It’s always smart to be cautious when shopping for new carpet or flooring for your home.
Carpet scams are common and are often hard to foresee. Here is some sound advice from a trusted carpet expert you might want to consider before you agree to buy new carpet or flooring from any nationally advertised corporate retailer like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco or Empire Today.
Learn the Truth about Choosing New Carpet wisely, How to quickly spot common retail Carpet Scams and make Smarter Carpet Choices!
Carpet Scams and Rip-offs at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Empire or Costco?
Costco has been taking down their carpet displays and now just have a brochure.
Don’t Fall For Those Relentless TV Ads about their Free or low-cost Carpet Installation Specials!
The last time I checked, all four of these Giant National Carpet Retailers use OTHER private companies to facilitate their carpet sales, measuring and installation services.
That means if you ever have a carpet problem or complaint, you may have a hard time finding anyone to help you or take responsibility for making things right. If they do return your calls, they usually blame the other guy, or they blame you for choosing the wrong grade of carpet, or for not maintaining the carpet properly.
Have a Carpet Complaint?
If it is a carpet defect, you’ll have to contact the carpet manufacturer to come by and inspect your carpet, if the carpet is still under warranty.
If you have an installation problem you’ll have to contact the carpet installer directly. The installer will take a look at your carpet if you are still within the standard 1-year warranty.
Did the retail salesperson misrepresent the product you purchased? Did they say it was a good choice for your home? Good luck with that, as you are solely responsible for making wise and informed carpet and padding choices that can meet your needs, goals and lifestyle.
Take my free Carpet Foot Traffic Test to help determine what Grade of Carpet you should choose for your home.
Carpet Shopping at Costco?
Costco members may be shown a small display with a rack full of miniature carpet samples or brochures. (Lately they have been taking the samples down) See the photo at the top of this page?
Costco’s New Carpet and Flooring Brochure for 2021
If you grab their free brochure you will be provided with a phone number to call to start your in-home Carpet Consultation Process. A commissioned salesperson will bring samples to your home and be happy to write up your order and arrange for installation.
While they may carry some good quality carpet, be prepared for sticker shock when you see what the total cost for carpet, padding and installation will be.
Private Labels on their Carpet Samples?
You can’t comparison shop easily because they change the carpet brand name, style names and color names to thwart you. You would need to take their carpet samples with you into other local carpet stores to try to compare both samples side by side. It’s definitely not fun or easy to do, and is time consuming. Not to mention that they will not leave all their carpet samples with you.
If you are in the market for new carpet or flooring of any kind, I think you should consider buying new carpet from one of the recommended carpet stores I have listed in myPreferred Carpet Dealer Directory.
Most homeowners quickly discover that selecting new carpet is difficult, time consuming and confusing. this website was created to help homeowners sort through all the nonsense and confusion.
If you don’t do your carpet homework, it is easy to make costly mistakes and end up unhappy with the performance of your new carpet.
Making wise choices requires that you do your carpet homework before you begin shopping for new carpet.
What Is Berber Carpet?
Berber carpet has been around for a long time and was originally handmade by the Berber tribe of North Africa.
In fact, Berber carpet is still hand-made today in some parts of Africa but it does not resemble the Berber Carpet styles you will find at your local carpet retailer.
Berber carpets became popular in America in the early 1980’s and has grown in popularity ever since! Homeowners today have many choices and options with Berber styles, colors and quality levels.
Here are some important facts and useful Berber carpet information to help you choose the right style of Berber Carpet for your home.
Berber Carpet Styles
Simple Loop Berber
Multi-color Loop Berber
Patterned Loop Berber
Cut and Loop Berber
Patterned Loop Berber
Patterned cut and Loop Berber
Cut Pile Berber (no loops) (aka California Berber)
Berber Loop Size Matters!
Like I said before, Berbers made with larger loops tend to mat down more quickly, so choosing a Berber with made with smaller loops may be a better choice and will resist matting better especially in heavy traffic applications.
Commercial quality Looped Berber styles usually have the smallest loops and carpets made from Olefin (polypropylene) and is a common choice for those who want a higher level of durability and less potential for matting or crushing of the pile over time.
In most commercial settings, carpet is mainly glued down to the floor without using any padding. This creates the most durable and longest lasting configuration. This is what you see in banks, airports, office buildings and other heavy traffic applications.
In a residential application, you can use a thin 1/4″ to 3/8″ padding to make the carpet softer to walk on, but the density rating must be at least 8 pounds.
Using a thicker pad, more than 3/8″is not recommended because it will significantly reduce the lifespan of the carpet and increase the potential for the carpet to develop waves and wrinkles.
Here is a Simple Looped Berber Carpet
These are large loops. Smaller loops make the carpet more durable and less prone to matting and crushing of the pile.
Looped Berber Carpet Styles
Loops can be easily snagged and pulled. If you have active kids or pets then a Looped Berber Style may not be a good choice for you.
Repairing snagged loops can be very costly. Some snags can run (like a pair of nylon stockings) causing major damage to your carpet that may not be repairable.
Active kids and pets are often the cause of snags to Looped Berber Styles.
Berber Loops tend to quickly bend over or “crush” in moderate to heavy-traffic applications. This is especially true with Berber carpets made of Olefin.
The larger the loops are, the more prone they are to matting and crushing. Basically the loops just fall over and never stand upright again, no matter what you do.
Choosing a Berber with smaller loops will decrease the chances for matting and crushing.
Choosing a Berber carpet made from a Nylon fiber will reduce the chances of matting and crushing of the pile significantly.
Cost to Install Berber Carpet
Berber carpet is much more difficult to install than regular carpet styles. Berber is a heavy carpet and is much more difficult to handle, seam and cut.
Most installers charge at least $1-2 extra per square yard for installing Berber carpet and also charge a higher price for installing Berber on stairs. Learn more about Carpet Installation Cost
What is the Best Padding for Berber Carpet?
All Berber carpet styles require a high density padding and a lower thickness than other non-Berber carpet styles. In most cases, a minimum of 8-pound density and a thickness of no more than 3/8” is required.
Check with the carpet manufacturer to make sure you select the correct padding specifications. Using the wrong padding can void your carpet warranty and may cause your carpet to wear out prematurely.
This style of carpet has very tightly twisted tufts, usually rated at 6 twists or more, which is why it is well known as a more durable carpet style.
The tufts are not straight like a plush style, rather they are crooked, or wiggly in appearance.
Frieze styles when made from Nylon, are often used in moderate to heavy traffic applications because its higher tuft twist rating make it more durable than most plush carpet styles.
Many homeowners like a Frieze because it provides reduced footprint and vacuum marks.
You’ll likely have to pay more for a Nylon Frieze as they are generally more expensive than plush styles.
Frieze Pricing (Made of Nylon Fiber)
Prices for a basic Frieze style start at about $3.34 per square foot ($30 per square yard) and go up from there.
The cost for a quality padding and proper installation will be extra. You should be able to get a package deal for carpet, pad and installation for about $5.00 per square foot.
All Frieze styles have a unique and elegant appearance and would be a great choice for any home.
Based on the number of twists per lineal inch of tuft.
This Tuft has 7 twists and is a sign of a well-made carpet. Frieze styles have tufts similar to this and cost about $30 per square yard on average, or $3.33 per square foot. Pad and install not included.
This Tuft has 4 twists and is not nearly as durable. This is a sign of a lower-grade carpet.
Inexpensive Plush and Textured Plush styles often have tufts similar to this and range from $10 to $20 per square yard or $1.11 to $2.22 per square foot. Pad and install not included. More expensive styles have higher Tuft-Twist ratings.
Carpets with a lower Tuft Twist Rating (of 3 to 5), tend to untwist or “blossom” at the tuft tips more quickly, thus creating a worn out, frizzy looking or matted down appearance.
Carpet rarely wears out from the loss of fiber, they just start to mat down; gradually lose the luster and shine; and just start to look ugly.
Once the tufts have blossomed or become matted down, the damage cannot be reversed or repaired.
If you can… Keep the original carpet sample you selected and ordered from, until after your new carpet has been installed, use for comparison purposes.
Many homeowners often forget exactly which carpet style and color they ordered, especially when it takes several weeks for the carpet to be delivered and scheduled to be installed.
This is not always possible when dealing with smaller retailers. They may not be able to leave the carpet sample with you for an extended period of time.
If you are unable to retain the carpet sample, then make sure you write down the brand, style number and color number for future reference.
Take a photo of the back of the carpet sample showing all the manufacturing details.
Ask These Key Carpet Buying Questions… Before you sign off for new carpet!
You always have the right to know the name of everyone who is working in your home.
Write down the full name and phone number of the installer.
Ask for his State Issued Contractor’s License Number (if required in your State)
Ask to provide a Surety Bond and Business Liability Insurance. Confirm it!
If your Carpet Dealer is providing carpet installation services for you, as part of a package deal, your Carpet dealer is responsible to make sure the installer they provide is qualified and has all his legal and licensing affairs in order.
Before the installers arrive
Have furniture, wall pictures and knick-knacks removed from rooms to be carpeted.
Make sure all valuables are put away safe and secure.
When the installers arrive at your home
Check the carpet brand, color and style to make sure it is exactly what you ordered.
Cold carpet is more difficult to install. Have all rooms to be carpeted pre-heated to 70 degrees, 3 hours before and all during the installation process. This helps make sure the carpet can be stretched properly.
Carpet installation tools are razor sharp. Make sure kids and pets are safely out of the way in all areas to be carpeted. Never allow children or pets to roam free during installation.
What to do “After The Carpet Is installed”
Do a walk-around with the installer and inspect the carpet thoroughly. Make sure to inspect all the carpet seams.
Make sure all your questions and concerns are addressed before the installer leaves your home.
Read Your New Carpet Warranty
Obtain a copy of the New Carpet Warranty and Read it.
Do not make the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the completed job.
New Carpet Care and Maintenance
Read the manufacturer’s Carpet Warranty and follow all suggestions and requirements.
Vacuum your carpet regularly. Spot clean as necessary.
Never use bleach on your carpet unless it is recommended in your new carpet warranty.
Consider Buying a New Carpet Vacuum
Visit my Best Vacuums page to learn more. Keep all receipts for professional carpet cleanings, as they are required as proof of proper maintenance if you ever need to file a Carpet Warranty claim.
Always hire a professional certified carpet cleaning company.
Never use a store-rented carpet cleaning machine to clean your carpets while under warranty.
I buy plenty of items from home improvement stores like home Depot and Lowe’s and I shop every week at Costco. They have a good selection and some good deals on many household items I need. However, I would never buy new carpet or flooring from any of these large retailers.
Choosing new carpet is way more important than buying a double sized box of Cheerios or a freshly cooked Rotisserie Chicken from Costco, or a hammer and box of nails from Lowe’s or a wheel barrow from Home Depot.
Selecting new carpet is a personal adventure to enhance your lifestyle. It’s also a major purchase that can increase your home’s resale value if you choose wisely. Not to mention the years of enjoyment you get from having a beautiful home to share with friends and family. You need to buy from knowledgeable carpet experts who can answer all your questions, provide accurate measures, a reasonable cost and make sure your job is done right from start to finish.
Don’t be tempted. Have you seen those TV advertisements offering $99 Carpet Installation or Free Carpet installation? Maybe you are wondering who has the lowest prices? Empire Today Prices vs Home Depot carpet prices… Well, the Carpet Professor website has all the answers you need to help you find the best place to shop and buy new carpet near me and you. Don’t take chances buying carpet from giant conglomerates who farm out all their services to other companies. Buy Local! Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
Homeowners often make simple but costly mistakes.
It is extremely important that you select the right flooring materials for your project. Aside from the cost, choosing the right grade or quality level is challenging enough and your selection should not be left to chance.
When shopping for new carpet or flooring, having a knowledgeable and experienced salesperson readily available to answer your product questions and installation concerns is more than important. The problem is, you don’t get that level of service when you shop for new carpet and flooring at warehouse stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s or Costco.
Too many unsuspecting homeowners make simple but costly mistakes that are easily avoided. Shopping at a reputable, locally-owned flooring store is how to choose wisely and avoid installation problems.
New Carpet From Lowe’s or Home Depot?
Many nationally advertised Carpet retailers use OTHER privately held companies to handle their carpet sales, carpet measuring or carpet installation services. You never know who you are really dealing with.
That means if you ever have a carpet problem or complaint, you may have a hard time knowing who to call, finding anyone to answer your calls and locate the right company responsible for making things right. Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
Should I buy Carpet From Lowe’s or Home Depot? What about Empire Today or Costco?
Did You Know…
Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco contract out all their measuring and installation services to various privately-held companies.
Empire Today REQUIRES all their salespeople to form their own CORPORATION so they will be Independent Sales Contractors
Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free basic carpet installation if you meet certain purchase requirements. Anything your job requires beyond their limited definition of a “basic install” will incur additional hefty charges and fees.
Costco members can grab a brochure with a number to call to start the in-home Carpet Consultation Process – provided by another privately-held company. Costco is just a referral program and take their share of the profit right off the top of your carpet purchase.
What does this all mean to YOU the homeowner? With so many fingers in the pie it is not too hard to figure out that you might end up paying way too much for your new carpet if you buy from a nationally advertised company.. Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
Carpet Sales from Lowe’s, Home Depot or Empire?
These nationally advertised conglomerates take a large chunk of the profit right off the top. Then let other privately held companies and independent sales contractors each have a shot at making more money from your new carpet purchase.
From costly measuring fees to needless carpet and padding upgrades, from carpet and padding removal and disposal fees to extra unnecessary and costly installation add-ons. There are plenty of ways they will try to make you fork out more money before it’s all said and done.
The Lure of a Great Sounding Deal…
Get Three Rooms for the Price of One!
Get 60% OFF New Carpet
Free Basic Installation!
Free Padding!
Low Price Guarantee!
Do these advertising sales gimmicks sound familiar? Get out your magnifying glass so you can read all their fine print regarding these unrealistic sales tricks and gimmicks.
Carpet Installation from Lowes
Their advertised free carpet installation deals are designed to attract unsuspecting homeowners who would like to save money on new carpet and flooring but don’t know how to go about doing it.
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot have been trying to lure-in unsuspecting homeowners for years by offering low-cost or free “basic” carpet installation.
They make up a portion of this sales gimmick by charging more for the carpet and padding and by greatly increasing the added cost for anything extra you might need to complete the job.
Lowe’s Carpet Installation Free?
Lowe’s offers free carpet installation if you spend enough on new carpet and padding. Then they add on extra fees and charges for anything and everything that is beyond their limited definition of a “basic” installation. Their limited definition of a “basic install” seems to vary from time to time so their free install offer is always subject to change.
Their so-called “free” carpet installation that lures many homeowners in, may not be totally free once their farmed-out measuring estimators and sub-contracted installers get a good look at your home and discover what extras are needed to complete your project. Don’t be surprised if there are numerous extra fees & charges tacked-on.
Lowes Carpet Installation Extra Charges?
Lowe’s and Home Depot require that you pay for the entire carpet job IN FULL before they will place your carpet or flooring order. But that doesn’t include any unforeseen costs, add-ons, and extra fees and charges.
Your final bill comes on the day of installation when the carpet installer determines that your job requires additional labor for various things like moving heavy furniture, special transitions, floor prep, repairs and extra material and labor fees.
You never know what problems they might uncover after removing your old carpet and padding. I’ve seen a lot of dry rot and other forms of sub-floor damage lurking underneath old carpets.
There are hefty charges tacked on for anything considered beyond their current limited definition of a “Basic” carpet installation. They have to recoup the cost of free installation somehow.
Carpet From Lowe’s or Home Depot? These extra fees and charges can easily add up to hundreds that you were not forewarned about. That is, unless you took the time to read all their fine print.
Home Depot’s Low-Price Guarantee?
They say they will beat any competitor’s price by 10%, but according to their fine print, that’s only on identical in-stock items. That makes it virtually impossible for anyone to substantiate because they put private labels on all their carpet samples.
Sneaky Carpet Sales Tactics
The Big Box home improvement warehouses have been charging homeowners a measuring fee just for coming to your home and sizing you up. The fee may be refundable if you agree to buy from them.
This is designed to add more sales pressure on you. They want to prevent you from shopping for carpet at other local stores. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you think that if you don’t buy carpet from them, you will be forfeiting the $75 to $125 measuring fee have already paid.
Accurate Carpet Measuring?
From what I have been told by industry insiders, their licensed & certified measuring specialists they contract with, are required to measure your home using a “special method”.
Does that mean they add another 5, 10 or 15% of material to the total? Likely so! They are not going to tell you how many square feet your home needs. When they are all done measuring they leave to do all the calculations back at the office.
Carpet Measuring From Lowe’s or Home Depot?
You will never know if their measurements are accurate. Even if you get several bids / estimates from other local carpet dealers. Why? Because they don’t give you anything you can use to verify their measuring. You will just get an estimate based on “one-price” to do the whole job.
Basically, they want to make darn sure there is more than enough carpet or flooring material to work with. That way, they never have to worry about running short of material during installation.
That might translate into you paying for a lot more for new carpet & pad then you might actually need. Just adding an extra 10 yards of material could easily add $300 or more to the total cost for your carpet job. Ouch!
Empire Strikes Back?
Empire Today likes to attract customers by airing repetitive TV ads featuring unbelievable sales offers with next day installation. If you call their 800 number, they will send a salesperson to your home who will show you flooring samples and try to “close the sale” in just one visit. Questions you need answers to are:
Am I getting a fair & square deal on the total package deal?
What is the price for the carpet. padding and installation separately?
How long will this carpet last in your home?
What fiber is this carpet made of?
Are they selling you a Polyester carpet and say it’s just as durable as a Nylon Carpet?
These are just a few questions that you need solid answers to before you should commit yourself to buying from any shop-at-home flooring retailer.
What are Private Labels?
They intentionally change the names of all their carpet styles and colors to make it nearly impossible for you to comparison shop. The exact same carpet might cost a lot less at the local carpet store down the street, but with different names how would you know? You would have to lay out carpet samples from both stores side by side to compare.
Lots of carpet retailers use private labels on their samples. It’s almost the norm these days. Home Depot’s low-price guarantee sure sounds good until you read all their fine print. Can you say the word “exclusions”? What do I suggest? Homeowners need to avoid unscrupulous carpet retailers and only buy from locally owned, honest and reliable carpet stores.
Private Labels Make It Hard To Comparison Shop
All these giant retailers all use private labels on their carpet samples. Most farm out the measuring and installation of their products to other privately help companies. Some even have other companies do all the selling too. What does this mean to you?
If you have a complaint, you may have to deal directly with the independent contractors to seek a remedy.
Have a Carpet defect? You’ll have to contact the carpet manufacturer and have them inspect your carpet.
Have an installation problem? You’ll have to contact the carpet installer. No one likes getting called back to deal with a homeowner complaint.
If you can’t get a suitable remedy for your issue, you may have to file a claim in small claims court. The problem is, who is actually responsible for making things right and how can you prove that in court?
Costco Executive Members?
Costco members were once shown a small display with miniature carpet samples. Lately they have been taking their displays with samples down. Executive members are offered some extra benefits that may be of interest to some folks. Like a longer warranty?
If you grab their free brochure you will be provided with a phone number to call to start your in-home Carpet Consultation Process. Be sure to read all the fine print very carefully to see what added benefits you might qualify for, if any.
“An independent flooring consultant will bring samples to your home and be happy to write up your order and arrange for installation.”
While they do carry some good quality carpet, be prepared for sticker shock when you see what the total cost will be. Again, you can’t comparison shop easily because they change the carpet style names and colors to thwart you.
To compare carpets, you would need to take their carpet samples with you into other nearby carpet stores and compare both identical samples side by side. It’s definitely not easy to do. They know you probably won’t take the time and trouble to do this, and it is unlikely that they would be willing to leave their carpet samples with you anyway.
You seen those TV advertisements offering $99 Carpet Installation and Free Carpet installation?Maybe you were wondering who had the lowest prices? Empire Today Prices vs Home Depot carpet prices… The Carpet Professor has revealed where to find the best carpet store to buy carpet and flooring near me and you.
Not all carpet dealers are honest and reputable. If you are in the market for new carpet or flooring of any kind, I think you should consider getting a free estimate from one of the carpet stores that I have listed in my Preferred Carpet Dealer Directory.
It’s taken me years to locate, investigate and identify these locally owned and family-run businesses. I suggest you visit several flooring retailers near you, get several free estimates and be sure visit a carpet store that I recommend if you can.
Decide for Yourself Where to Buy New Carpet
When it’s all said and done, I think you will agree that my preferred carpet dealers are knowledgeable, reliable and reputable! You’ll be treated with respect, get a fair & square deal and get great customer service… Before, during and after the sale.
It’s hard to find an honest and reputable carpet store these days! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers. Are there any recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
The BEST and WORST Places to Buy New Carpet? You need to buy from an honest and reputable carpet dealer!
With over 30-years of hands-on experience in the Carpet business, I’ve learned that some Carpet Retailers are more reputable than others, and some carpet sellers should be avoided at all costs! See which carpet stores I recommend and where you can get your absolute best deal on new carpet and flooring near you.
Here’s How I Rate Carpet Retailers On a Scale of One to Five…
#8 Nationally Advertised or BIG-BOX Carpet Retailers
1.5 Stars out of 5
These corporately-owned businesses blanket the airwaves with constant and repetitive TV commercials, radio ads, billboards and bus stops! They have locations all over the country. They offer unbelievable deals on new carpet and flooring, including low-cost or free carpet installation.
I don’t recommend buying carpet from Home improvement warehouses like Lowe’s and Home Depot because they only sell the materials to you. They make arrangements with various independent contractors to handle the in-home measuring and installation. They take their profit right off the top and never have to worry about dealing with any problems or complaints you may have after the sale.
“Should you have a carpet defect or installation issue, they may just tell you to contact the carpet manufacturer directly or call the installation company to seek a remedy.”
Many local carpet stores have rolls of carpet in-stock and ready for immediate installation.
If you want to do-it-all-yourself and save a lot of money… create a detailed diagram of your home with all the room measurements and bring your truck, some rope and maybe a tarp if it is raining! These local dealers offer low prices and have dozens of rolls of carpet “in-stock”. They cater mostly to homeowners on a tight budget, landlords and property managers and D.I.Y. homeowners. They have plenty of inexpensive, lower-quality, defective or second-grade materials. Have them roll out the carpet before you agree to buy it to make sure there are no obvious defects. Check their guarantee carefully and get everything in writing before you sign on the dotted line. Once you buy it, you own it. no refunds.
The main problem when buying carpet from this type of retailer, is that they rarely have the same type, style or color of carpet available. That means if you need to buy more of the exact same carpet you bought today, it may not be available for you to buy tomorrow. Once a roll of carpet is sold, the same type, style and dye lot (color) may be gone forever. No two rolls of carpet are exactly the same. There will be differences in color or style that may be quite obvious once it is installed.
These dealers may offer in-house installation or they might just hand you a list of local installers for you to call and hire on your own. If you have to arrange for your own installation you must negotiate with the installer and pay them directly. In the end, if you pay just $8.99 per yard for the carpet, don’t expect it to last for 10 years. Even though you may get a great deal on discounted carpets, always remember that there was some reason why it was not able to be sold as first-quality goods. See which carpet stores I recommend near you
#6 Buying Carpet from a Carpet Layer
2.5 stars out of 5
Most carpet installers have piles of leftover carpet in their garage.
Some carpet layers have longstanding relationships with local carpet dealers, or may have a way to order new carpet and padding at near wholesale prices from local suppliers. Carpet layers often end up with sizable leftovers from bigger carpet jobs because carpet so many salespeople over-measure their jobs.
When there is a lot of carpet leftover the installer may take it home and try to sell it on Craigslist or in your local newspaper. If you find an installer who has some leftover carpet or other flooring materials available at a very low price, you need to understand that they have a limited supply of those materials and have no way of getting any more of the exact same color or style. There is no manufacturer’s warranty on these materials whatsoever and no recourse if you end up unhappy with the performance.
Still, you can find some real bargains this way. As with any contractor you hire to do work on your property, I suggest you check references, verify their contractors license and business liability insurance to make sure they are all current and up-to-date. This might be an inexpensive way to go if you are just doing one or two rooms or if you need to replace carpet or flooring for a rental property.
#5 Franchised Carpet Resellers
2.5 Stars out of 5
These carpet dealers are often locally-owned but are hooked up with a national carpet distributor or co-op to increase their buying power and decrease their shipping costs. They usually use private labels to prevent you from comparison shopping at other carpet local stores. It is often much more difficult to get carpet specifications from these resellers, and it makes it much more difficult to comparison shop their products. Even so, you can still negotiate a fair deal if you know what you are doing and don’t rely on their salespeople to make choices for you.
Many co-ops do not provide installation so you may have to locate a good installation crew and pay them separately. You will have to work a bit harder to schedule and orchestrate everything, and may end up paying a little more buying from a franchised flooring dealer. but they usually have a list of local installers for you to call and they do offer a wide range of quality carpet and flooring products. Which carpet stores do you recommend near me?
#4 800-Carpet Wholesalers
2.5 Stars out of 5
These are carpet and flooring peddlers who will send you small carpet samples through the mail. They want you to buy their carpet virtually “sight unseen” (other than a small swatch) There are no refunds on discounted carpets so you really have to be fully aware of all the fine print. You can save money if you buy from a reputable carpet wholesaler as long as you know exactly what you are buying and fully understand how the entire carpet buying process works and what is expected of you, especially regarding the delivery of the carpet and what you are required to do if you need to return a roll of carpet.
Some 1-800 carpet outlets stores are reputable and some are not. The burden of being knowledgeable about your purchase falls solely upon you. Can I really buy new carpet at wholesale prices?
#3 Online Flooring Retailers
3 stars out of 5
Need Hardwoods, Ceramic Tile, Luxury Tile or Laminate Flooring? These online companies move a lot of product and can be a smart way to go if you are careful and do your homework. The biggest problem I hear about is the poor quality of the materials they offer. For example: If you buy hardwood flooring that is considered “Seconds” (cabin-grade?) it can be very difficult to install and the amount of warped, unusable or damaged product you receive can be significant and have as much as 25% waste or more.
Buying first-quality hardwoods is much more costly but the outcome is much better than if you buy a “cabin grade” product. It’s hard to know how much material to order when you have no Idea about the amount of unusable product they will be sending you. It can be a real nightmare when you have to re-order more materials because you did not have enough to finish the job due to the amount of unforeseen waste.
You can save money buying from an online flooring wholesaler as long as you know exactly what quality or grade of carpet you are buying and know in advance exactly how the entire buying process works from start to finish. Even so, you are taking your chances because you must trust what the salesperson tell you, of fails to tell you. Shipping costs can be high too and if you are not happy with the product you order you may have to pay dearly to ship it back and also pay a hefty re-stocking fee.
Some online flooring retailers are reputable and some are not, and knowing who to trust is the hard part. Even if you succeed in buying a good quality flooring at a discount, you still have to arrange for your own installation or install it yourself if you are so inclined. I highly suggest you read all their fine print and ask to see their return policy and restocking fees.
#2 Shop-at-Home Carpet Retailers
4.5 Stars out of 5
It’s great to be able to shop-at-home for new carpet. It’s fun, easy and it saves time too.
Many people love the convenience of not having to travel from store to store in search of the perfect type, color and style of carpet or flooring and prefer having samples brought to their home. It makes matching colors easier in your own home under the optimum lighting scenario.
Many locally-owned carpet dealers are now offering shop-at-home services and this can a smart way to go for those who don’t want to drive all around town and deal with conflicting and confusing salespeople.
There are a few nationally advertised shop-at-home flooring dealers that I do not recommend, like Empire Today, because they tend to push carpets made of polyester, have unreasonably high prices and use independent high-pressure salespeople. However, I believe that “in-home carpet shopping” is a wonderful service, especially for folks who have a hard time getting around.
There are many reputable shop-at-home carpet stores that offer quality products, have knowledgeable salespeople and reasonable prices. The shop-at-home for carpet concept is getting bigger and bigger!
Currently, I have many reputable shop-at-home carpet dealers listed in my Preferred Carpet Dealer Directory that I am happy to recommend, including The Carpet Guys who serve the metro Detroit Michigan area.
With a few remnants stood up along the back wall, some in-stock rolls of carpet on display, a neat and tidy showroom and a good selection of brand name carpet samples to choose from. These long-standing neighborhood carpet and flooring retailers buy first-quality goods directly from the carpet manufacturer, provide excellent customer service, have fair & square pricing, have knowledgeable and helpful staff and provide qualified installers. Should you ever have a problem or complaint they will do whatever it takes to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.
Creative Floors in Orlando Florida is a locally-owned, family operated carpet store.
Not all locally owned flooring dealers are honest and reputable. Over the past few years I have compiled my own “hand-picked” list of reputable locally-owned Carpet Dealers that I am proud to recommend to my readers. The dealers I recommend have passed my own set of strict rules and requirements before I list them in my directory. Where to buy new carpet and flooring? Which carpet stores are recommended near me?
It’s hard to find an honest and reputable carpet store these days! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers.Are there any recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
The Stainmaster® brand, well-known for it’s Nylon 6,6 fiber, was recently purchased by Lowe’s. Why? Personally, I think this is just a sneaky sales tactic designed to con homeowners into buying carpet from them. Consumers have other options.
Carpet Sample Display
I never recommend buying new carpet from Lowe’s, Home Depot or Empire Today. But from now on, the only way to purchase new carpet with the Stainmaster® brand name, is to buy it at Lowe’s. They have spent a lot of money to buy the Stainmaster brand.
The good news is you don’t have to buy carpet from Lowe’s to get the exact same benefits that Stainmaster Nylon 6,6 is so well-known for.
Stainmaster brand carpet has always been made with the Antron® Nylon 6,6 fiber.
The same exact Nylon fiber known as Antron Nylon 6,6 and is available at other local carpet retailers under different names. It’s the same fiber, manufactured by the same fiber company, but it just doesn’t have the Stainmaster®brand name attached to it.
So, you don’t have to shop for carpet at Lowe’s just because they bought the Stainmaster® brand name. You can still buy new carpet made from Nylon 6,6 at many local carpet stores and enjoy all the same benefits without having to pay more for the Stainmaster® brand name.
So don’t buy Stainmaster brand carpet at Lowe’s, choose new carpet made with the Nylon 6.6 fiber at a locally-owned carpet storenear you!
Watch out for new TV advertising from Lowe’s about Stainmaster® Brand Carpet.
I’m sure Lowe’s has a big advertising game plan on its way to try to convince homeowners to buy Stainmaster Branded Carpet now that they own the Stainmaster brand name. My advice? Don’t fall for their advertising sales gimmicks. Buy from a local flooring store instead.
Discover What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Selecting New Carpet…
What makes one carpet More Durable than another?
What carpet fiber is best able to tolerate Heavy Foot-Traffic?
What makes one carpet able to Resist Stains better than another?
Best ways to avoid common Carpet Scams and Rip-Offs…
How much should you spend on new carpet?
The Best and Worst Places to Buy New Carpet!
These are just a few of the super important things you should learn about before you ever begin shopping for new carpet.
As a consumer advocate, my goal is to help educate and inform homeowners. I want to make sure you choose new carpet wisely and end up happy with your carpet or flooring purchase for many years to come.
Don’t Choose the Wrong Grade of Carpet!
Be careful who’s opinion you trust! You might hope to buy carpet that will last for 15 years. What will you do when it wears out in just 5 years? You should never blindly trust the information or advice provided by any carpet salesperson.
Take the time to learn Your Carpet ABC’s before you begin shopping for new Carpet. Choosing the right grade of Carpet is not as easy as most folks think. It’s not like it was 20 or 30 years ago when most carpet was very durable.
Today there are thousands of different colors, textures, patterns, grades and quality levels to choose from. Choose the right grade of carpet today and I guarantee you will be happy with your purchase for years to come.
Visit my free consumer website to learn a whole lot more. How to Choose wisely, Save time, Save money and Avoid common retailer carpet scams! Take my free Carpet Foot-Traffic Test to see what grade of carpet you might need to choose for your home based on your own unique needs, goals and lifestyle.
It’s hard to find an honest and reputable carpet store these days! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers. Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
Q. I need to purchase new carpet for my home. How do I choose wisely, but also get it done quickly & easily?
Welcome, I’m Alan Fletcher aka The Carpet Professor, a 30+ year carpet expert and consumer advocate. I’m retired now and don’t sell or install carpet anymore, but if you are in the market for new carpet or flooring, I’ve posted lots of free articles and provide handy tools and guides to help you make wise & informed choices.
The key to choosing new carpet wisely is to match your needs and goals with your level of foot-traffic. This puts you in control of how long your carpet lasts and how much you need to spend to accomplish all your goals.
Looking for the Best Deals? Honest & Reliable, Buy Local!
The Fast & Easy Way to Shop for Carpet?
1. First, take my free Carpet Foot Traffic Test. Do you have low, medium, moderate or heavy foot-traffic? Knowing this will determine what grade of carpet can tolerate your level of foot-traffic for the length of time you determine.
2. Use my Carpet Durability Guide to find and identify the grade of carpet your home requires. Ask your retailer to provide you with the specifications you need. Obtaining these specs is the only sure-fire way to know if a carpet is capable of meeting your needs and goals. Learn more about carpet manufacturing specifications.
3. Narrow down your choices with my free carpet shopping forms, guides & checklists. These handy resources are designed to save you time & money, make sure you ask all the right questions, and help you locate the best carpet choice for your home.
4. Where to Buy Carpet? You need to purchase from a retailer who provides you with the best price, best service and best selection. You may be tempted to buy from nationally-advertised corporate entities like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco or Empire, but I hope you avoid these companies and purchase from a locally-owned retailer instead. I’ve built a special hand-picked list of local carpet stores for you to consider. Check out my special handpicked list of preferred flooring dealers. Buy Local!
How To Choose New Carpet?
As you will soon discover when you begin shopping for new carpet for your home, office or rental, choosing the right carpet can be quite challenging, confusing and complicated, not to mention costly!
If you choose the wrong carpet type, style or grade you stand to waste a lot of money and/or end up with a carpet that does not perform nearly as well as you might have hoped.
In many cases, brand new carpet will mat down so fast that it will look worn out in a very short period of time, often in just a year or two. This is what happens when the wrong grade of carpet is selected.
How To Select the Right Grade of Carpet?
Some carpets are designed for low foot-traffic applications. They cost less because they are made with lower quality materials. A low grade of carpet would be a bad choice for a household with active kids and pets.
As a retired carpet expert, I know how important it is for homeowners to take the time to learn how to select the right grade of carpet. A grade of carpet that is designed and built to meet their unique needs and goals. Do you know enough about Carpet Specifications to choose wisely?
What are your needs and goals? Answer these questions; How long do you want your new carpet to last? 5, 10 or 15 years? What is your level of foot-traffic? Low, medium or heavy? Take my free Carpet Foot-Traffic Testto reveal your F/T score.
I created CarpetProfessor.com to help educate homeowners how to choose new carpet wisely; how to avoid common retail carpet scams; and how to properly maintain new carpet. Insider Secrets to Choosing New Carpet Wisely? This a free service I provide with no strings attached. You also have free access to all myfree carpet shopping forms, coupons and checklists.
It’s getting harder to find honest and reputable carpet stores! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They provide free estimates, fair & square pricing, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers. Are there any reputableCarpet Stores Near Me?
Is a Looped Berber a good choice for children and Pets?
How to select the right carpet style and grade for your home and avoid common consumer carpet buying mistakes.
Q. How well does Berber withstand high traffic areas? Is it easy to keep clean and what kind of padding is best? I am going crazy trying to decide if I want a plush or Berber. I have a newborn and know I will soon have lots of messes to clean up!
Alan’s Response:
Don’t spend a lot on new carpet if you have small children!Children are very hard on carpets, they spill everything imaginable and parents are often too busy or too tired to clean up messes quickly enough to keep up with the demand.
Looped Berbers made from the Olefin Fiber are hard to keep clean, they snag easily and are not recommended for folks with active children or pets.
For folks without active children or pets: Berber may be a good choice.Fact: Inexpensive looped Berber carpets made with Olefin tend to snag easily and mat down more quickly.
Most Berber styles are made with loops. Some Berbers are called “cut and loop” having both loops and cut loops, Some Berbers have patterns and some do not, and still other Berber styles have no loops at all.
Carpet Fibers…
Berber style carpets are often made from Nylon or Olefin, and of the two, Nylon would be the better a more durable choice. Nylon Berbers costs more but lasts much longer, and cleans much easier than Berbers made from Olefin.
Berber Carpet Complaints
Why do Olefin Berber carpets attract dirt and are so hard to keep clean?
While Berber styles are elegant and beautiful when new, there is a common complaint from homeowners with Berber carpets made with the Olefin fiber. Consumers often report that within a week or two after a professional cleaning, previous spots and stains tend to reappear as if they were never cleaned at all. This is because the Olefin fiber is inherently oily and often makes Olefin hard to clean and prone to attracting dirt like a magnet. Old stains tend to reappear again and again regardless of how many times you have the spots cleaned.
Why do Olefin fibers attract dirt?
Here’s why… During the manufacturing process the Olefin fiber is naturally oily. Fiber makers use a special process to clean the Olefin fibers to try to remove these oils, but often cut corners in order to reduce costs. Some manufacturers put their Olefin fibers through a “three-phase” cleaning process to try to remove most of the oils.
To make a better product, the fiber maker will use a “five-phase” cleaning process which removes much more of these oils from the fiber. This makes a significantly less-oily fiber that cleans much easier and doesn’t attract dirt nearly as much.
Using the five-phase process to removing excess oils from Olefin is a more time consuming and costly procedure, manufacturers must charge more for these premium fibers and therefore you will pay more for a carpet made from these premium olefin fibers. Unfortunately consumers have no way of knowing which Olefin fibers have been cleaned with the “five-phase” process and those that have only had the three-phase cleaning.
Rule of thumb: I think it would be reasonable to assume that most Berbers priced under $13.50 per yard ($1.50 sf) would be made using the “three-phase” process. You might have to spend $18 per yard or more to get the better grade of olefin fiber.
Most carpet salespeople have no knowledge about this manufacturing process and asking them questions about it might be futile. However, perhaps you could ask them to call the carpet manufacturer and see if they can tell you which cleaning process was used in the Berber carpet you are considering. Good luck with that.
Fact: It’s the fiber type and the size of the loops that matters most.
Inexpensive Berbers snag easily. Often priced at less than $10 per yard, don’t fall for those cheap Berber prices and assume that this low-quality carpet will last more than a few years for you. If you have active kids or pets you need to buy something more durable.
Large Loops vs Small Loops
Berber styles that have Large loops tend to collapse and fall over more quickly. That makes the carpet appear worn out and ugly, often within a year or two in main traffic areas.
Smaller looped Berbers tend to resist matting and crushing better and retain its like-new appearance longer. Berbers made of Nylon are more durable and resist matting and crushing of the pile longer than any other synthetic fiber.
If a Berber carpet is priced under $15 per yard, then it is likely made of Olefin and designed to last a few years at best. You’ll be plagued with lots of snags, pulls, runs and stains that are hard to remove. This is why Berber is a bad choice for folks with active kids or pets.
A good quality Nylon Berber would clean easier, wear better, and retain its new appearance much longer than would an Olefin Berber. If made with smaller loops, that would make it even more durable.
If you decide buy a Berber carpet and want it to last, be sure to select one with smaller loops, as the bigger loops tend fall over quickly and look worn out sooner. As far as pad goes, an 8-pound minimum density, and a 1/4″ to 3/8″ thickness is required for virtually all Berber styles.
Another option you might want to consider would be selecting a Berber without loops, this is called a “cut-Berber” or a “California Berber” style.
Some Berbers are made from wool, which is an excellent natural fiber, but are very costly..
When is the Best Time Get the Lowest Price on New Carpet, Padding and Installation? When is the Worst Month to Buy Carpet in 2024?
Best and Worst Month To Buy Carpet?
Does it really matter WHEN you buy new carpet? Absolutely! To maximize your savings, it’s essential that you plan your strategy and learn how to make wise and informed choices. Understanding when & where to shop for carpet is the first step you need to take in negotiating a nice discount on new carpet for your home.
Homeowners can save as much as 15% or more by knowing when to buy, who to buy from and how to negotiate a great deal. How much potential savings are we talking about? Here’s a simple breakdown of the numbers:
Let’s imagine you are planning to replace the carpet in your living room, staircase, hallway, landing and two bedrooms. You will need to purchase about 80 square yards (720 square feet) of carpet (12′ x 60′).
Hoping it will last 10 to 12 years you choose a medium-quality Carpet, 8-pound Rebond Padding and obtain qualified installation (including all the extra fees).
The total cost will be about $4000 (not incl. tax). If you buy at the right time of year and are able to negotiate just 10% off the total price for materials and labor, you stand to save about $400.00. Is that enough savings to motivate you? If so, then read this article and decide if you are up to the challenge.
The 3 Worst Times to Buy New Carpet?
The question is, when do most people shop for carpet? You don’t want to buy carpet when everyone else is out there shopping for new carpet too.
It’s almost impossible to negotiate a great deal on carpet when there are 10 other customers waiting in line waving their checkbooks in the air and in a hurry to get their carpet replaced.
You want to buy new carpet when the carpet store is NOT busy. You want to shop for new carpet during their SLOW times. You want to buy carpet when their installers are not getting enough work to pay their bills. This is when the carpet store owner will be willing to negotiate a discounted price with you. There are certain times throughout the year when you stand the best chance of negotiating a great carpet deal.
Don’t shop for carpet between March 1st and May 31st. This is when many people are expecting a tax refund or get a tax advance loan.
Avoid the 4th of July through August 20th. Many homeowners plan home improvement projects during this time. Flooring dealers are busy. Not a good time to negotiate a deal.
Steer clear of buying carpet from October 15th thru mid December. This is the yearly rush to have new carpet installed in time for the holidays. Stores are busy.
The 3 Best Times to Buy New Carpet?
Now you know when NOT to buy carpet if you want to negotiate your best deal. Let’s look at the three best “money-saving” opportunities so you know WHEN you stand the best chance to negotiate your BEST deal on new carpet and flooring for your home.
1. December 15 thru January 10th.
Once December 15th rolls around, the Christmas trees are going up and holiday shopping is on high. This means that buying after December 15th is a great time to buy new carpet. Fewer people are planning to buy new carpet during this time because of the Christmas holiday. Once the tree goes up, carpet sales go down. Negotiate your best deal after December 15th and have your new carpet installed prior to January 31st.
Try to negotiate your best deal before January 10th. That’s when most dealers will be feeling the pinch most and their installers will be begging for more work too. By Feb 1st it’s all done and over, as the tax refunds loans are starting to arrive. People who file their tax returns early know how much their refund will be and that’s when carpet shopping goes into full swing.
2. May 1st to June 30th
By now, the tax refund has been spent, Memorial Day weekend is coming up, the kids are getting out of school soon, vacation planning is well underway and there is plenty of springtime gardening to do. Buying new carpet is not at the top of the priority list for most people during this time. That means it’s a good time for you to shop for new carpet! I suggest shopping from May 20th through June 10th for your best negotiating power.
3. Throughout September
The next best time to buy carpet comes right after the kids go back to school and lasts thru the whole month of September.
The last two weeks of August are busy, everyone is getting ready for the new school year, enjoying the last few weeks of hot summer weather, and getting ready for the autumn leaves to fall. This is a great time to shop for carpet.
No one wants to think about getting ready for the holidays until after Halloween. So late August thru September is a great time to negotiate a great deal on new carpet for your home.
I suggest shopping early in September and plan to have your new carpet installed by October 15th because once people start thinking about the holidays people will be lined up to have new carpet before their holiday guests arrive.
Negotiating a discount on new carpet requires advance planning.
Most carpet retailers have busy times and slow times throughout the year. If you try to negotiate a great deal during their busy times, you won’t stand much of a chance of beating them down on the price.
However, if you negotiate wisely during their slower times then you have a very good chance of negotiating a very sweet carpet deal for yourself.
Some dealers have special sales they offer during their slower times. Some dealers have sales going on all the time. Even if they are running a sale, you can still ask for an additional discount. Most advertised sales are offered by carpet manufacturers in the form of a rebate. You should take advantage of these sales if their products fit your needs, but you really want to negotiate a discount off the total price of your entire carpet job.
Forget Big Box Retailers Like Home Depot and Lowe’s
I only recommend buying carpet from reputable, locally-owned carpet stores. They are the most helpful, have the best customer service and many are willing to negotiate if you buy at the right time of year.
I never recommend corporately-owned, big box and national chain stores. Many advertise heavily on TV trying to lure in unsuspecting consumers with unbelievable discounts on carpet, flooring and free installation. They use sales gimmicks that sound too good to be true, but after reading their fine print, it’s easy to understand why I don’t recommend these retailers.
I would avoid buying carpet from Empire too. Everyone has seen their TV ads a thousand times and I bet you can sing their 800 phone number by heart. I’m sure your kids can too. Do they sell polyester carpet at highly inflated prices? Do they say polyester carpet is just as durable as nylon carpet? Read my page about choosing the right carpet fiber before considering this option.
Empire Today only offers a shop-at-home service and will send out an independent commissioned sales contractor to your home to show you samples and measure up your needs. They are not employees of Empire, they are independent salespeople paid on commission. They are free to charge you whatever amount they think you will pay.
Commissioned Salespeople are motivated to close the sale quickly. No one likes being pressured into signing a sales contract without doing some comparison shopping. Take your time choosing the right carpet for your home. If you need more information visit my sitemap to find free carpet comparison tools, guides and articles that will help you.
Use my free Carpet Shopping Form to help keep track of all your shopping details.
It’s getting harder to find honest and reputable carpet stores these days! That’s why I’ve built my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned Carpet & Flooring stores. They give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers.Are there any Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?
Why is it so important to choose the correct carpet padding for your home? Carpet Buying Secrets Revealed. If your new carpet is designed to last for 12 years, then your padding must also be able to last 12 years or longer. Padding helps provide support, durability and abrasion resistance to your carpet. If your padding fails before your carpet does, your carpet will wear out much faster too.
Carpet Buying Secrets Revealed #5 Select the Correct Carpet Pad
Choosing the wrong type of padding can cause your carpet to develop wrinkles. This can permanently damage your carpet, void your warranty and be costly to repair.
Don’t let the salesperson to make the padding choice for you.
Verify that the suggested padding is the correct padding for the carpet you select.
Every carpet manufacturer has padding type, thickness and density requirements you must follow to keep your new carpet warranty in force. You can call the carpet manufacturer to ask what type of pad, thickness and density rating they recommend to maintain your new carpet warranty.
Most carpet pads provide excellent support for your carpet. A few are reasonably priced, while others are not so great and are way over-priced.
Rebond is the most common type of padding used in residential homes today. It provides excellent support and is reasonably priced. In most residential applications, upgrading from a 6-pound density to an 8-pound density is a wise choice. You might even want to upgrade to a 10-pound density if you have super heavy foot traffic.
These higher density pads will support your carpet better, increase durability, longevity and reduce the chance of your carpet developing wrinkles over time.
The Typical Cost For A Padding Upgrade?
To give you a realistic idea about padding upgrade cost, if a 6-pound Rebond pad costs $4.95 per square yard (.55 per square foot), then an 8-pound density Rebond pad should cost about $6.95 per square yard (.77 per sf). This example is to let you know that upgrading to a higher density pad should not cost you a fortune.
It’s real easy to pay too much for pad, especially if you follow bad advice from an inexperienced or unscrupulous salesperson.
There are many types of padding available but choosing the right pad can be challenging. Don’t blindly agree to any padding upgrade until you have a chance to do your padding homework!
You Probably Don’t Need a Specialty Pad
Don’t be swayed by a carpet salesperson who says you need to spend more for a pad that has a moisture barrier. Chances are good that you do not need a moisture barrier pad.
In fact, moisture barrier pads can help cause mold and mildew to form underneath your padding. If your basement has moisture problems, a moisture barrier pad is the wrong pad for you.
You also don’t need the pad that has baking soda infused to help eliminate or reduce pet odors. The cost is high and the benefit is low. Even the box of baking soda you have placed in the back of your refrigerator needs to be replaced once a month.
How long do you think the baking soda infused inside a 1/2″ thick pad will remain effective? Not long enough to make it a worthwhile and cost-effective padding upgrade I bet.
What About Padding That Will Extend Your New Carpet Warranty?
Carpet makers like Shaw and Mohawk offer a special padding that if you buy it, they will increase the length of your New Carpet Warranty by up to 10 years.
I think the increase in carpet warranty length they offer is too limited. I think this is just a slick marketing ploy to get you to spend more on a padding that you do not need. Sure, it’s a good quality pad, but it’s way overpriced. I think the cost is too high and the benefit is too low.
Seasoned Carpet professionals know that New Carpet Warranties are not worth the paper they are written on, and the fact is, a longer wear warranty will rarely end up beneficial to you.
What is a new carpet abrasive wear warranty? It’s not what you think. You should never choose a carpet just because it has a long abrasive wear warranty limit.
It practically takes an act of congress to substantiate a valid new carpet warranty claim and even if you do, they only cover affected areas and pro rate your replacement credit based on the age of your carpet.
Specialty pads will certainly cost you more today but from my perspective they provide little to no measurable benefits to you in the long run. Frankly, I believe they are a waste of your hard earned money.
Don’t fall for misleading TV commercials offering new carpet, pad and installation at ridiculously low prices! Buy One Room of Carpet Get Two Rooms Free? I’m sure you’ve seen the ads about Free Carpet Installation at Lowe’s and Home Depot. If it sounds too good to be true… well, you know.
When it comes to buying new first-quality carpet, you usually get what you pay for. If the price for similar products is significantly lower at Joe’s Carpets, than it is at Mike’s Carpets, there must be a good reason for it.
The lowest price is not always the best deal for you. Most of the time, great sounding carpet deals are not so great once you read the fine print. You might save a few dollars going with the lowest proposal but in the end are you sacrificing something else, like qualified installation or service after the sale?
7 Carpet Buying Secrets Revealed for Free? Advertising experts know that the general public is easily swayed when they hear the word “free”. This is especially true when it comes to Free Carpet Installation offered by Lowe’s and Home Depot. Do you really want free carpet installation? Is it really free?
Take your time when shopping for new carpet! Learn how to make wise and informed choices! Visit my Sitemap to view all my free carpet articles.
Use my free Carpet Shopping Form. Take several copies with you while you shop. This form will help you compare products, choose wisely and narrow-down your final selection.
Print out all my free checklists, forms, charts, guides and coupons.
It’s hard to find an honest and reputable carpet store these days! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and use qualified installers.
