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Is there a qualified Carpet Installer Near Me? The Best Carpet Installers rarely need to advertise to find work because of their good reputation. Top-notch carpet installers can be difficult to find. Here’s what you need to know…

Carpet Installers

Carpet Installers are also referred to as Carpet Layers and in Europe they are called Carpet Fitters. No matter what you call them they earn every penny they make.

Installing carpet is a hard job and it takes a toll on the body. Most carpet installers end up with bad knees, hips and back as a result of all the physical labor involved.

After 20 years as an installer most know it’s time to find something else to do. Many open up a carpet and flooring store. So if you are looking to hire a qualified installer, find one with at least 10 years of experience but less than 20.

If you want to get a great deal on new carpet then buy carpet and flooring from a retired carpet installer who now owns a local carpet and flooring store near you.

A great way to find a qualified carpet installer?
Word of Mouth.

The best installers are often booked up weeks in advance, making it impossible to get your carpet installed quickly. For this reason, you would be wise to start your search for a qualified carpet installer before you order new carpet.

Do you know someone who has has new carpet installed recently? Talk to your neighbors and co-workers. You might be surprised how many people have some connection with a qualified carpet or flooring installer.

You need to be careful though, just because your neighbors friend knows a carpet installer, doesn’t mean they are qualified or experienced in doing a job like yours.

 

10 Questions to Ask Independent Carpet Installers (Before you hire them!)

What does qualified mean? How are you supposed to know if a carpet installer is qualified to install your new carpet?

Use my free My free checklist  It reveals the 10 most important questions you need to ask any independent carpet installer before you hire them.

You can interview installers over the phone, in person or by email. Their answers to these 10 key questions will help you determine if the installer in question is qualified to install your carpet.

There are also questions about how much they charge for their services too. This helps you find a qualified installer who also has reasonable and competitive prices.

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Local Carpet retailers are often reluctant to give out carpet installer recommendations to the general public. Most keep their best in-house carpet and flooring installers busy all the time.

Call around to see if any local carpet store has suggestions for you, but you still need to be cautious. Does the carpet installer have enough experience doing your type of carpet installation?

Check references and verify required licensing with the state. How to Verify a Contractor’s License

Call or visit a local carpet installation supply company to get a recommendation for a good installer.

These companies provide the products and materials that carpet installers need including tools, seam tape, tackless strips, transition metals and adhesives.

The people working in the warehouse know which installers are active and use quality supplies. Often they have a cork board on the wall where local installers interested in doing side jobs can place their business cards.

Carpet Installers Near Me?

A Google search for Carpet Sundries in your area will show businesses that you can call to ask about a carpet installer recommendation.

You can also visit these businesses early in the morning, before 8 am and speak directly with carpet installers who are picking up supplies for their day. Here in Portland Oregon, I got my supplies from T & A Supply.

Most carpet retailers provide installation as part of a package deal.

Carpet retailers who have their own carpet installation crews automatically included installation as part of the package deal.

Installation is a part of the package deal. You have no say as to who is installing your carpet or know anything about their level of experience. A reputable carpet retailer uses qualified installers.

The benefit to you is that the retailer will stand behind the installation. If you ever have a problem, they will answer your call and make sure all your concerns are addressed promptly.

Carpet Installation Warranties

Many carpet stores offer a installation warranty of more than one year. Some even offer a lifetime carpet installation warranty. The typical carpet installation warranty provided by independent carpet installers is one year.

If you hire an independent carpet installer and have an installation problem you would have to contact the installer directly.

In most cases this is not a problem and the installer will come back and fix any concerns you may have. If you have a installation concern, act fast… before the installation warranty expires.

“If installed wrong, your new carpet could lose more than half of its intended lifespan!”

Finding and hiring a qualified carpet installer can be challenging.

The best carpet installers charge a little more and are often very busy, but is well worth the wait if you need to get top-notch installation!

Some carpet installation jobs are more difficult than others and require that you hire a well experienced installer.

For example, installing expensive carpet in a custom home requires much more expertise than does installing apartment-grade carpet in a rental unit.

Carpet Install Home Depot and Lowe’s

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 sneaky 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.

They add on extra fees and charges for anything and everything that is considered beyond their limited definition of a “basic” installation. Their definition seems to change from time to time.

Their so-called “free” carpet installation that lures many homeowners in, may not be totally free once their sub-contracted measuring people and carpet installers get a good look at what you really need to complete your carpeting replacement project.

It’s highly likely there will be numerous extra fees & charges tacked-on to your final bill.

Not all experience is good experience

Of course everyone wants their carpet installed correctly, and hiring a carpet installer with minimum of 5 years experience is where I would draw the line with a simple installation job.

So, if you choose a more expensive carpet or your carpet job is quite large, more difficult or tricky, then you should look for a carpet installer with more years of experience.

I personally believe that it takes at least 10 years before any carpet installer can truly begin to master their craft, and that’s only if they have the desire to become the best of the best.

Should I Hire an Untrained Carpet installer?

Carpet installers are not required to attend a formal trade school. I was mentored by several master craftsmen who took the time to teach me the tricks of the trade. It took several years of practice to master all the proper installation techniques.

Unfortunately, many carpet installers NEVER become anything more than a poor-quality installer. This is usually because they either lack training, or don’t have the ambition to become a master of their craft.

Qualified Carpet Installer Near Me?

Some installers prefer to install low-quality materials and make just enough money to get by. Many prefer to work “under the table” and may ask to be paid in cash. They may offer you a discount if you do.

These are not the type of installers you want to hire because you cannot depend on them to do a good job or show up on time. That’s why everyone refers to them as fly-by-night installers.

Bear in mind, if you pay in cash and don’t get a written receipt with their name and contractors license information, then you will have no recourse if something goes wrong.

You will not have any recourse when they leave town, disappear and cannot be contacted if and when you have an installation problem.

If you have a problem with your installation it may be hard to get them to come back to fix the problem.

Incompetent carpet installers usually are easy to spot. Here are some of the tell-tale signs of a less-experienced carpet installer.

1. Advertise on Craigslist or the local Thrifty Nickel Newspaper, 
2. They typically have an older pickup truck or van with stuff piled up on the dashboard, 
3. Have a wife or girlfriend that does the driving,
4. They wear tattered and mismatched clothing,
5. Wreak of stale beer and cigarettes. 

How to Verify a Contractor’s License

What type of experience does this Carpet Installer have?

Some carpet installers charge more because they are more experienced in doing custom homes and commercial work. Others may charge less if the bulk of their experience comes from doing apartment work.

You need to determine what level of expertise your job requires and then hire an installer according to their level of expertise.

If you are just carpeting one or two rooms with an inexpensive carpet, you don’t need to hire the best and most expensive carpet installer in town.

Carpeting your whole house with expensive carpet with a challenging layout would demand hiring the absolute best carpet installer you can find.

Learn more about Carpet Installation Cost

4 Levels of Carpet Installer Experience:

1. Property Management Carpet Installer  

Carpet installers with this type of experience is obtained from installing low to medium grades of carpet in unoccupied apartments or rental properties.

• They have limited experience with installing carpet on stairs, and limited experience with difficult or tricky installations.
• Use lower quality installation products (glues, seam tape, tack-less strips, transition metals) in order to save money. 
• They charge less per yard because the job is less demanding and they are able to install more yards in a day.

Apartment and property management workers charge the least amount. Teenagers hired as a carpet layers helper often become installers, but few complete a formal apprentice program. This is not to say that you should not hire them, but you need to be aware that many may lack the experience to perform all types of carpet installations.

 

2. New Home Construction Carpet Installer   

Installers with the bulk of their trade experience from new home construction will have increased knowledge of installing different types of stairs. (carpet can be very difficult to install on some types of stairs)

• They will have more experience working with various styles, types and grades of carpet as well. 
• Have to satisfy the builder and the new homeowners with their performance, which makes them pay closer attention to detail.

Builders usually pay less than the standard rate for this type of installer but there is usually a greater volume of work available to the installer.

 

3. Residential Remodel Carpet Installer
   

   Remodel installers are well seasoned and are paid quite well. You can count on them to do a great job for most residential remodeling applications. Remodel installers command higher fees and are booked weeks in advance.

• Punctual, own a newer vehicle and neatly dressed.
• Look professional and they have good answers to all your carpet questions and concerns.
• Regularly install carpet and flooring in upscale homes and condos and may even do commercial work.
• licensed, bonded and insured.

Be prepared to pay above the going rate for this type of carpet installer in your area, but also expect the job to be done right the first time.

 

4. High-End Custom Homes Carpet Installer

Carpet Installers with more experience charge higher fees.

• Usually booked months in advance with custom home builders and million dollar realtors, and may not be willing to take on smaller projects.
• They can be quite picky about the jobs they accept. Their installation fees can be quite high, but you can expect installation perfection! 
• Licensed, bonded and insured for many years.
  
• Always carry a Worker’s Compensation Policy for their employees.

If you are able to schedule them, you will receive first-class carpet installation and excellent  customer service. You may have to wait several weeks before they are available to install your new carpet.

Think their prices are high? Wait till you see the price of hiring a lousy carpet installer!

Many homeowners ask, is there a Qualified Carpet Installer Near Me? Experienced Carpet installers are getting harder to find but I hope I have given you some smart ways to get started. Learn all the facts about those Free Carpet Installation specials advertised on TV by Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Next up: Carpet Installation Cost

 

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. Any Recommended Carpet Stores Near Me?