Need
New Carpet Installed Before the Holidays?
©
Alan Fletcher - Carpet Expert, Consumer Advocate & Webmaster at
AbcCarpets.com
If
you’ve got friends and relatives coming for the
holidays
you might be considering replacing your old carpet. Here are some
“insider” tips and tricks to help you choose new carpet wisely, save money
and have it installed before your guests arrive!
Every
year, right after Halloween and before thanksgiving and Christmas there is
always a hot rush by homeowners to buy new carpet and have it installed. Some
homeowners wait too long and discover that they can’t get their new carpet
installed in time for their upcoming holiday event. Here's some smart advice
to help you make sure your new carpet is installed in time for the holidays!
There
are basically two ways to buy new carpet;
1.
Buying “in stock” carpet from
local flooring retailer or carpet warehouse or
2.
Order from a manufacturer's carpet sample and wait for your new carpet
to arrive on a truck
from the mill, often located in Dalton Georgia.
Buying
“In Stock” Carpet
If
you want your new carpet installed fastest, you might want to consider buying
carpet that is “in stock” There are always plenty of rolls of carpet
readily available for immediate installation at a local carpet warehouse. The
main benefit is that you can have it installed rather quickly and the prices
can be quite reasonable.
The
downside is that the carpet selection is limited to stock on-hand; it can be
difficult to determine the grade or quality of the carpet in question; the
amount of carpet available may be limited; the carpet may be “second
grade” goods and there may not be any manufacturer’s warranty coverage.
Ordering
New Carpet from the Mill
Every
carpet retailer has carpet samples that you can take home and consider for a
few days. The benefit of ordering new carpet from the mill is that you are
guaranteed to get “first quality” carpet and you will always get the full
manufacturer’s warranty. You also have the benefit of selecting the exact
grade or quality you require and choose the color and style that you really
want.
The
downside is that you will have to wait for the carpet to be shipped before you
can have it installed. It can take one to three weeks for your carpet to
arrive, perhaps longer if the weather is bad or unforeseen problems arise.
If
you decide to order from a sample, then you need to make sure you have your
home measured accurately and place your order as soon as possible. To help
ensure you get your new carpet installed in time for the holidays:
-
If
you want your new carpet installed before Thanksgiving, you should place
your order no later than October 26th.
-
If
you want you have your new carpet installed by Christmas or before
December 24th, you should place your order before November 23rd.
-
If
you want your new carpet installed before January 30th, you
should place your order no later than November 28th.
Check
with your dealer to make sure they are prepared to schedule your carpet
installation as soon as your new carpet arrives. Do your carpet homework and
you will stand the best chance of choosing wisely, saving money and having
your new carpet installed long before your holiday guests arrive!
How
to Choose the Right Carpet for YOU!
In
order to save the absolute most money possible and get the whole job done
correctly from start to finish, you need to make wise & informed choices.
In order to be completely satisfied with your New Carpet purchase you need to
consider all the following and more:
Smart
shoppers can save hundreds by doing their Homework.
When
buying new carpet, homeowners usually get a fair and square deal as long as
they buy from a reputable carpet dealer and take the time to do their carpet
homework before they buy.
Selecting
the right carpet
The
carpet samples you see at the carpet store will all look and feel great, but
some carpets are so cheaply made they will mat down quickly and show signs of
wear within a year or two. You can’t tell if a carpet is well-made just by
its look or feel. You need to know how to interpret all the carpet
construction specifications to determine if the carpet in question will be a
suitable choice for you.
The
5 main carpet specifications you need to be concerned about are:
-
Fiber
type
- Nylon,
Polyester, P.E.T., Sorona, Smartstrand, Olefin, Polypropylene, Wool.
-
Tuft
twist
- How
tightly the tufts are twisted?
-
Face-weight
- How
much fiber is used in construction?
-
Pile
density
- How
dense is the carpet pile?
-
Pile
height - How thick is the carpet pile?
What
grade of carpet should I select?
Homeowners
need access to complete and accurate product information in order to make wise
and informed carpet choices. This information is normally found on the
manufacturers label affixed to the back of every carpet sample. If the label
is missing or the specifications are not shown, you will need to ask the
salesperson to get the information for you. If they are unable or unwilling to
provide you with the carpet specifications, you should take your business
elsewhere.
Private
Labeling
Some
carpet retailers use private labels to make it difficult for you to comparison
shop. They change the style name or the color names of their carpet samples to
keep you from shopping around for the best price. I think it's wrong for
dealers to use private labels but it is a common practice among larger stores,
national retailers and home improvement stores. Your best option is to shop
around as much as you can and buy only from a dealer you feel comfortable
with. There are still honest and reputable carpet stores out there, but you
need to know more than just where to shop, you need to know which carpet &
pad is right for you.
Good
Advice?
Homeowners
often rely on the advice and suggestions of carpet salespeople. Unfortunately,
many carpet retailers prefer to hire salespeople who are good at selling, but
often lack basic carpet knowledge and "hands on" experience. You
will be better off if you make your own choices based upon your own research,
and by verifying any and all advice or suggestions you might get from
salespeople.
Selecting
the right carpet padding
Selecting
the right padding is very important. Padding has three main specifications to
consider depending on your needs and goals. It’s important that you select
the right type, thickness and density
rating that is appropriate to your carpet selection and application. Some
pads are better for use on stairs; some are better for basement applications;
and it’s important that you meet the carpet manufacturer’s padding
requirements or you might void your new carpet warranty. You should do your
padding homework before you buy and not allow a salesperson to select the
padding for you.
Where
to Shop for Carpet
Depending
on where you live, you may have limited choices as to where you can
conveniently shop for new carpet for your home. In rural areas, there are
usually fewer choices and you may need to drive to a more populated area to
have more choices and better options. In larger cities there are plenty of
carpet retailers to choose from, but not all carpet retailers are reasonably
priced. Some cater to high end clientele.
Proper
Installation
Many
carpet stores have a hard time finding qualified carpet installers. Installed
wrong, your new carpet can lose half its intended life span. It is your
responsibility to make sure your carpet is installed correctly. Print out and
use my free Carpet Installation Inspection Form and do a thorough walk-through
with your carpet installer when he is finished and before he leaves the
jobsite.
Learn
How to Buy New Carpet Wisely!
Start
by taking my free Carpet
Foot Traffic Test to see what grade of carpet you need to buy based on
your own personal needs, goals, lifestyle and budget.
Print
out and use my Free Carpet
Shopping Form
Learn
your Carpet ABC's on my
website at AbcCarpets.com
Looking
for a Reputable Carpet Retailer?
You
need to buy from a reputable Carpet Dealer if you want to have a happy
carpet shopping experience! I've been compiling my own special list of
reputable Carpet Dealers for several years. See
who I recommend near you
Carpet installation, carpet installation cost, Carpet cost, Cost to install carpet
