Beware of companies that solicit business over the telephone, or offer cheap prices through mailers, newspaper and other media. While reliable companies advertise in many of the same media the bait and switch companies offer prices that appear too low to be true and they usually are.
Check references by asking friends whom they have used and been happy with. Ask the store you bought the carpet from or another local retailer for names of reliable Cleaning companies. Call the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification – IICRC for names of certified companies in your area. That number for the computerized referral directory is (800) 835-4624.Whether the company is recommended or certified it is always a good idea to check references from more than one source.
When feasible have a representative of the cleaning firm visit your home and inspect the carpet for cleaning. Have them explain to you what they are going to do and obtain a written estimate in advance of the job. Written estimates not only help you to compare services it protects you against later on being charged for services that were already included. If large pieces of furniture such as beds, dressers, hutches and entertainment systems are to be moved, have them listed on the estimate.
Warning! Many cleaning companies quote a low price in the newspaper or on the phone. When they arrive at the house they add on a variety of services, many of which should have been included to begin with. E.g., spot removal, preconditioning, deep cleaning, triple processes, pile setting, vacuuming, sanitizing, etc. They charge and additional fee for each of the additional services and in most cases you are paying more for a poor job than you would have paid to the quality company who appeared more expensive in the beginning.
