Hi!
I've been contacted to perform carpet cleaning at a sporting godds dtoe in the area. They faxed me some info on the job, in which they listed the carpet cleaning to be performed as "Soil Extraction". I personally think they mean HWE, however to me the use of encap with either CRB, rotary, Mex, etc. (preceded and followed with vacuuming) or even conventional bonnet cleaning with a "bonnet" cleaner or Punch would also satify the terminology. I believe the carpet is a CGD level loop which I personally think might turn out "better" by encapping with my CRB as opposed to extracting with my Demon. It is paying less than 10 cents per square foot also makes me lean toward encapping.
What would you take "soil extraction" to define?
Thanks!

It is not unusual for the facility to have no idea on how to provide meaningful specifications for a cleaning. It doesn't matter what you or we think. It only matters what they think.

I did 5 schools a few years ago with encap. They only paid 7 cents. When I was done, they then decided the specs were not only for HWE but truckmounted with fresh water rinse.

They are hiring you- hopefully a trained and professional cleaner.  Explain to them that "Soil Extraction" is a vague term.  You can then do one of two things:

1)  Either get them to just trust you by guaranteeing clean carpet- then you encap everything that you can.  You can HWE if you have to on spots, but if you are experienced with encap a sporting goods store should be no problem.

OR

2)  Specify what they mean by "Soil Extraction".  If they mean HWE, you may have to tell them that is will cost more then .10 per Sq Ft.  Hopefully you know what your costs are and what you can make a profit at.  Personally, I would have a hard time making a profit at .10 per Sq Ft (or less)- with HWE.  That is even marginal for encap- UNLESS there is a lot of unobstructed area you can encap by yourself- keeping your costs down.

You can use this analogy with them:

"When you car is not operating properly.  You go to an auto mechanic.  You ask him to determine the problem and the cost of the repair(s).  If you are both agreeable to the price and time frame the mechanic fixes your car- using the most appropriate tools and methods to accomplish the repair is the most affordable and timely manner possible.  Unless you are also an accomplished auto mechanic you generally allow the mechanic to determine the correct tools and procedures- as long as your car gets repaired properly- Correct?

They say: YES.

"I am like the auto mechanic I am a specialist in my field and can tell you that at .xx per Sq Ft I can guarantee that your carpet is clean, using industry standard methods, professional equipment, AND that you are completely satisfied.  When would you like me to start making you carpet healthy and vibrant again?"

You can always exchange the auto mechanic and cars for a Brain Surgeon and brain surgery if you like- makes it more fun sometimes.

Make your own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

I see more good advice comming from the young grasshoppers, like Del and Derek ie; the above posts. I really think it is time for this Old Grasshopper to step aside and let these Professionals take over. I like what I am seeing and hearing.

Sounds like good salesman ship also. I'm finding our customers need education and proof of what encapsulation is and can do. I myself had to be sold on it. In fact I did my own house so I could live with the effects of encapsulation. I'm truly impressed - dryer, slower resoiling, stain resistance is better. I provide my customers with support material as well as offer on large jobs a demo, even a small office or reception area, they like that confidence. I'm also finding that some have been swayed about encapsultion negatively by cleaners who don't provide the service. When a potential customer has negatives about it because of what someone said, I always ask, " Does that company offer encapsulation?" most of course don't. That opens the door, I explain whatever they offer of course they will project it as being the best, I offer both HWE and encapsultion so I can speak from personal and professional experience. I agree the sporting goods store would probably do better in the long run with encapsulation. Best of Luck.

It sounds like you are doing work for a MMM company. Typically, corporate specifies what they want and the MMM low bids for about 7 cents a s/f and pays you 5 cents. Usually the store manager only wants to know how soon you can finish. The MMM only cares that you get the work order signed so all can get paid.

When this is the case, I just encap the carpet and don't say anything, except, to tell them to vacuum the next day.

If they insist on HWE, do what Rick G. does. Take an extractor, attach the hose to the handle of the Cimex, turn on the vacuum and encap anyway.

Thanks Ray.

However, even the "experienced" Shaolin monks did not step aside they still offer their wisdom and training to all that needed and were open to it.  I, for one, will never be a Master, (though the IICRC will disagree this next month).  I always am a Student, no matter how old or experienced I may become.

Obi Wan continued to help Luke after he had been struck down by Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker/Luke's Father (...OOOOPS did I ruin that part for everybody- sorry!)

You keep on doing exactly what you have been doing.  You and many others here have made this the most helpful and friendly carpet cleaning message board around.  Somedays I just go to the ICS BB and hang my head in shame, that fellow carpet cleaners want to act like such children and be so negative sometimes. 

I am at a point where I absolutely avoid being around negativity.  Sometimes I find myself writing a response to a post on ICS that may have some bite (and spite) in it and when I proofread it, I delete it, when I realize- WHY?

So Ray, to you, Rick G, Rick L, Danny, Kevin, Derek, and so many, many others stay in the game- we all make pretty damn good team- ugly- but damn good.

Make your own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

Thanks for the perspectives. I agree, with the points. Mark nailed it, I was contacted by an MMM(?what doe that stand for? ? maintenance mgmt.?). They had contacted me about cleaning some carpet then emailed the work order with the terminology. When they called I was on my cell, working and heard extraction but couldn't make out the word preceding it, when I received the w.o. it has soil extraction. At approximately 2000ft. for $200 it seems the numbers mandate the procedure, etc. Perhaps that is why they are purposefully being so unspecific with the terminology. Del I like your illustration. Will be an interesting thing possibly.

Maintenance Management Mafia

well said Del.

good thread.

thanx --- Derek.

Maintenance Management Mafia, eh ??

I was trying to think what MMM meant, and all I could come up with was..............................


Maintenance Management Morons

Makes me think that some of these types would run a close second to The Three Stooges.

Cheers,

Shorty.

I've seen the light, and changed my ways.

Del your comment about reply to a post on other boards reminded me of how many times I've done the same thing. Typed otu a reply only to delete it. This is the place ot come when you want help/information.

I do a couple commercial facilities like this. One is street level & I reach it with the truck & one I bring in a portable. I treat all the big spills & waiting rooms by HWE then lay down the wand & hose & proceed to cimex. Everyone is always happy.