Consumer advice for carpet, upholstery, rug & floor cleaning
Let Wizard Cleaning guide you through the cleaning maze
Firstly, be wary of web sites and advertisements offering Free Cleaner Consumer Guide, Cleaning Tips & Hints, Non-Profit Cleaning Reports, Recommended Best Cleaners, etc
There is an increasing number of cleaning businesses setting-up misleading web sites and advertising which on the surface appear to offer independent and unbiased advice to consumers about services such as carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile cleaning, rug cleaning, floor cleaning, steam cleaning, etc.
This is just a ploy to fool you into a false sense of trust. Don't become a victim of this gimmick! We recommend you read our consumer advice below then use your better judgement when deciding whether a cleaning business is trustworthy.
Please consider these factors when reading these types of web sites and advertisements…
• Is the business an official organisation (e.g. Do have an .org or .gov web address?) such as Consumer Affairs, Choice Magazine,
Cleaning Associations, etc
• How many cleaning businesses do they recommend? In most cases they only list 2 or 3 cleaning businesses in each state.
Some of these web sites are actually the same business or part of the same company or affiliated in some way.
Most of cleaners listed on these websites pay an advertising fee.
There are hundreds of good cleaners in most states… Why are only a few listed as recommended cleaners?… The answer should
now be obvious…Do you really want to do business these cleaners?
Secondly, the ‘Bait-and-switch’ technique is common in many service industries including the Carpet, Upholstery, Rug & Floor Cleaning sector.
This does not mean that all cleaning businesses practice this deceptive “rip-off” technique. There are many reptuable cleaners in most suburbs. Unfortunately, the no-so-good ones give their industry a poor reputation! The best thing to do is steer well clear of them and they will either go out of business or move on.
Please consider these factors before booking any cleaner…
• Each week there are new start-up cleaners who advertise cheap prices and make many promises to try and get your business
• Do they take the time to listen to YOUR requirements and explain how they can best assist you
• Many of these ‘operators’ have minimal experience, none or inadequate insurance, use substandard or over-diluted solutions,
have poor communication skills, are an unregistered business, do not provide an official invoice or receipt and business card
• Is the person doing the job an employee or a subcontractor
• Are unwilling to provide evidence of their business registration and current Trade and Public Liability insurance policies
Do you really want to take the risk of inviting this type of cleaner onto your property?
Here are the key items to assist you with selecting a professional cleaning business:
Advertised Price, Quote and |
If the advertised price appears too good to be true, it probably is.
Also be aware of cleaners that try and justify a high charge by stating they have special ‘heavy duty’ equipment, special solutions, etc.
Professional cleaners use quality equipment and solutions and, clean to a standard. Don’t be fooled into thinking paying a lot more money will result in a better job or service.
For example, prices for carpet steam cleaning of a standard-sized empty 2BR unit with a low to medium level of soiling with lift access and offstreet parking will range from around $79 to $250+.
In this example, we would charge between $100 to $130.
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Service and |
The price should never be the sole decision for choosing a cleaner. As with all professionals, quality workmanship deserves a realistic price.
You really do get what you pay for (within reason)…..don't pay good money for substandard work and service AND don’t get overcharged for a good job. |
Fine Print and |
Read the fine print in advertisements to find out exactly what the price does and
does not include, for example: • What is their definition of a room; minimum charge or rooms to be cleaned? • How many cleaning stages are included in their standard charge: · Eg. Pre-Vacuum, pre-spray, agitation, spot/stain treatment, cleaning, rinse, deodorise • Will they move furniture? • Do they service apartments without lift access? • Do you have a choice of steam or dry? • Are they trying to pressure sell you extras? • Will they provide a specific arrival time and job duration. Beware that there are many cleaning companies that overbook their technicians and as such will only provide you with an arrival time of morning or afternoon - do you really want to be waiting around for several hours hoping they will arrive? |