How To Choose New Flooring Like A Pro!
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(Free Information by Consumer Advocate - No Flooring Sales)
Everyone Wants Soft Carpet!
Want
To Choose New Carpet Wisely?
Everyone wants a carpet that's soft, durable, resists stains, cleans easily, low priced and will last forever, but choosing the right carpet is not as easy as it used to be.
Every carpet has its good and not-so-good qualities depending on which fiber it is made with. The trick in choosing the right carpet is to prioritize the main benefits you want and choose the fiber that best matches your needs and goals.
Why do some Carpets last longer than others?
It all depends on the materials and methods they use to manufacture the carpet! Understanding carpet specifications is the secret to choosing new carpet wisely.
A Lesson From Goldilocks?
She tasted 3 different types of porridge, sat in 3 types of chairs and tried out 3 different beds but found only one of each was just right for her... It's smart to shop around to make sure you choose the right Carpet, Padding and Installation. Do you know which type of carpet is just right for you?
Your new carpet must be designed to tolerate the level of foot-traffic you have in your home. Your living room may have heavy traffic and require a very durable carpet. Stairs and hallways usually have heavy traffic too. If your bedroom has low foot-traffic, then you don't have to spend as much for carpet that can meet your needs and goals.
How Much Foot-Traffic Do You Have?
Your answers to these two questions will help determine what grade of carpet you need to buy to meet your needs, goals and lifestyle. Most families with kids and pets have heavy foot-traffic in their home. You need to choose a carpet designed to tolerate your level of foot traffic. To choose the right carpet for your needs, you first need to determine...
1. What is the level of foot traffic you have in your home?
2. How long you want your new carpet to last?
Carpet cost, quality and longevity are all connected. Combine all that with your unique level of foot traffic and you can see how choosing the right carpet can become complicated. To avoid choosing the wrong grade of carpet, start by taking my free Carpet Foot-Traffic Test. It is a simple 6-question test to help you learn how to choose new carpet like a pro!
How Much Does Carpet Cost?
If
you haven't checked carpet prices lately, you'll be shocked when you
see the current prices for good quality carpet and padding.
Ten years ago, a medium quality carpet, with pad and installation, used to run about $35 a square yard. Now that same quality is over $50.
A medium grade Carpet for a typical 2 bedroom home now averages $5700 with pad and installation. You can expect that to last 8 to 12 years depending on your level of foot traffic.
Here are 3 links to help you learn How To Choose New Carpet Like a Pro!
1. How Much Does New Carpet Cost?
2. Nylon Carpet Cost vs. Longevity
3. Carpet Specifications Explained
Choosing the Right Grade of Carpet?
It's not like it was 50 years ago when choices were very limited and most carpets were made to last a lifetime. Today there are thousands of different grades, styles and quality levels to choose from. The trick is knowing which grade will be the best choice for your home.
Some carpets are designed to wear out in less than 5 years, some are designed to take a beating and last for 20 years or more. Use my free Carpet Durability Guide Chart to help narrow down your choices.
Choosing the Right Carpet Fiber
Nylon is the most durable synthetic fiber available today. Beware of Carpet Retailers or Salespeople who recommend you buy carpet made from Polyester or P.E.T. Polyester and say it is "just as durable" as a carpet made from Nylon.
Carpets made from Polyester tend to mat down very quickly in medium to heavy traffic applications, especially in main walkways, hallways and on stairs. Learn more about Carpet Fibers
Low Cost Carpet Remnants
A
carpet remnant is a length of carpet that is less than a full roll. Most carpet
comes in rolls that are 12 feet wide and up to 100 feet in length.
If some of the roll has been previously sold it will leave a partial roll still available for purchase, this is either called a carpet Remnant or a Roll End.
Few homeowners know that they can enjoy new carpet at a fraction of the typical cost for new carpet. The trick is knowing how to choose carpet remnants wisely. What are Carpet Remnants? How To Choose Carpet Remnants Wisely
Padding Types and Prices
A decent 6-pound Rebond Pad used to cost about $3 a yard. Now it's at least $5. Most carpet makers now recommend using 8-pound density padding. The following link shows the various types of carpet padding, current prices and which pad might be the best choice for your home. Carpet Padding Cost, Options and Upgrades Explained
About Carpet Padding
You rarely see it, but carpet padding does a very important job. It is the shock-absorber for your carpet. It helps reduce the damaging effects of abrasion.
Your Carpet Quality Must Match Your Padding Quality!
It's real easy to select the wrong grade, type, thickness or density of padding. You don't want your padding to wear out before your carpet does. It would be wise to invest in a pad that will easily outlive your carpet. Read more about Choosing the Right Pad.
Unnecessary Padding Upgrades?
Don't be easily swayed by any salesperson who says you need to spend more for an upgraded pad or Specialized Carpet Pad. Most of the time, homeowners don't need a padding upgrade.
Carpet Installation Fees and Charges
Carpet Installation - This is one area where you should never skimp! Not long ago, it was common to pay $4 to $5 per square yard for qualified carpet installation. A typical 2 bedroom home that would be about $500 for installation. Today you can expect to pay closer to $800 or more depending on where you live and the type, grade and style of carpet you select. Carpet Installation Cost Fees Charges
Print My Free
Carpet Checklist
Learn
what you need to do...
Before, During and After having new Carpet Installed in your home.
Be Ready for Installation Day!
Helps Ensure Your Safety, Security and Satisfaction.
Print My Free Carpet Buying Checklist
(Click on the image to view or print my free checklist)
Carpet at Home Depot or Lowe's?
Don't Fall For Misleading TV Commercials offering new carpet and installation at ridiculously low prices! If the price sounds too good to be true... Well, you know.
Wouldn't it be great if everyone could quickly spot and avoid common retail Carpet Scams and know how to make wise and informed Carpet Choices? That is my goal. Learn more about Free Carpet Installation
Stainmaster® Brand Update
The
Stainmaster carpet brand, well-known for it's durable and stain resistant Nylon 6,6 fiber, was recently purchased by Lowe's.
However, the exact same fiber known as Antron® Nylon 6,6 is still available at most local carpet stores under a different brand or in an unbranded form. It's the exact same fiber, but it just doesn't have the Stainmaster® brand name attached to it..
Ask Your Local Carpet Store about Carpet they carry made with the Antron® Nylon 6,6 Fiber.
Avoid Pushy Salespeople
Unscrupulous carpet retailers often hire salespeople who will say or do just about anything to convince you to buy from them right now!
Many of these salespeople know very little about carpet or the products they sell. They are hired because they are good at closing the sale. That means they won't take NO for an answer and keep pressuring you until you agree to buy today.
This is another reason why I created my own special list of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores. They have knowledgeable salespeople, do accurate measures and provide qualified installers. Don't let obnoxious or pushy salespeople push you around!
Too Many Homeowners...
1. Choose The Wrong Grade of Carpet...
Carpet that can't meet their needs or goals.
2. Pay Too Much for Materials & Labor...
Because they don't get at least 3 free bids.
3. Have Carpet Installed Improperly...
Because they don't buy from a reputable dealer.
4. Void The New Carpet Warranty...
Because they don't maintain their carpet as required.
You should never rely solely on any one salesperson to make all your carpet and padding choices for you. If your new carpet does not perform as expected, you cannot go back and blame the salesperson for giving you bad or misleading advice.
Inexperienced Carpet Salespeople?
Too many carpet salespeople lack sufficient "hands-on" carpet experience or don't have enough product knowledge to know what grade of carpet is able to meet your needs, goals and lifestyle.
You don't want to rely on their advice or suggestions. You need to do your own research and NOT rely on any one salesperson to make your carpet and padding choices for you! Unfortunately there are also plenty of unscrupulous carpet salespeople who are hoping to overcharge you by using sneaky sales tactics, deceptive advertising gimmicks, bait & switch tricks and literally dozens of other common retail carpet scams!
How To Measure Carpet Yourself!
Many homeowners are overcharged for Carpet, Padding and Labor! If you get three carpet estimates from three different carpet dealers, I guarantee you will get three different estimates for the amount of material your home requires and the total cost to get the job done. This is because every estimator measures differently.
"Some salespeople over-measure intentionally while other salespeople over-measure because they are inexperienced at the art of carpet measuring."
Not quite sure if the salesperson's measurements are accurate? It is always wise to get at least three estimates from local carpet stores. Then you can compare prices and measurements side by side and make wise and informed choices. Learn How to Measure for Carpet Yourself!
Carpet Measuring Scams?
Some Salespeople Lack Measuring Expertise. It usually takes several years of practice for anyone to become proficient at measuring for carpet. Salespeople who are new to the carpet business may not be very accurate at measuring and that could cost you plenty.
Carpet Measuring Experience?
An experienced estimator can save you money by strategically making the best use of material waste. They can figure out smart ways to utilize leftover carpet from one room and use it to fill in an area in another room. This saves you money on carpet, padding and installation!
Who has the most accurate measurements? There are several steps you can take to make sure you don't become a victim of a carpet measuring scam or rip-off. Getting three free quotes from local carpet stores is the best way to compare products, services, measurements and prices side by side. Carpet Measuring Scams Revealed
Shocked By High Carpet Prices? Don't Settle!
Are you surprised by the high cost of carpeting your home? Don't compromise on quality! Consider revising your budget instead. All the materials and labor can quickly add up and give you sticker shock when all costs are totaled. Think about doing the project in two or more stages, so that you can still get the quality you need without breaking the bank. In the end, this will lead to a much happier result for you!
Print My Free
Carpet Durability Guide
This
will help you determine the durability of any carpet you are
considering, based on the manufacturers specs.
(Click on the image to view or print)
Everyone wants to enjoy a carpet that is soft and plush! Just because a carpet feels soft does not mean it's durable or able to tolerate YOUR level of foot traffic.
If you want carpet that will last a long long time, you need to select a carpet made from the most durable materials! You need to understand what makes one carpet more durable than another. Learning about Carpet Specifications is the key to your success!
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