Experience with professional carpet/duct cleaning?

[DisneyDebbie]

I'm in the process of cleaning a house to put up for sale. It's mostly hardwood flooring except for 3 bedrooms. The problem I'm facing is that there was cigarette smoking in the house and occasional accidents from a small dog (only in 1 bedroom). Does anyone have experience with Stanley Steamer type service or I've also been looking into ChemDry. I'm looking to have the carpet cleaned, ducts cleaned and possibly a chaise lounge (because I like it and might bring it to my house)

We already have a painter coming in to use an odor block on the walls and ceiling.

Thanks for any help

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Full disclosure you may want to just replace that carpet due to the reason you're needing the service.

We've used Stanley Steamers one time for one room. I can't say that they did the most amazing out there job but can also say it probably wasn't their fault. It was basically something we needed to tear out the carpet in that room and replace it with new and luckily a local store had the same carpet so we could match.

That said our ValPak offers consistently have coupons for them so you might look out for deals. They left us with some carpet deodorizer for pets that we actually found a different brand that did better.

Our cat was peeing on the carpet but something I would tell you is depending on how bad it is with the dog and what Stanley Steamers told us is that urine smell isn't easy to get out. Soaking into the carpet pad makes a cleaning process inefficient and is the reason it didn't work for us. We pulled up the carpet, and took out the carpet pad and put down Shellac on the subfloor(you need to vent the room for a few days after using it), put a new carpet pad and new carpet. It's never smelled after that.

Given that you're dealing with both cigarette smell and assumedly urine those are things that grip to fabric.

Since you're selling the house I almost would just reduce the price enough with the understanding it would be for recarpeting...but that doesn't take care of potentially needing a odor barrier (that's what Shellac was used for) for the dog's accidents in the subfloor.

 

[barkley]

for 3 bedrooms it would'nt cost a fortune to do new carpeting and that's really the only way to get the smell of smoke out (former smoker here). on the duct work I use a local HVAC company b/c they take tremendous care not to mess up the attached system.

any chance there's hardwoods under the carpet in the bedrooms? if so you might look at removing and either (depending on the cost/your anticipated selling price) refinishing or offering a buyer's credit towards refinishing (or carpet if they so desire).

 

[DodgerGirl]

I know that when my family lived in our apartment my mom used a carpet cleaner to clean our apartment's carpets and I think we were organizing our apartment when my mother found a good carpet cleaning service and "now that I remember it was Chem-Dry" and they did a excellent job on our apartment's living room carpet and they were good. You might also want to check Coit because Coit is one of the best carpet cleaning services and they always advertise deals on their commercials and you should give Coit a call to find out prices and they always have good service. I know this because I used to see Coit commercials and they always showed good service on carpet cleaning
So why don't you give Coit a call and ask what deals they currently are having at this time. Because during the holidays carpet cleaners usually have holiday deals because people like to have their carpets cleaned for Christmas
Hope this advice helps you DisneyDebbie
Dodger

 

[Miffy]

If there is hardwood under the carpets, I think the best solution would be to rip up the carpeting, however--and this is a big however--if the dog peed on the carpet, it's possible that the floor underneath it is ruined and will have to be refinished.

It's also possible that there's not hardwood under the carpet, in which case the solution is the rip up the carpet, thoroughly clean and deodorize what's underneath, and get new carpet.

The thing not to do is use anything scented to mask the odor, because something aromatic could just as easily turn off a potential buyer as the bad odor it's covering.

Despite what selling-your-house advice there is out there, don't burn scented candles or incense--it's a good way to lose a potential sale since many people are allergic to or just highly averse to this sort of thing.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

Thanks everyone! I know there isn’t hardwood underneath because I was around when the house was built. I don’t have experience with pet urine so I think it’s probably best to get new carpet.

 

[FreeTime]

Concerning air duct cleaning, I recently had it done after cleanout and encapsulation of a stinky crawlspace. It really helped get the smell out that was clinging to the particles that were in the ducts for years.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Install new carpet. Buyers do notice. My parents are moving to AL in less than two weeks. I have chosen new carpeting for the non hardwood floors and will have it installed after they are moved. Whole house cleaning after that. New refrigerator on order. Good luck.

 

[Sweettears]

I used to do duct cleaning. Don’t bother with it. It really doesn’t do much. If you really care blow the vents with a leaf blower and then replace the filters. You can send me a check for whatever they’re charging these days.

 

[tvguy]

Install new carpet. Buyers do notice. My parents are moving to AL in less than two weeks. I have chosen new carpeting for the non hardwood floors and will have it installed after they are moved. Whole house cleaning after that. New refrigerator on order. Good luck.

OP, if you have a Real Estate agent already, ask them. We have been involved in the sale of three homes with three different Real Estate agents and their advice was the same. Fix broken things, but do not replace flooring or paint or remodel unless it really really needs it. Better to offer an allowance in the sale to replace things like carpet because odds are, whatever you pick, the buyer won't like it and will change it to their taste. Don't waste your money.
Things buyers do notice:
1) You are including a home warranty in the sale
2) The roof has been inspected, repaired and comes with a warranty for a period of time against leaks.

 

[MICKIMINI]

OP, if you have a Real Estate agent already, ask them. We have been involved in the sale of three homes with three different Real Estate agents and their advice was the same. Fix broken things, but do not replace flooring or paint or remodel unless it really really needs it. Better to offer an allowance in the sale to replace things like carpet because odds are, whatever you pick, the buyer won't like it and will change it to their taste. Don't waste your money.
Things buyers do notice:
1) You are including a home warranty in the sale
2) The roof has been inspected, repaired and comes with a warranty for a period of time against leaks.

The house is only 7 years old. Our RE agent has worked with us for 30 years. We always paint and replace carpet if needed for our own homes and each home has sold to the first person shown the house so we are doing something right. I am a decorator/artist as well and know how to stage and show a home.

Thank you for your advice.