Prepare one brief for comparable quotes
Before asking a carpet, upholstery or mattress cleaner for an estimate, list the actual items and work you want assessed. Keep this sheet with your own notes and send it only to a provider you choose. This page gives no price, books no visit and receives no information.
Give each provider the same brief. A figure based on open carpet areas cannot be compared fairly with one based on whole-room dimensions. Ask the provider how it measures and which areas its price includes.
A room-by-room record to print or copy
Write the unit beside each measurement. For a rectangular area, length multiplied by width gives its area: 10 feet by 10 feet is 100 square feet. List irregular areas separately and ask the provider to confirm measurements. Do not estimate a price from these dimensions alone.
| Item or area | Dimensions and unit | Carpeted/open area requested | Label or material, if known | Question for provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living or family room | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Dining room or hall | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Bedroom or office | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Stairs and landing: count separately | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Area rug | ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Sofa, chair or loose cushions | ________ | Parts requested: ________ | ________ | ________ |
| Mattress: size and maker | ________ | Parts requested: ________ | ________ | ________ |
Describe condition without guessing the cause
Note where a mark is, when it appeared, whether it returned after earlier cleaning, and which products have already been used. Record wear or damage separately. Write “unknown” for a missing material label or an uncertain cause. A photograph may help explain what you see, but the provider still needs to decide what assessment is required.
For upholstery, say which pieces, backs, cushions and loose pillows you want included. For a mattress, find the maker’s instructions and state the size. Do not assume that a carpet process is suitable for either item.
Ask for an itemised written response
- Which items, rooms and measured areas are included, and which are excluded?
- Who moves each piece of furniture, and what access is needed?
- Which method and products are proposed for each material, and what will be checked first?
- Which treatments are optional, and when must you approve an extra charge?
- What drying and return-to-use instructions will apply to the particular job?
- What happens if a material is unsuitable or a mark remains?
Keep personal contact details, health information and documents off this worksheet. Arrange any quotation directly with the provider you choose. Compare the work covered before comparing totals.