Basement suite carpet cleaning in East Vancouver: what to know before you book
A lot of East Vancouver lives downstairs. Grandview-Woodland, Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew-Collingwood and Kensington-Cedar Cottage are full of houses with a suite below, and those suites have their own carpet problems: low ceilings, small windows, a damp corner by the laundry, and a turnover every year or two. Here’s how we clean a basement suite, how to help it dry, and what it costs.
Why basement suite carpet needs a slightly different approach
Less airflow. Small windows and low ceilings mean moisture hangs around longer. That’s why the extraction matters more than the wash. Our truck-mounted unit pulls most of the water back out, so the carpet is left damp, not wet.
Damp corners. Suites near a laundry room, a hot water tank or an outside wall can have a musty edge. We pre-treat those spots and tell you if the smell is coming from under the carpet rather than from it, because no clean fixes a leak.
Heavy traffic in a small space. One entrance, one hallway, and every step goes over the same strip. Traffic lanes get a pre-treatment before the rinse.
Separate entrances. Most East Van suites have their own door off the side or the lane. We run the hose straight in through it, so the upstairs is never disturbed.
What it costs
Carpet is $90 an area before the current promo, plus GST. An area is a room up to 150 sq ft, a hallway or a set of stairs. The minimum is $210, which covers up to 3 areas.
| Suite | What’s cleaned | List price |
|---|---|---|
| Studio suite | Main room and hallway | $210 (minimum) |
| One-bedroom suite | Bedroom, living room, hallway | $210 (minimum) |
| Two-bedroom suite | 2 bedrooms, living room, hallway | $360 |
| Two-bedroom suite plus the stairs down | 2 bedrooms, living room, hallway, stairs | $450 |
| Whole house with suite | Upstairs 3 bedrooms, hall, stairs, plus a 2-bedroom suite | $810 |
The last row is common for owners between tenants: one visit, one setup, both floors. The current promo comes off jobs above the minimum.
Landlords and tenants
If you’re a tenant moving out after a year or more, BC’s Residential Tenancy Branch generally expects the carpets to be steam cleaned or shampooed, and sooner if you had a pet or smoked. Our guide to steam cleaning carpets when moving out in BC covers the details. You get a dated invoice that lists what was cleaned, which is what most landlords ask to see.
If you own the house, we can clean the suite between tenants while the upstairs carries on as normal, and invoice you directly. Tell us whether the suite will be empty or furnished when you book.
Helping a basement suite dry
Most carpet is dry in 3 to 6 hours. Downstairs, give it a hand:
- Turn the heat up a couple of degrees for the afternoon.
- Open every window you have, even a crack.
- Run the bathroom fan and the dryer vent fan if there is one.
- Put a box fan in the doorway pointing out.
- Keep the door to the upstairs open if you can, so warm air moves through.
Skip the dehumidifier on full blast pointed at one spot. Even airflow dries the whole floor evenly.
Before we arrive
Vacuum if you can, pick up anything on the floor, and move small things off the carpet. Tell us about parking: a lane or a spot near the suite door makes the hose run shorter. We work weekdays, 8:30 to 4.
Book it
Count the rooms, the hallway and any stairs, and book carpet cleaning in East Vancouver online to see your total. A couch in the suite? Add it to the same visit at $90 a seat.
Common questions
Can you get a musty smell out? If it’s in the carpet, usually yes, with a pre-treatment and a deodorizer. If it’s coming from the underlay or a leak, we’ll tell you honestly.
Do I need to be home? Not always. For an empty suite, a lockbox or a key with the owner works. We’ll text you when we start and finish.
Can you clean the suite and the upstairs on different days? Yes, but one visit is simpler and usually cheaper, because the minimum only applies once.
Ready to book? See carpet cleaning in East Vancouver, or call (604) 802-8500.