[Darran Pryce]

How many of you have knocked back a job as the carpet has not been fitted correctly?  Went on a job Thursday and two of the 3 carpets (all axminster) were not fitted correctly.  The gripper rods were badly broken (almost all four side of the rooms).

The two rooms, the carpets were 1/4" short round the skirts.  I asked them if they had cleaned the carpets before as they look like they have shrunk.  They said they had used a rug doctor last Christmas! 

To be honest the property was rented and they had abused the house.  I told them I cannot clean the two of the rooms, but can arrange someone to sort the carpet rods out and to see if they can re stretch the carpets. After explaining to them about the rug doctor etc I left it with them, and gave them contact details of a friend who is a carpet fitter.   

I cleaned the master bedroom carpet without any issues.

Question is, how many of you have refused to take on a job due to a carpet not been fitted correctly in case of shrinkage?

This is my 3rd time I have knocked back jobs.  Better to be safe than sorry!



 

[Simon Gerrard]

Well you could take photos of the pre-existing shrinkage and then explain the issue to the client, telling them the only way you can clean them is if they accept that they may shrink some more. If they agree and they often do, write it on your invoice, 'client accepts risk of further shrinkage' and ask them to sign it. This way the issue has been explained to them and if they tell,you to go ahead despite the risk is on them and not you.

Simon

[*Hector*]

But Simon, you know as well as anyone, that bit of paper would not be worth the paper it is written on if they decide to sue you for damages...
The judge would say that as the professional you should have used your professional knowledge and not risked the further shrinkage.

Daz did the right thing IMHO.

[Simon Gerrard]

Hector,
You're quite right, to a degree. The point is if you explain the issue to a customer and explain the risks and have them sign for it, you are covered for professional negligence. It's only negligence when you proceeded and the carpet shrunk.
Plus, if there was a problem it is highly unlikely to go to court because the customer knows perfectly well the issue and that they authorised the job to proceed, despite the issue. It is no different to pre-qualifying a customer to any other issue, stains not coming out etc.
You could of course just LM it!

Simon

[CleanerCarpets]

sounds like they were Belgian Wiltons not Axminsters to me

[Mike Halliday]

I've never refused to clean a carpet because it's not fitted properly, on 99% of carpets this has nothing to do with a carpet shrinking.

If there was a gap around the edge I would piont it out to the customer but still would clean it.

[CleanerCarpets]

agreed

[Simon Gerrard]

Best to take pictures of it and let the client know you have done it, just in case they try to blame you'd for it afterwards

[Darran Pryce]

I thought about taking pictures, but paranoid about comeback... nothing lost nothing gained... 

[Simon Gerrard]

We always take pictures of any pre-existing damage, nowt wrong with it as long as the camera is pointed at the issue and nothing else.
The trouble is in this game is that there is always someone lurking amongst all of the perfectly reasonable people we serve that will claim you shrunk the carpet, or ripped the sofa arm, caused the stain (that was hidden beneath the soil) etc etc, having a record of things before you start work is a good idea, just in cases, as they say in Poland.

Simon

[mr muzzy]

I told a lady on Thursday that there was a good chance of her carpet shrinking,
the carpet was fitted ok  but would still shrink
your better safe as sorry, Belgian Wiltons was the old classic for this

[Robin Ray]

Surely the carpet will only shrink if you over wet it or there is a chance of over wetting it. If it has signs of shrinkage already then the damage has already been done. As said beforehand I would point it out before doing the job but still do it.

[stuart_clark]

I carry gripper rods and a ball glue gun in the van, if I come across situations like this , I point out to the customer that I can re fit the carpet and supply new grippers obviously at an additional cost, if they are not in agreement then I walk



Stuart

[John Kelly]

Wool woven carpets are not usually an issue they will usually stretch back. We've had them power stretched 3 inches after water damage. £160,000s worth in one hotel.