How Much should carpet cleaning cost?

From an Angie's list Contributor...

How much should carpet cleaning cost?

Date Published: May 20 2013

by Doug Bonderud, Angie's List contributor

Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service is a great way to deal with general wear and tear or to remove a particularly tough stain. Homeowners often wonder, however, what to expect for a carpet cleaning cost and how to know if they're being overcharged.

The two common pricing types

Every carpet is different and every home a different size, which means there's no "one size fits all" carpet cleaning price. There are, however, two common ways companies determine cost when you hire a carpet cleaner.

The first is "per room," meaning they offer a flat cleaning rate for each room in a home. There are typically size caps on this method, and rooms over the maximum square footage are treated as two rooms. This lets companies offer quotes over the phone, but can artificially inflate the price to compensate for inaccuracy. It's also important to consider just how low a rate may be: anything under $20 per room probably won't come with quality service. Moving furniture is often an extra charge on top of this rate, meaning homeowners need to move couches, entertainment centers and other large objects if they want to keep costs down.

The other estimation method is per square foot. This is more accurate but requires a visit to your home before work can begin. If you own a smaller home, you will typically pay more because the company needs to offset travel and material costs; those with larger homes will pay slightly less per square foot because equipment set up and material requirements are fixed. Average rates run between $0.30 and $0.50 per square foot, and should include all labor, products and a guarantee about the standard of clean - for example, in compliance with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) guidelines.

Different types, different costs

The type of carpet cleaning you choose also affects the cost. Hot water extraction cleaning, known as "steam cleaning," is the most popular method. This kind of cleaning doesn't actually use steam but instead uses high pressure to push very hot water, along with a cleaning solution, into carpet. The resulting moisture is then removed via suction, and the carpet needs at least 24 hours to fully dry. This is the method recommended by most carpet manufacturers for deep cleaning and is often required of homeowners to keep the warranty on their flooring valid. Companies may use either portable electric cleaners or vehicle-mounted equipment for more powerful suction.

Dry cleaning, also known as "low moisture" or "encapsulation" cleaning, uses a chemical solution and minimal water for a quicker clean, but can't reach as deep as powerful wet cleaning methods. Homeowners don't need to wait as long before walking on their carpet, but are often asked to vacate the home during cleaning to prevent accidental chemical inhalation. Dry cleaning typically costs less than wet cleaning, as it doesn't require as much labor or equipment.

Considering extra costs

While most carpet cleaning services now offer an upfront fee that covers all basic costs, it's still possible to incur some add-on costs. The first is for targeted spot cleaning: in some cases, a standard service won't be able to remove a stain completely and will require further followup. This may be covered under an initial contract, but homeowners need to know exactly what they're paying for and what requires an added cost. Many companies have also added extra services, such as color repair and dyeing, as well as dry and steam cleaning services. For a cost, typically assessed at an hourly rate, the company will correct carpet discolored by a stain or restore portions of a carpet to its original color. Always ask for references and guarantees if you choose to use this kind of service.

Carpet cleaning costs depend on the way a company determines rates, the type of cleaning requested and the number of add-ons purchased by a homeowner. No matter the final total, however, homeowners should always receive a transparent, easily understandable invoice detailing what they owe and exactly what it covers.

 

Cleaning Carpets for Health Reasons in Salem Oregon

 REASONS WHY

YOUR CARPET needs cleaning right now!

Reason # 1. Each day Fast Finish removes pounds of dirt, which is very fine sand, from carpet. It is in yours too! Look at the way the carpet lays and notice the look and feel of your fiber. The small amount of dirt and sand that is being carried in each day is abrasive to the fibers resulting in a dulling and even cutting away of the fiber itself and is filling up your vacuum bag. The longer you wait the more damage is being done. 

Reason # 2.While you are taking a closer look at your carpet, touch it and feel the slight sticky surface which attracts dirt and locks onto it. This happens from the normal coming and going daily, plus when we go bare foot or in stocking feet, we shed body oil through our feet onto the carpet. Through a natural process called “Oxidation”, soils bond with the carpet fiber, causing color damage, and can become permanently attached. Waiting too long is throwing away the key that unlocks the dirt and oil from traffic lanes. It is important to always clean your carpet before traffic lane damage starts showing! The longer you wait between cleanings the less assurance you have of removing soil before the damage is permanent. 

Reason # 3. Carpet is great to have in your home because it acts as a filter trapping pollutants in the air so you don’t have to breathe them over and over again. But what happens when the filter becomes full? The air in your home will begin to be a little stale and your family will start breathing in dust mite debris, pollen, pollutants, fungus, spores, bacteria and a long list of other really gross things. Once your carpet’s natural filtering ability gets full, it is time for a thorough cleaning for the health of your family. The truth is, when carpets are cleaned frequently, especially when traffic lanes first show signs of soiling, they last longer and will look better, plus your family will stay healthier too. 

Reason # 4. 

Having your carpets cleaned, for Salem Oregon residents exposes them to other great services that Fast Finish provides. Fast Finish is one of very few companies that has a patent process when it comes to cleaning. Add in a contractors license for decorative concrete overlays and epoxy floors, you have one of Angie's list best companies  in which to do business.  You may call to have your carpets cleaned and find that after they are done you are looking at having your house washed or your concrete sealed or stained.  Fast Finish is into surface restorations taking clean to a whole new level. Visit www.fastfinishor.com and become a raving fan today. You will be glad you did!

Pressure washing in Salem, Dallas, Independence , Monmouth-Oregon areas

Though pressure washers can be bought by consumers, the machinery and process are dangerous, with water pressure powerful enough to cause serious injuries. Also, consumer pressure washers may not delivery the pressure necessary for all jobs.

The cost of professional pressure washing costs between 33 and 80 cents per square foot, depending on local rates and the type of job.   Pressure washing the exterior of a 2,100-square-foot home can cost between $250 and $750. However, if the exterior of your house is clad in lead paint, check with your local health department before pressure washing.

Questions to ask before hiring a professional

Ask how much pressure, which is measured by pounds per inch and gallons per minute, will be used. Some professionals believe more is not necessarily better, especially on surfaces like wood, grout and roofing.(Especially Roofing) always use a soft wash contractor.
Ask if environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions are used.
Ask whether cold water or hot water is used. Cold water might not be as effective on extremely dirty of greasy areas.
Ask for estimates, references, insurance, bonding and license.

Salem Oregon Carpet Cleaners Battle for 1st place on GOOGLE

Type in Carpet Cleaning in Salem Oregon and you will find several companies battling for that 1st place spot on the mighty google front page. The belief is that the top few listed are the best ones to call first. It makes a lot of sense from the easy marketing point of view. People are generally wanting to get things done easily, so calling the top listed 2-3 or even 3-5 companies usually gets the job done with pretty good results. This is no different for any service related company from plumbing to concrete work.
The best and most often overlooked companies that clean carpets are not on the top of the GOOGLE search engines. Only Those who spend the big bucks advertising with the search engines and other SEO related services tend to migrate their way to the top. Let's be honest here, the companies that know how to manipulate, spend and have other manipulators do the work get the favored first on the page prize. I know companies that spend more time with their social network than they do running their business so they can get the business...  And around the merry -go -round we go.
Here are the top things these small business owners have to do to get the prize:

1. Attain an optimized web site and if possible two
2. Acquire a blog- and it update almost daily or weekly
3. Generate tons of feedback and reviews 

Take and cross link all the above items with back links, web site submissions, embedding videos, pictures, updates so that all three have some sort of pattern that refers back to the business
Now you can see where we get on the merry-go-round.  The problem is it gets spinning faster and there is no where to get off without losing your ranking somewhere in the lineup.
This  is why some companies pay top dollar for some other company or service to manage it all for them.
In fact this blog is in the same game linked to a couple other sites so that the search engines crawl over this new content and rush it to the top. Some companies (like ours) have organically made its way to the top of search engines under certain key word look ups. I would love to tell you exactly why that happened, but the fact of the matter is that top secret combination (at least for us) has been throwing a lot of different things out there to see what sticks.  Yeah, we read how all the above was important and rag tagged together the needed items to put together a system. But in all honesty it isn't our fancy web site and marketing that makes Fast Finish great, it is the two owners business acumen, the dedication to improvement and the years of experience- real life experience that clients can relate to.
Oh yeah , the creative mind and high tech patent tools and equipment behind it doesn't hurt either...

TOP 100 Blog Questions for cleaners and customers

What makes your cleaning different from your local competition?

What's the difference between cleaning and sealing and color sealing?

Will you remove the "dents" in the carpet where the furniture legs are?

Will my carpet get dirty quicker / sooner after you clean it?

Can you clean Berber carpet?

Can you clean wool carpet?

I'm sensitive to chemicals. Can you clean the carpet without chemicals?

What time will you get here?

I need to go to work / take the kids to school etc. Can I just leave a key under the mat?

Do you re use the water?

When you are done will my carpet be dry?

How about you throw in that Couch for an extra 20.00, your boss will never know

Can I get a discount if I pay you in cash?

Do you move furniture? Good can you put this bed in other room for me?

Can you get Kool Aid out?

Can you get out plant stains?

Can you cut out or color bleach stains?

Will the carpets shrink after you clean them?

Why does cleaning Wool cost more?

Can you clean my Oriental rug?

Is resolve the best spotter for my carpet?

Will your employees smell like smoke?

Can you also stretch carpets?

Can you guarantee odor removal???

I am highly allergic to perfumes. What reaction can I expect from your cleaning???

I have water flow issues from my well. How much water do you need to use??

Can you get this blood out of the carpet before the police show up???

What kind of spot treatment do you recommend?

Do you provide a bottle of spotting cleaner for me after job is finished?

Can you remove cola/cool aid stains?

Can you provide fast drying services after cleaning?

How often do you recommend dehumidifying a home to help control smell?

What sort of odor control services do you offer?

Do you provide upholstery cleaning services?

Can you make after hours emergency water extraction services?

Why do you charge $150 per hour minimum 4 hours for emergency after hours water extraction?

What are you rates for dehumidifying?

How long should the carpets take to dry?

Can I walk on it after it's clean?

How can I remove gum if your not available?

Steam Cleaning vs Dry Cleaning - Which is better?

Why should i use your Company over another?

Are the Detergents you use Safe for my family?

Will my carpets need Cleaning more often once i have them cleaned?

Why are you more expensive than others that advertise a lot cheaper.

Do you move furniture?

Why do you cost so much?

Are you certified?

Are you bonded?

Are you insured?

How long have you been cleaning carpet?

Does Scotchgard / Teflon really work? Do you recommend them? What do they do?

What's the best thing I can do to maintain my carpet between professional cleanings?

What if I refer a friend or friends to you?

Do you provide other carpet services?

when should i have carpets cleaned

will cleaning void my warranty

will cleaning cause damages (wrinkles

how often should i vacuum

-Why is carpet wet so much longer after its scotch guarded

-Is the carpet sanitized after your 210-230 degrees touches my carpet

-Why do some cleaners sell sanitizer when your wand is breathing boiling water on the fiber.

-Is air duct cleaning a scam

- explain why this guy is 6.95 and this company has no price until a estimate

What kind of guarantee do you give?

Do you vacuum the carpet?

How long will it take you?

I just spilled spaghetti sauce on my carpet. Should I do anything before you get here?

Who does the work?

What happens if you break something?

Will the chemicals stain my carpet? How do you know?

If I have a problem who do I contact?

How long have you been in business?

Do you have any references I can call?

What can I use to get some spots out?

What do I use to clean up urine?

Is cleaning my carpets too often bad for the carpet?

Will you move all my furniture?

Will your hoses damage my walls?

Do I need to send out my wool rugs for cleaning?

Is your truck going to leak oil on my driveway like the last guy?

Are you going to keep my door open on this cold day?

How long have you been in the industry?

Can you get out all the stains?

Why do some stains come out and others don't?

What should I do if I spill something in between visits?

When can I remove the tabs under my furniture?

Will the chemical make my dog want to urinate on the carpet?

Will cleaning the carpet remove the "Dog Smell" in my house?

Why does my carpet look "Gray" in some areas?

Why is the carpet colored different in different areas? 

Why do some stains re-appear?