will be come back on that statment.
Andy, even if the job was in York , you wouldnt do :)
geoff it for that price , would you ?
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Big night for your Boys tonight Geoff. Are you getting Nervous.
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Just noticed someone from Leicester is selling NCCA bits on eBay........survey sheets, course notes and bodywarmer with NCCA patch .............. :o ::) :-X
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Im glued, all night appleton, ;D
no worries, not nervous ,
unlike , some gunners must have been .
;)
geoff
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Ring around ask for quotes and then ask for method the firm will use and come back to us. We can tell you if he/she is doing it properly and all you have to do is make them stick to it.
I would have charged at least £90 for this job.
Pete
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Just to add. There's a guy near me who uses NCCA logo on all his advertising around here and he is not a member.
Pete
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is it http://www.thecarpetcleaner.info/?gclid=CPfrq_fYhZICFQ1ZMAod-X1O3g
£47 is very cheap but you could always vacuum really well efore he comes and move the furniture so he has no excuse to do a decent job if you make an easy job for him.
Shaun
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I gave you a quote for this clean a month ago, you may have misplaced it it was about £100.00 i think.
I can do it this week if you want it doing give us a call 01422 820572.
Mark
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Just to clarify looked back through quotes it was actually £85.00 mate.
Mark
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There you go Richard. Being a member on here does'nt guarantee you are good but most come on here to learn and exchange technical and practical idaes which means we are mostly looking to do the best job we can at all times so that should give you the confidence you need. Go with Mark.
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Agree with that, members on here should be well informed, go with him,
Neil use a TM for a few months then if you had the TM or porty sat outside your house you tell me which you choose to clean YOUR carpets,
lol ;D
You wont match the heat of a TM, not without damaging your pump on a porty nor will you match the suction. you might just get the 400psi though, maybe?
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How come this guy has a 47 posts to his name? He seems very well educated in the world of carpet cleaning, esp. for a guy who doesnt even own the carpets his landlord does allegedly.
This is a post from someone taking the pi##, or is it just me?
Dan
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This guy sounds too cheap. No service business can afford to drop their price by around 50% and still maintain good standards.
When choosing a cleaner for the first time an inhouse quote can be the best way for you to 'check out' the company and its procedures.
Your looking for someone who is ideally an owner operator, a few years of experience, NCCA approved, fully insured (ask to prove these), has a number of cleaning methods so he can choose the best method for your situation and is willing to offer a form of money back guarantee.
The price should include pre-vacuuming unless stated, moving furniture as agreed, stain removal and cleaning. Deod is not normally required unless theres a pre-existing smell.
The NCCA also has an arbitration service for more peace of mind to you.
Mark
PS. for those of you who have come across these suspect NCCA members, its your professional duty and business interests to inform the NCCA.
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Mark, I could list 10 people off the top of my head that arent NCCA reg'd that are top draw (and I don't know that many) NCCA isn't the be all and end all. Its the methods they use that count. I do things that are not the prescribed NCCA method but are certainly a cut above eg. agitation prior to vaccing.
Pete
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How come this guy has a 47 posts to his name? He seems very well educated in the world of carpet cleaning, esp. for a guy who doesnt even own the carpets his landlord does allegedly.
This is a post from someone taking the pi##, or is it just me?
Dan
A quote from Richard back Nov 12 2007
For a living i work in facilities management, which is basically maintaining buildings and repairs to our customers properties and most of the contracts covers on site cleaning be this day to day cleaners or one off deep cleans.
Eventually though i would like to have my own cleaning company so i like to come on here and find it interesting to read through the forums.
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It's been said many times, but I'll just say it again.......................having all the power and heat in the world will not guarantee the person at the end of the wand will do a better job than someone with a moderately powerful portable with warm water, effective chemicals and good technique.
When I used a recirculating portable with 400 psi and a warm water rinse following m/s prespray and thorough aggitation I really don't think 90% of t/m operators would have achieved better results, I might have taken a bit longer, but then again, ho often do t/m users exceed 400psi.
rob
I respect the NCCA members, but never joined, did join the IICRC about 8 years ago, but allowed it to lapse. Made no difference to my style , or method of working, but enjoyed the course delivered by Paul Pearce, who ran a few other courses I attended.
Just read Joes post..................I think I had some "difference of opinion" with the gent.
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Pete
Your missing the point that is your not the customer.
The customer who knows nothing about carpet cleaning looks for ways to be reassured about her buying decision. NCCA membership or indeed any specific trade type body will put her mind at ease.
It matters not that theres top cleaners who arnt NCCA approved to the customer she has no way of telling beforehand.
Regarding TMs, a picture of a TM showing its benefits during your sales process will greatly improve your chances of getting the job over a portable company as its percieved value and results. A portable has no performance benefit over a TM and while a professional operator may achieve the same results its the perception to the customer that this big industrial looking machine will produce better results.
Mark
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The perception is just that and perhaps emphasises the fact that your est marketing tool should be your last job, then it won't matter what you turn up with, as your reputation will have gone before you !
rob
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If only life was like that.
Sometimes being recommended is the way into the home and then you have to impress all over again not just with the job you do but with the techniques, knowledge and equipment.
No 2 customers are the same so you have to woo them differently.
Shaun
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Bennie,
I have no doubt that it is easier to use a Truckmount, but the same quality of cleaning can be obtained using a portable. Its not all about power and heat but also the prep work is so important.
I am getting a truckmount but not because it cleans better but because it will speed up my day and mean I wont have to fill up with water all the time.
NCCA membership is a sales pitch that gives customers a false impression about the ability of a CC. It would be worthwhile if it was graded according to qualifications and experience but they dont want to do that because it would effect membership numbers and the money it brings in.
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When I was seeking work Shaun, I always asked for referrals and it paid off, at the moment irony has kicked in, with regular requests over the past year from my local area, which is very much an A/B area.
C'est la vie !
rob
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Membership demonstrates a level of training and learning has been achieved to pass an exam ................ that is the same with driving lessons and a test, what happens afterwards is a different matter.
I would not risk getting into a taxi with someone who had not definitely had lessons and passed the test though :o
22 yrs cleaning carpets and was never asked if i was a member .......... but i have had jobs in the 3 years since i joined, that i do not think i would have got in the past.
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Pete
Your missing the point that is your not the customer.
The customer who knows nothing about carpet cleaning looks for ways to be reassured about her buying decision. NCCA membership or indeed any specific trade type body will put her mind at ease.
It matters not that theres top cleaners who arnt NCCA approved to the customer she has no way of telling beforehand.
Regarding TMs, a picture of a TM showing its benefits during your sales process will greatly improve your chances of getting the job over a portable company as its percieved value and results. A portable has no performance benefit over a TM and while a professional operator may achieve the same results its the perception to the customer that this big industrial looking machine will produce better results.
Mark
I understand what your saying Mark but i certainly don't think think I am missing the point. Being NCCA member makes you no better than someone else. Wanting to move forward, learn from your peers, and being dedicated to your performance is what counts.
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Point taken but I still think a formal organised structured course is the best, quickest and fool proof way of learning and only for a few hundred quid.
Mark
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This thread was not about the pros and cons of TM or a portable, or indeed TM v portable
Nor was it about pros and cons of being a NCCA member.
Do you remember it was about Richard in Leeds wanting a carpet cleaner for his flat.
He wanted advice on how to get one and what sort of price he should pay for a good service.
He looked in local directory, Leeds being a big place he found loads of them. Some will be very good, some would be splash and dash. But the nice adverts dont tell him which are what.
More then one suggested going to the NCCA website and look for a Leeds carpet cleaner.
I agree that being a member of NCCA does not mean you are the worlds best carpet cleaner.....
BUT it is highly unlikely that someone who is paying £200 per year membership is likely to be a splash and dash merchant, so IMO it is a good pointer.
and on the point of ... if there was a truck mount and a portable outside my house which would I choose to clean my carpets............
I would'nt want either if Micky Mouse was the operator.
There is more to carpet cleaning then grunt from a machine.
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Hi Guys
I would always look for someone who has experience, preferably at least 5 years.
A 2 day course which everyone passes hardly constitutes a trained CC, but I suppose it's better than someone with no experience or training.
I know people will say how does one tell who has experience but I think most people can tell .
Maybe it's time to set up an experienced carpet cleaners association ?
Cheers
Doug
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DOUG.
What aload of RUBBISH i have only been running the carpet cleaning for side of my business for less than five yesrs SO YOU SAY I CAN'T BE EXPERIENCED RUBBISH.I have found out from some of my customers that a so called ( EXPERIENCED ) carpet cleaner they had before didn't vac didn't prespray and didn't agitate before hwe.This carpet cleaner MUST DO A GOOD JOB BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN AT IT FOR OVER 10 YEARS RUBBISH.The customers didn't know any better until i cleaned their carpet and made a better job NOW MY CUSTOMERS.
YOURS AN INEXPERIENCED CARPET CLEANER
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Joe
How many smartly dressed, certificate carrying, individuals have you met in your life, at work, or elsewhere, who KNOW THE THEORY and have the paperwork to proe it, but range from moderately good to useless...........
I have worked with many and have met many more, in all walks of life.
For the past 30 years, people have been directed towards certification and given the impression that being in receipt of " diplomas " or " certificates " gives them the credibility they need and gives employers a sense of security " knowing they have been trained "
The reality is..............they have been given an INSIGHT into the business, mainly in classroom scenarios, but have NOT experienced learning in the REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT and gained the benefit of working with experienced people in that environment.
So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the MODERN psuedo accademic finds themselves in a situation for which they are totally ill prepared and will attempt to put the THEORY into PRACTICE.
I met a man recently who works as a brickie, he was discussing a young man who joined their squad having completed a MODERN APPRENTiCESHIP type course,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the young man was totally frustrating the others and after a week they had enough,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,seems they tell students at the training college to keep oiling their trowels to get optimum performance and the young man wasted so much time following the regime the squad performance was seriously compromsed
just an example
rob
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so called ( EXPERIENCED ) carpet cleaner they had before didn't vac didn't prespray and didn't agitate before hwe
You must have very clued in customers if they could tell the above months or years down the line.
I agree with Doug that experience is a good benchmark as is running a fulltime carpet cleaning business. Again its customer perception.
Mark
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You must have very clued in customers if they could tell the above months or years down the line.
Its called memory - cutomers have memories. How long ago this "experianced" c/cleaner had cleaned the carpets for the customer Tony didnt say, just that the cutomer remembered "he" didnt do what Tony was doing. So it might have been 6 months, 12 months whatever.
Rob, agree with you 100%
what i said is that referring to NCCA was a pointer in the right direction for Richard. He's got to go somewhere to get a carpet cleaner.
I agree generally whats been said about training and holding certificates. You achieved a standard on a certain day - be it written or practical test/exam.
Its what you do afterwards and continue to do that counts.
Back in the early 70's I passed the Institute of Advanced Drivers test both in a car and on a motorcycle.
I feel priviliged to have been trained by both the Gt Manchester Police and Cheshire Police advanced drivers of motorcycles.
Whilst I was involved with the Inst of Adv Motorists and in training learner motorcyclists my standards were high.
Now I am not involved I know my standards have dropped somewhat. (lower then I think probably).
So I am not a massive advocate of joining associations persay..... but they do have a value and at this moment in time I am happy to be a member of the NCCA..................
but yes, experiance counts for an awful lot.
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How come this guy has a 47 posts to his name? He seems very well educated in the world of carpet cleaning, esp. for a guy who doesnt even own the carpets his landlord does allegedly.
This is a post from someone taking the pi##, or is it just me?
Dan
I wouldnt say i was taking the pi$$ at all. IM asking you proffesionals. I never get round to getting this done due to workin full time and different shifts but my landlord is going to redecorate my flat and i thought would be good to get them cleaned at last.
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Whoa! Calm down fellas!
Ive found a CC his names Paul Smith of quality care plus http://www.qualitycareplusltd.co.uk and is very local to me being only a postcode away.
Him being a truckmount did help me make my mind up i think its the vision that it will be better. I perhaps know this is not true from reading your comments!
Has been reccomended by someone on here as being very good.
Many thanks for all your constructive comments and advice.
Its a fountain of knowledge this website.
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Hi Joe,
Quote
and on the point of ... if there was a truck mount and a portable outside my house which would I choose to clean my carpets............
I would'nt want either if Micky Mouse was the operator.
What if Mickey Mouse was an NCCA member, fully trained? :o Just kidding
Richard I am sure you will receive an excellent service, recommendations are always the best way to go.
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Yep I agree Micky could be NCCA - but NCCA is IMO a "good pointer". Got to start somewhere.
Richard - glad you fixed up and as Derek and others have said ..... recomendations are a really good way of finding someone.
and dont be cut up about the "explosions" on here about your post.
as this one calms down another will start............ in fact, it may already have started!
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i do really enjoy reading all the posts on here.
I may not know about the finer details of CC but i do know what u lot are talkin about.
Eventually i do want to run my own cleaning business, i love cleaning everything from floors to dusting to hoovering.
My friends and family say i should put my energies into a cleaning business, but i dont think im mature yet to enough to do this.
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Just to clarify looked back through quotes it was actually £85.00 mate.
Mark
sORRY mate
I dont hve any recollection of this quote how did u send me it? Was it a PM on here?
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Richard,
I thought you did own your own cleaning company, you posted on here not so long ago saying that one of your customers cats had urined on a carpet and you wanted to know if anyone could go out and sort it, i offered and you also asked if i could clean your carpets at the same time. Something funny going on here me thinks!!!!!!! ??? ???
Mark
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I clean a few peoples houses in local area for a bit of pocket money so to speak, i advertised in the local offlicense shop window. A couple of elderly people, help with their vacuuming and stuff like that.
I dont actually have a cleaning company although one day i would like to have.
I remember now, i have a terrible memory.
Yes the urine smell had gone now after the carpet had dried properly so no need to have that area cleaned in the house.
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Hi Tony
Experience is important but not everything but all other things being equal, then one would expect a more experienced CC to be better than an inexperienced one.
However all things are not equal and there are obviously exceptions.
I picked 5 years experience but one could equally argue for 1 or 10 depending on ones perspective.
In the absense of any poper qualifications such as NVQ's experience is the best benchmark we have.
Cheers
Doug
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Very difficult isnt to put a measurement on things.
How do you judge experiance in as much ..... is one getting better as the years go by, remaining stagnent or going backwards.
I know a mechanic who has been at it for years - wouldnt trust my push bike with him..... and I havent got one!
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Ok Doug fair comment.
Mark this customer only moved into this area 18 months ago and used this carpet cleaner to do her lounge when she moved in. No she didn't have a clue who to use all she knew was she was not happy with the results from a so called EXPERIENCED carpet cleaner and when she saw the method i used she knew why cheers m8 Tony ;) ;)
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The guy im using has said hes doing about 4 or 5 stages depending on the carpet i got and how bad it is.
Some others who quoted at the cheaper end said that it was purely a wash of the carpet they were doing and nothing else!