Anyone who doubts the impact a carpet can
have on a room has never been into a house built in the 1970s
and seen the rooms carpeted in shades of orange, green or gold.
Many homeowners find themselves more worried about the impact of
a carpet purchase on their wallet than on their home decor. The
cost to carpet even a modest sized bedroom can quickly rise to
$1,000 when including the cost of the carpet, padding and
installation.
While it’s not hard to save money when buying carpet, consumers
often mistakenly try to save money the wrong way, says Alan J.
Fletcher, who has more than 25 years experience in the carpet
business, and the author of “Carpet Buying Secrets Revealed.”
One of the most common ways consumers try to save money is by
buying from carpet dealers who have rolls of carpet on display,
or “in stock” carpet. According to Fletcher, often these rolls
will be factory seconds and may have inconsistent coloring or
other defects. The carpet manufacturer may not provide a
warranty for the carpet, although the retailer may still offer a
warranty, Fletcher says.
“My advice here is to be very careful when buying carpet
‘seconds’ off the retail showroom floor,” Fletcher said. “You
should have them roll it out for you so you can inspect it, and
be sure to get a written guarantee that will cover any defects,
even after it has been installed.”
When discussing the carpet guarantee, make sure it will include
reimbursements for any additional installation and furniture
moving costs, Fletcher suggests. Ordering carpet from a
manufacturer’s carpet sample will insure you receive
“first-quality” goods.
Brette Sember learned the hard way when shopping for carpet to
ask tough questions about the warranty and to get it in writing.
Sember bought stain resistant carpet for her home’s stairs,
hallway and bedroom. One of the reasons Sember became sold on
the carpet was its warranty. It was only when finalizing the
purchase that she learned the warranty didn’t apply to carpet
used on stairs.
More than a year later, Sember is still pleased with her
purchase. The mother of two, she is happy with the
stain-resistant treatment.
“While there will always be stains that will be impossible to
remove, I believe that anti-stain treatment is something worth
having,” Fletcher said.
To save the most money, Fletcher suggests carpet buyers should
comparison shop. “Don’t be afraid to take carpet samples from
one store into another store to compare price and quality”
Fletcher said.
“If you intend on staying in your home for many yeas to come,
then I suggest you invest in the best carpet you can afford,”
recommends Fletcher. “Nylon carpet is often the best buy, even
though it may be a bit more expensive than other choices like
polyester (P.E.T.) or olefin (polypropylene).”
With proper care, a good nylon carpet can last a lifetime,
making it well worth its initial cost of $20 to $30 per yard,
Fletcher said.
“If you have pets or young children, it’s probably best to put a
less expensive carpet in the areas they will frequent,” Fletcher
said.
The padding, which won’t even be seen, can play a big part in
the longevity and durability of your new carpet. Purchasing a
pad of the wrong thickness or density could result in voiding
the manufacturer’s warranty and possibly shorten the lifespan of
your carpet.
