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.
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?
Carpet Installation Cost, Charges and Fees for 2024
Local Carpet Retailer Displays Rolls of Carpet
Carpet installation costs, fees & extra charges can vary greatly depending on your location.
Other factors include how difficult your job is and the style and grade of Carpet you select.
In different parts of the United States, the current prices for Carpet Installation vary higher or lower depending on the current supply and demand in your area.
Right now and through 2024 is a good time to buy new carpet because installation costs are still lower due to the reduced amount of consumer spending on basic home improvements.
Home prices are through the roof in 2023 and consumers have been hit hard with interest rates and inflation on every level… and I guarantee carpet installation prices will be going up too.
Making sure your carpet installer is qualified is your responsibility. Don’t assume that every carpet installer is qualified to install your carpet.
In fact, I firmly believe that less than 25% of all carpet installers are properly trained. Asking for references and making sure they are licensed, bonded (if required by your state) and insured (business liability) is your responsibility.
States with the lowest carpet installation costs have typically been Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Southern California.
Other southern states like Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas and Southern Arizona have fairly inexpensive carpet labor and installation costs too.
Prices will range from $2.25 per yard to $4.50 per yard depending on the difficulty of the job and the carpet selected.
The highest carpet installation prices are in the Northeastern states like New York, Virginia, Massachusetts and Ohio and also in the Pacific Northwest like Oregon and Washington and Northern California.
Prices may range from $4.50 per yard for a medium grade plush style carpet to $8.50 per yard for a heavy duty looped Berber style carpet.
Most Retailers Bundle the Cost for Carpet, Padding and Installation.
It’s great to be able to shop at home for carpet. It’s fun, easy and saves time too.
To get your best TOTAL carpet deal, you will have to negotiate with the carpet dealers of your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask the retailer for a discount or other incentives for you to buy from them.
The smart homeowner always gets at least three bids/estimates and then takes plenty of time to negotiate a better deal. Patience is key here, and those who wait for the price to come down are the winners. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples!
I think that asking for a minimum of a 10% to 15% discount is very reasonable as long as you are ready to write a check at the end of the day.
If you are daring, ask for a 20% discount and see what happens. They may say no, but you have nothing to lose by asking. Just be sure you have selected the right carpet and padding that will meet your needs and goals!
Some carpet retailers choose to make additional profits by adding an extra fee or surcharge on top of the standard going rate. Some add as much as 25% to the total installation cost. I feel this is an unfair charge to the consumer and a big slap in the face to the installer.
Carpet installers work very hard and earn every dime they make.
If a retailer is going to pay their installers peanuts and then charge customers a surcharge on top of that, well that is just not right.
Carpet retailers already make a fair and reasonable profit from the markup on carpet and pad.
If you find that a carpet dealer has exorbitant carpet installation charges, I suggest you consider shopping elsewhere!
While they continue to change the advertised prices for their “basic” carpet installation on a frequent basis. I have found that Home Depot and Lowe’s basic carpet installation service does not cover very much ground.
The key wording here is “basic” What is a basic installation? What is their definition of a “basic carpet installation?
Apparently, if your carpet installation job is not considered “Basic” it may be determined to be more difficult or more involved. Then you may find that the final bill for your carpet install is much higher than you had expected.
Don’t assume that their advertised low price for installation is valid for you in your situation.
Carpet Installation Cost Extra Fees
After your new carpet has been installed, you may be faced with a sizable and unexpected final bill for extra fees and services that were beyond their limited definition of a “Basic Install”.
About Carpet Sales Gimmicks:
I’ve been in the carpet business for 3 decades and I’ve seen every trick in the book. Trust me on this: Don’t fall for any “wow factor” sales gimmicks.
Don’t trust any television ad that says if you buy one room of flooring then they will give you two rooms of flooring for free.
Don’t be so gullible. The fine print will beat you every time and you will not get the great deal you hoped for.
You need to be absolutely sure your new carpet has been installed properly.
You cannot afford to take chances by having your expensive new carpet installed cheaply by a third party.
Removing your old Carpet and Padding and hauling it away
Tearing out and disposing of the old carpet and padding can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $2.50 per yard or more.
An experienced Carpet Installation crew of three can remove 100 yards of carpet and pad in less than an hour on a normal job.
I personally think $2.00 per yard is a fair price to remove the old carpet and padding.
Most carpet dealers have an onsite dumpster to reduce the cost and hassle of taking one load at a time to the local landfill.
Carpet Installation Costs for Mobile Homes
If you need new carpet for a mobile home, there is going to be some added costs to remove the old carpet and pad if it is the original carpet.
When mobile homes are made, they put down the carpet and then install the walls right down on top of the carpet and padding.
This makes it very hard to remove the old carpet because it has to be cut at the base of all the walls and then new tack-less strips must be installed.
Most carpet installers do not like installing new carpet in mobile homes because the outer walls are not sturdy enough to leverage the foot of a power stretcher.
This means using other more time consuming methods to get the carpet stretched in properly.
Floor repairs are also more difficult to perform because mobile homes are built over a metal frame, not the standard 16″ on-center wooden floor joists that most homes utilize.
Expect to pay more if you need any floor repairs done. Most installers charge at least $35 per hour per person for floor prep work.
Installing New Tack-less Strips
All new construction jobs will require that new tack strips be installed. It’s easier to install tack-less strips on a wood floor than on a concrete slab.
The fee for new tack strips on wood might be an additional .50 to 1.00 per yard.
The fee for installing tack strips over concrete might be an additional $1.00 to $2.00 per yard or more.
In existing homes with damaged tack strips that need to be replaced, the fee should be about $2.00 to $3.00. That’s per each four-foot section that must be replaced. (tack-less strips come in 4′ foot lengths)
What are Carpet Tack-less Strips?
Tack-less strips (often called tack-strip) are wooden strips with sharp pins that are installed all around the perimeter of each room near to the walls.
Tack strips are about 1″ wide and 4 feet long. Tackless strips are what hold your carpet to the floor and allow it to be stretched-in tightly to prevent wrinkles.
The sharp pins hold the carpet tight because they are angled towards the wall. They are nailed down to the floor.
Carpet Installation Cost Extra Fees – Tack-less Replacement
The carpet padding is butted up against the inner side of the strips. The carpet goes over the pad and stretched over the top of the tack-less strips.
Then the raw edge of the carpet is tucked into the wall and floor crevice or underneath the wall molding for a nice finished look.
Carpet Transitions and Thresholds
The raw edge of the carpet will eventually end or butt up to another carpet or other types of flooring at the entry doorways and at kitchens. Baths and utility rooms and must have a transition installed of some type.
Examples are: Carpet to carpet, Carpet to vinyl, carpet to hardwoods, carpet to vinyl tiles, and carpet to ceramic tile. These are some of the most common locations where a transition or threshold of some type will be necessary.
Carpet Installation Cost and Extra Fees.
Transition Strip – Berber Carpet to Ceramic Tile
Transitions can be made of wood, metal, rubber or plastic. Each transition is available in different quality levels depending on the application.
The correct transition must be used to ensure durability without fail.
The total cost of transitions varies widely and should be discussed with your carpet estimator/retailer/installer before the final bid/estimate is finalized.
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.
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?
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?
As a Consumer Advocate and 30-year veteran of the carpet business, I know how difficult it is to choose new carpet wisely and get a fair & square deal. That’s why I personally hand-pick each one of my Recommended Carpet Stores in Vermont using my own special set of strict business standards and requirements.
My Recommended Carpet Stores in Vermont
(Select Your Nearest City Below)
Burlington
New England Floor Covering 257 Pine Street Burlington, VT 05401 (802) 658-9336Map
Essex
Main Street Floorcovering 95 Pearl Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 348-2250Map
What Makes Your Preferred Dealers Special?
Inclusion in my directory is strictly by invitation only. No carpet or flooring retailer can buy their way onto my preferred dealer list at any price. I make no money from your carpet or flooring purchase no matter who you choose to buy from, I do however receive revenue from ads placed on various places on my website.
Don’t Want to Drive All Around Town?
Many of my preferred carpet dealers provide a free shop-at-home service. You just need to call and set up a convenient time to have them bring samples to your home for you to consider. There is no obligation to buy.
Not Just Carpet… Carpet and Flooring!
My Recommended Carpet Stores in Vermont? I use the term “Carpet Stores” but all my preferred carpet dealers also carry a full line of popular flooring products including hardwoods, luxury vinyl tile, sheet vinyl, ceramic tile, waterproof flooring and more.
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..
Do you have a Question about a Certain Brand of Carpet?
I created a directory of Carpet Manufacturer Websites, including Phone Numbers. This list will help you get the answers you need, straight from the horses mouth!
Want to learn about care and maintenance for your new carpet? Want to know how to obtain your carpet warranty information? What is the correct padding type for your new carpet?
Visit these Carpet Manufacturer Websites Directly for Answers!
Here is my free list of common carpet and floor covering manufacturers and their toll-free contact information for homeowners. This list is updated frequently but I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained here. These websites and phone numbers change often.
In recent years, many smaller carpet manufacturers have gone out of business, have been sold or bought up by larger conglomerates like Mohawk, Beaulieu and Shaw.
There are way fewer small locally-owned carpet mills today than ever before. This is not good news for homeowners. When your carpet options and competition is reduced, it makes new carpet more costly.
This is why it is so important you get unfettered access to complete and accurate carpet specifications, to be able select the right grade of carpet or flooring to meet your needs, goals, lifestyle and budget.
It’s hard to find an honest and reputable carpet store these days! Retail Carpet Scams are common! That’s why I created my own special hand-picked list of carpet stores. They are locally owned, give free estimates, offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and hire qualified installers. Savvy homeowners want to know… Are there any reputable Carpet Stores Near Me?
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.
Click on the image to view or print. Print several copies so you have one for each carpet installer you interview.
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.
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?
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.
Advertise on Craigslist or the local Thrifty Nickel Newspaper,
They typically have an older pickup truck or van with stuff piled up on the dashboard,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
