Mistake #1 Choosing a tile & grout cleaning company based on equipment alone.
Sure proper equipment is necessary to do a good job, however if the operator is not properly trained the best equipment in the world won’t do what it is supposed to do. The best way to know that the tile cleaner have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Before you choose a tile & grout cleaning company, ask to see written proof of the company’s and the technician’s IICRC certification.
Mistake #2 Choosing a tile & grout cleaning company based on low price.
Lowest price could mean a very costly mistake in three ways:
- Low price is the bait that gets you to call & schedule the appointment. Once in your home, you are pressured into a more expensive job.
- Lowest price can be for a ‘single-process’ Once explained, the customer is pressured to purchase the more expensive “dual/deluxe process ” (Illegal “bait-and-switch”).
- Lowest price probably means the tile cleaner has minimal skills, will be using the cheapest chemicals and inferior equipment – you could actually be paying them to ruin your floors!
Mistake #3 Choosing a tile & grout cleaner based on a single telephone call.
As with choosing any service provider it is always a good idea to check the credentials of the tile cleaning company before you invite them into your home. How long have they been in business? Do they offer firm, written quotations prior to performing any services? Make sure to get references & read comments from current clients. These are all important considerations to avoid becoming the victim of high-pressure sales tactics when the technician steps into your home.
Mistake #4 Choosing a tile cleaner that doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.
Inexperienced cleaners have all kinds of reasons why they would never offer a guarantee: “What if the tile is 20 years old and has permanent stains? – I’ll lose my shirt.
Experienced cleaners know that consumers aren’t unreasonable, generally. They have a pretty good idea which of their stains are permanent and they don’t expect a 20-year-old tile that 4 kids and 10 pets were raised on will look like brand new because it was cleaned. They also know that a company that doesn’t offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee is not very confident of their ability to delight their clients with good old fashioned skill and service. Ask him if he offers a written guarantee and make sure it is included on the written quotation.
Mistake #5 Choosing a tile & grout cleaning company who doesn’t use safe, natural cleaning products that are free of harsh chemicals.
Most tile cleaners use a toxic chemicals, that according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can cause damage to the liver, central nervous system, and kidneys.
Some of the harmful ingredients that may be found in tile cleaners include:
- Pesticides
- Disinfectants
- Formaldehyde
- Fragrances
- Acids
- Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
Besides being detrimental to the health of humans, these tile cleaning chemicals can also be harmful to animals & the environment as well. When the toxins in the chemicals are exposed, they contaminate both air and water which harm the earth.
Mistake #6 Choosing a tile cleaning company who isn’t certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
I shudder to think what some of these guys are doing to people’s tile by going out there with no formal training and trying to operate a truckmount that puts out 3 gallons of 200-degree water per minute at 500 psi.
Though seeing your operator’s certification (not his boss’s) doesn’t guarantee he will do a good job, not seeing it can mean just about anything.
Please give us a call at (973)343-7627 if there is any additional information, questions or concerns. We look forward to being your tile & grout cleaning company of choice.
