A client in Denver said my cleanout method was too messy for their new carpet

They asked if I could lay down a heavier tarp and use a shop vac right at the fireplace opening instead of letting soot get into the room. I switched to a two-step containment system with a HEPA filter vac, and it's cleaner but takes 20 minutes longer. Do you think the extra time is worth keeping a customer happy, or should I stick with my faster method and maybe charge less?

2 comments

2 Comments

jesse_craig223d ago

Okay but "too messy for their new carpet" feels like a bit much. It's a fireplace cleanout, some dust is gonna happen. You're already using a tarp. I've seen way worse jobs where guys just let it fly. Spending an extra 20 minutes for a bit of soot seems like overkill. Maybe they just have really high standards, or they're the type to complain no matter what you do.

perez.mia3d ago

Yeah @jesse_craig22, I get the "some dust is gonna happen" thing, but man, soot is a different beast. That fine powder gets everywhere, even past a tarp edge if you're moving around. I did a cleanout last month and spent the extra time with a shop vac right at the hearth and damp cloths for the brick face. The client actually tipped me because their white rug was spotless. It's not about high standards, it's about what the dust actually is. Black soot on new carpet is a nightmare to explain.