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Hello! I have just purchased my first home and I am looking to replace the upstairs carpet. As a first time home buyer, I don't know how to purchase carpet or what to look for in padding/quality! Should I go straight to a big box store like Lowes or Home Depot? Or are there any recommendations for carpet companies that provide the carpet and install? Or do I purchase carpet at a big box store then find an installer? My house is located in NW Raleigh. Thank you!
We priced out a local carpet installer, and the big box stores. We ended up going with Lowes twice, as it was far less expensive.
Don't have high expectations though. Both times they installers showed up hours late. They didn't really speak English. But we've had the carpet for around 1.5 years now without issues.
Big box stores obviously contract out the work, so you could get a good contractor or a terrible one. It's up to you if it's worth that risk to save some money. The good thing is, I think it's easier to deal with the big box stores should there be an issue. They'll fix it for you.
I would contact ProSource - I used them in the past and you can ask them for a rec for a good installer, they know who they are. Also, the more carpet you purchase the price per square foot/yard goes down.
It all depends on how much do you want to spend. Last year, I wanted to replace carpet in the living room and vinyl in the kitchen. After visiting lowes, home depot, surplus store locally and few online, we decided to replace with hardwood floor. The quality of the product I selected, the labor, the warrantee, all of those added up and there was not much different compare to carpet. So, preparation is the key. Research, visiting local stores, talk to sale people; I am sure you will have the wise decision.
I agree with Henry, carpet is going to be comparable to hardwood with installed costs. It's around $3/ft roughly including everything for mid range. You might save $0.25/ft to go with low end.
That being said if this is upstairs in the bedrooms, I would hesitate to install anything but carpet. Personally.
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