Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My husband and I are trying to decide on a company to use for carpet. We've looked at Lowe's, Home Depot and Empire. Who have you all used? What type of carpet? Are you still happy with your choice? Any responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Brand name carpet is brand name carpet. Read the back and compare the info and there is nothing special about one store vs the other as far as that stuff goes. People will try to tell you there is buuuuuuuuut no. It's going to come down to the installation. I know people who've had bad luck with big box stores and you can't get a read on the experience of whoever they choose to send out for your job. If you can find a local place who employs their own installers with a good rep it's your safest bet.
Although a friend of mine had the best work ever from Home Depot once. Because of the layout of her house the guys were able to do her 3 bedrooms and hallway with NO SEAMS! The next time she carpeted she chose the same width carpet and expected the same result but they cut each room and seemed the whole thing because it's just easier on them I guess. She wasn't happy about that.
I'm partial to short frieze style myself. Not a plush fan...don't like vacuum lines.
My husband and I are trying to decide on a company to use for carpet. We've looked at Lowe's, Home Depot and Empire. Who have you all used? What type of carpet? Are you still happy with your choice? Any responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
It's not the co. from which you buy that determines the quality of the carpet but the manufacturer of the carpet, materials used, etc.
However, the quality of the installation matters, too. But if the co. from which you buy contracts with several installers then the quality of installation can vary from one installation to another even if bought from the same retailer.
There are computer programs that can come up with a template for the installer that minimizes waste with the fewest number of seams. Going seamless may result in more waste and a higher cost for the carpet itself. It just depends on whether you are willing to pay the premium.
The visibility of seams will also depend on the carpet itself. We had Berber installed downstairs when our home was first built. It is terrible for showing seams anyway, and the installer placed a seam in a major traffic area. In a previous home, the installer placed a sheet vinyl seam right in front of the sink, where it was naturally exposed to water from ordinary use of the sink.
So, if seams are important, take that into consideration when you choose the carpet. Ask to see the template the installer will use before the carpet is ordered and recheck it when the installer arrives to do the actual work.
I live in NE Georgia, and there are discounters here who ship all over the world. You do not give your location, but if you are in the Southeast it might be worth a trip to Dalton, GA. You would need your own installer to measure your rooms and generate the template and tell you how much carpet you need. Perhaps friends and relatives could help you find someone reputable.
Edited to add: Choose the best pad you can afford. It makes a world of difference in the feel and durability of the carpet.
We purchased a wool berber with wool carpet pad from a local company. We have carpet in the bedroom only and so far (over 3 years) are happy with our choice. The store recommended a local installer and he did a good job.
In our last house we purchased from a big box store. The carpet (or maybe the pad) smelled for quite a while after installation and they had to keep coming back to re-stretch it.
Beware of Empire. Each morning the installers line up and bid on the jobs. Whoever is willing to do it cheapest gets it, no matter their skills or training.
I agree. The carpet is not the issue. The installers are.
I've hired out quite a few home improvement projects over the years, from plumbing, electrical, roof, paint, carpentry, etc., and every single time, the carpet guys were the scariest. EVERY single time. I mean, to the point that one time I called a neighbor to come over and sit in the house with me while they were there.
I agree with Ceece about asking various stores who they use to install. The ones who use their own installers or have a regular contract with are the ones I would use.
I'm picking my carpet too. The carpet I want is from Home Depot, but when talking with them about installation, I got the feeling they didn't know what they were doing, so I'm going to go with a local company instead. Unfortuantely that means I can't get the same carpet I picked out at Home Depot which was my first choice, but I'm getting a good carpet.
I have a question about the pad. I'm carpeting over ceramic tile. The carpet store says installation includes a 1/2 inch 8 lb pad. Is that sufficient? They say it is, but I just wanted to check with others to be sure.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
