topic Re: Carpet.....Help! in Home

Carpet.....Help!

chihuahuamom — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 05:31:37 GMT

I have two bedrooms that need new carpet. Both are around 10 by 12. I was hoping to keep it to under $1,000, but it looks like I can't find anything under that. I went to Home Depot today and it will run me about $1200 with tax. Other places I have looked are more. If you have recarpeted lately, what tips can you share?

Re: Carpet.....Help!

Carmie — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 06:04:29 GMT

Go to a place that sells flooring only, not a big box store. Often they have rolls of carpeting in their showrooms that are in stock and left over from mill ends. They are remnants and purchased directly from the factory. The carpet is first quality and you can see it on the roll so there are no surprises like when you choose and order from a small sample.

The downside, is that if you have your heart set on a certain color or style, you may not find it, but you may find a very expensive good quality carpet at a great price.

The carpet store will install the padding and carpet for you.

These remnants are great for smaller rooms, like bedrooms.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

webbgarner1 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 06:05:59 GMT

@Carmie totally agree, I have done that as well

Re: Carpet.....Help!

AuntG — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:35:42 GMT

Keep shopping. 240 square feet of carpeting is not a lot. Inexpensive carpeting should be available for $1000.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

ID2 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 09:47:04 GMT

Hardwood with a large area rug, done, cheap.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

novamc1 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:56:47 GMT

In my previous home (from which we downsized recently), we had large bedrooms and other rooms where I always wanted large area rugs over the hardwood floors.

My favorite carpet store did lots of commercial and large-scale carpet installations, and every five or 10 years, when I needed a fresh rug for a room, I would go to their main warehouse and choose a big piece of carpet remnant in a nice neutral color and good quality. I would buy the whole remnant and have them cut and bind it and install it to suit the room size that I wanted.

Carpet retailers have a lot of remnants that they can sell. You have to ask to see them in the "back room" or in their warehouse. Otherwise, they would prefer to sell you non-leftovers at a higher price. It stands to reason that they already charged the original purchaser the full price of all that extra carpet left over from the previous installation.

You can probably get the bargain price of the leftovers if you ask.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

Carmie — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:17:33 GMT

@novamc1 At one time, carpet places saved remnants from past sales, but most likely what they offer now they purchased directly from the mill.

The mill sells off these remnants when they have about 20 feet or less left on the roll. The carpet stores buy them in bulk and if the showroom is large, they are no longer in the back room anymore. They are not leftovers already paid for by someone else.

My cousin’s husband ( Mike) drives a tractor trailer truck and he picks up carpet from the mills “ down south” and brings them up north for many carpet stores.

My brother who owns many apartment buildings and homes he rents out, has Mike. “ make a personal deal” with the mill and pick up neutral colored carpet for his rentals. Mike has good taste and some of this carpet is exceptional. Sometimes the mill just gives the carpet away too.

There are deals to be had, you just have to shop and ask for them.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

panda1234 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:31:34 GMT

Just did dinning room and livingroom yesterday, both 13 x 17. They moved furniture, removed old carpet all for $1,200. This was middle of the road grade carpet. I would NEVER go to a box store to have a service done. They contract it out and add a % on to the price for themselves.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

homedecor1 — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 16:12:47 GMT

agree with others go to a carpet store. The stores like Lowe's & Home Depot contract with outside contractors and rides the price up! Plus, even though they tell you FREE installation, etc. its in the price somewhere!

I am in the process of having my carpeting replaced because of "stains". 3 years ago I carpeted the entire house with StainMaster carpet through a flooring store.

I get it professionaly cleaned every year (this year not yet til other work done). They sent a Monsanto rep out to look at the various stains and since I did have it professionally cleaned and they didn't come out they are honoring the lifetime warranty to replace the DR/LR.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

KateE — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 20:32:39 GMT

I replaced carpet in my living room/dining room and it is expensive, very expensive. I went with an actual floor covering company, their employees are employed by them and were more caring about my newly painted walls. Box stores, use sub-contractors and there always different. If you go with a box store, make sure the guys are licensed and bonded.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

Sooner — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 21:31:16 GMT

Go with a local store that sells only carpeting if you have access to one. One that's been in business a long time, knows their product, knows how to measure and lay, and will install properly and back up their product. Avoid big box stores if at all possible.

Re: Carpet.....Help!

Mominohio — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 23:02:09 GMT

I concur with those that say to go to a carpet store, and choose a good one.

What I would consider first is how long I want the carpet to last (are you moving soon, do you plan to stay for many years, if staying how much use do these rooms get). It's a big job and costs a lot of money, so If I was staying, I'd want to buy higher end carpet. It isnt' something I want to do and pay for very often.

I never vote for cheap carpet or even middle of the road, if I'm planning on staying somewhere. In the long run, replacing it will run more than just doing it well the first time.

Don't skimp on the padding either. Different kinds of carpet require different styles/kinds of pads, and the big box stores don't care about that.

And really think about the kind of carpet. Do sweeper marks bother you? Do you have to have super plush and thick? Are you concerned about or bothered by paths that get matted/worn looking. I think Berber is the best bet for our lifestyle, so consider what is going on in those rooms, and what kinds of things you love or hate happening to carpet as it ages/wears.

My mom just had a lot of carpet done, and is going to do her bedroom/master bath in the near future. That one room alone will be $3000 or more for top of the line carpet. It really is worth looking at all aspects, because again, it is a ton of work, mess and money to do it again in just a few years because you went 'cheap'.