You should choose a professional based on six main criteria:
Any cleaning company should be able to provide an inquirer with a list of companies and/or individuals for whom they provide services. A cleaning company should also have affiliation with their local trade association, which shows commitment to professionalism.
OUR REFERENCES
PRO-TECH Carpet Cleaning Services currently services over 400 clients in the Portland metro area. Among them are top-selling real estate agents who recommend our company exclusively to their own clients as well as use our services themselves. Feel free to read some of our clients comments here. PRO-TECH Cleaning Services is proud to be the only carpet cleaning company that has been certified by Elders in Action as an Elder Friendly business. This is a guarantee to seniors that they will be treated with dignity, respect, and that special effort will be made to meet their individual needs. PRO-TECH Cleaning Services is also a member of CCINW, or Carpet Cleaners Institute of the Northwest. CCINW is trade organization made up of the top companies in the area. All of the companies in the CCINW are committed to improving their professionalism through ongoing education. We are also a member of the Gresham Chamber of Commerce.
Many companies that advertise in the phone book have very little experience, many for less than a year. Look for a company that has been in business for at least several years, and has dealt with a wide variety of situations.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We have been providing upholstery, flooring and carpet cleaning services to satisfied clients for over ten years. We do not send out inexperienced employees. In fact, the owner is present at each and every job. Over the years, he has encountered a wide variety of situations. He has cleaned literally thousands of carpets. He has frequently re-dyed spots in carpets, removed "permanent" stains from furniture, and has cleaned many sensitive fabrics such as haitian cotton and silk. His experience is a guarantee to customers that their furnishings are in good hands.
Look for a professional that is well educated in his field. He must be able to show credentials that he has undergone proper training that meets industry standards. See Industry Standards below.
OUR EDUCATION
Our company is certified by the IICRC in all services that we offer. Being certified means that we have received industry-recognized training to learn proper techniques. We are certified in commercial and residential carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, carpet repair, oriental rug cleaning, carpet dyeing, and water damage restoration. The owner, Chris Boston, is an IICRC Certified Master Cleaner, the highest cleaning designation. We are also members of ASCR, or Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration. Through ASCR as well as IICRC, we continue to educate ourselves on the latest procedures and chemistry by attending seminars and classes. In addition, we are an IICRC Certified Firm, which means that in addition to having proper training, we abide by a strict code of ethics and carry all necessary licenses and insurances.
Concern for the welfare of the customer should be a cleaner's top priority. He should use procedures and cleaning agents that are safe for people and pets. Available equipment has improved dramatically in the last several years, which greatly improves the overall experience. Look for a company that values these improvements.
OUR PROCEDURES
We do not cut corners when it comes to using proper cleaning agents. We use solutions that are made specifically for the type of fabric or surface being cleaned. We follow IICRC guidelines as to the use of proper temperature and pH during cleaning. We absolutely refrain from using any products which could cause harm to us or anyone else. We also rinse the carpets after cleaning so as not to leave any residue behind. We strictly follow all IICRC cleaning guidelines.
OUR EQUIPMENT
As far as equipment, we recognize that every job requires the right tools. We upgrade our equipment as necessary to be able to provide consistent service. We use a top-of-the-line truck-mounted cleaning system that is not only extremely reliable, but also dries carpet faster than any other machine available.
Many carpet cleaning companies use dishonest advertising by employing a bait-switch-method, where they advertise an extremely low price to hook customers, then switch to much higher prices once they are in the door. Any legitimate company should be able to provide you with firm pricing based on what is being cleaned.
OUR PRICING
We use consistent pricing on all jobs. We do not arbitrarily raise prices nor do we have "hidden fees." If there are any additional fees, we always let the customer know up front. Using the price guide, customers will have a general idea of the cost of a job. You can call us anytime to schedule a free estimate. Please see the services section to see what is included in each service.
You should not hire a cleaning company that does not offer a customer satisfaction guarantee. They should be willing to stand behind their work and offer to fix a problem free of charge.
OUR SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
We stand behind everything we do 100%. The client's satisfaction and our continued relationship is more important than anything. We will do whatever necessary to fix a situation. Our tag line "The most thorough cleaning ever, or it's FREE!" doesn't just apply to our carpet cleaning services. If a customer is not satisfied with any work, the work will be redone. If the customer is still not satisfied, their money will be refunded. No questions asked.