[mattyex4]

HELLO EVERYONE

             I will try not to be too long winded, being fairly new to the carpet cleaning world i have been quite lucky with my jobs so far ie not too difficult, had a customer phone wanting me to take a look at some stains for insurance purposes and quote for possible work.

It seems a workman from a gas fire firm has been a bit careless and marked a lovely beige 80% wool carpet, i have had a look and the spots around the fire covering about a square mtr the could be oil from worktools or marks from the pretend cinder that the gas stoves have, i reckon he knocked them onto the carpet and tried to scarper.

   the customer wants me to write a letter first ie costs and possibility of removing stains, i explained without having a go just not sure.

i was wondering if anyone had tackled black coal or cinder type stains on beige before and what the would reccomend.

your knowledge is much appreciated

 
best regards
mat

[Mike Halliday]

are you getting paid for this? typing letters, looking at stains, giving advise.

its easy to be caught up in the Insurance trap.

this sort of thing always takes time and is the customer willing to pay or are they expecting this all to be paid for by the insurance.

tell them that an insurance letter cost £65, attempted stain removal is £45 all paid by the customer and it is there responsiblity to claim it back from the insurer.

we are not charities who work for nothing, but the customer always expects us to do all this without them having to dip thier hand into thier pockets

Mike

[stevegunn]

Been stung like this before.Went out viewed stain typed up letter with the intention of me getting the job when the insurance paid up.Called round to see customer 2 weeks later as i was passing to find our local £10 a carpet merchant cleaning her carpet.When i asked if the insurance had paid out she said yes but i was too expensive went to my van and presented her with a bill for £45 for my time.She paid  but was not happy now i charge £45 for jobs like this then knock it off the bill when i do the job.

[tony harrison]

Hi Mat,

If the staining is from the soots off the coals then we have always had a good response from Prochems Ultrapac renovate, but make sure that you rinse it out.

Kind regards Tony

[Chris Bailey]

Sound advice Mat

As far as product is concerned, oil then use POG, eco spotter etc, if it is soot then use eco spotter or Ultrapac Renovate

test first, rinse well.

Chris

[John_Flynn]

Totally agree with the 2 previous replies, they will have you going out in your time, typing up a letter in your time then NOT come back to you!!

My wife was given some advise by a solictor some years ago he said to her " Do not trust anybody" many years later I have started heeding his advise.

Tell your clients that your fee's are payable when you turn up to advise let them claim it back or be out of pocket.

Also remember when you tackle that stain the problem becomes yours if you do not remove it.

Walk away my friend. Been there done that!!

[jasonl]

Why not take it a stage furthur, "insurance report " is much  more professional, measure carpet, report on type of carpet,condition, cause of staining up to 30 mins of attempted removal = nice earner and good service, everyone is happy to pay except the skint or the scammer.

[John Kelly]

You need to charge for this Mat, if the customer is covered with the big insurers and she contacts them they will invariably send out Chem-Dry, Servicemaster, Rainbow etc.

[Fintan_Coll]

I gave Insurance quotations for free some years ago but a lot of them never contacted me afterwards, now I always charge.
Is it not the case that no matter who the Insurance  Company may suggest the Insured can choose whatever cleaning company they wish?.

[Derek]

May I clarify one point for the new people to our industry.

I am sure most will include either "free estimates" or "free quotations" somewhere within their advertising.

Estimates ..is just that.. a price that can be adjusted at some point.
Quotation.... a firm price that is binding.

A written survey/report is entirely different..it means that you have to visit to inspect and then prepare a comprehensive report...this is chargeable.

Like others I have been caught out in the dim and distant past...three insurance quotes in one day..no job.. and I soon saw the light.
The insurance Company used to ask the client for three quotes...two companies were going to be disappointed.
 
Many customers then obtained the money from the insurance companies and promptly hired a machine to do it themselves.. all the professionals misssed out

Derek

[John_Flynn]

I'll second that Uncle Derek.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

Derek raises an important point , a quote is not free to you!

I had an enquiry on Monday via the website for Corringham for a commercial  quote(prob about £400) and the first time I'm anywhere near there is next Wednesday.

Had a think and rang back day later.

Hi its Doug Holloway from the Carpet Cleaners.This helps flush out multiple quotes.

'Which one are you' came the reply. :

I explained couldn't quote til next Wed , 'oh thats o.k we are only getting a few quotes at this stage'

W'ont be getting one from me because  , firstly they may not even have job done and secondly I've probably only got a 20% chance if they do , so it's not worth the time.

Cheers

Doug

[John Kelly]

It is correct that legally the insured can appoint their own contractor, however the insurance companies try to avoid it as it creates more work for them. They try it on by saying things like "if you use your own the work is not guaranteed" in a way this is correct if you use your own and they cock it up it is then your responsiblity to sort it out, the insurance company will not get involved.
In view of this a lot of policy holders opt for the approved contractor.

[mattyex4]

thanks guys your advice has been great, and you are right in what you say the company that caused the stains are asking for at least 2 quotations inc measurement of area, confirmation that marks can be removed, cost of labour, cost of materials, this definately constitutes a written report and survey alot of time wasted and a slim chance of gaining the work, i will certainly charge for services such as this in the future and then maybe deduct if i am given the job.

p.s does anyone know a good place to get the mentioned chemicals from

best regards

mat

[neil 47]

matty try craftex no web site but do seem to have a good reputation i think they are in taunton.

Priory Bridge Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 1QB

Phone: 01823 332696
Fax:01823 336398

there u r 
  Neil

[Len Gribble]

Neil

They have in a roundabout way www.craftex.net

Len

[tony harrison]

Mat   
                                                                                                                             if you are looking for Ultra Pac Renovate try Prochems web site for info

www.prochem.co.uk

Regards Tony