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How To Choose New Carpet Like A Pro!

Free Carpet Buying Guide - How to Choose Wisely & Avoid Scams!

 (Free Information by Consumer Advocate - No Carpet Sales or Installation)

 

Secrets to Buying New Carpet like a Pro!

 

Are you in the market for new carpeting, want to choose wisely, but don't know where to start? 

 

The Carpet Professor doesn't sell or install carpet anymore, but since retiring in , Alan shares his expert advice, reveals insider tricks & tips to help homeowners choose wisely, save money and enjoy a safe & successful carpet buying experience. 

 

There are many ways to be scammed when buying new carpet! I'm sure you've watched a few TV commercials offering incredible carpet or flooring deals that seem too good to be true, such as "Free Carpet Installation" or "Buy One Room of Flooring Get Three Rooms Free". These are examples of two the more obvious sales gimmicks that Lowe's, Home Depot and Empire Today frequently use to lure-in unsuspecting homeowners. There are always plenty of consumers that fall for advertising like this, but I hope you are not one of them! Let me show you a smarter way to shop for new carpet, save time and money, avoid common sales scams and locate the best carpet for your needs, goals & lifestyle!

 

There are many ways to be scammed that are not quite as obvious, and it's hard to tell if a flooring retailer is honest, reputable and has experienced installation crews. You deserve more than just a fair & square price for quality materials & qualified labor, you also need accurate measuring, a good selection of quality products, great customer service before and after the sale and expert installation! I can help you accomplish all that. Before you head out and start your carpet shopping adventure, I want to mention a few important things that you might want to keep in mind.

 

 

 

 

 

How Much Does New Carpet Cost?

 

That's the first question most homeowners ask. Prices on everything have certainly gone up quite a bit in the past few years, but before we discuss carpet cost, it's important for homeowners to focus on choosing the right grade or quality level of carpet. Your goal is to select a grade of carpet designed meet your needs, this means selecting a carpet based on manufacturing specifications, including Fiber Type, Face Weight, The Number of Tuft Twists, Pile Height, and Pile Density Rating.

 

When choosing new carpet, you only want to spend the least amount possible to accomplish your goals. What goals? Durability, Stain Resistance and Suitability! these are the 3 main factors you need to consider carefully before you can figure the total cost of your project. You need to decide in advance what your main needs are, so you can know which specifications to look for. We're talking about Fiber types, Anti-Stain Treatments, Pile height and more... 

 

1) What type of Fiber should you select? Some fibers are more prone to Matting & Crushing of the pile. Carpet doesn't ever wear out from loss of fiber Content, it just starts to look bad when the pile mats down. So knowing all this, you must choose a fiber that is able to keep your new carpet looking like-new longest. Knowing your foot-traffic score will help you select a carpet with an appropriate level of durability. This means selecting the right fiber.

 

2) Do you need a carpet that is easy to clean, vacuum and maintain? Some Fibers are more Stain Resistant because of the Anti-Stain Treatment  topically-applied at the factory. These are various chemical treatments developed by carpet manufacturers such as R2X® by Shaw industries, Dura-Tech® used on Stainmaster products; and Scotchgard® a commonly used spray applied on many carpets and fabrics. Mohawk Industries uses the Sorona fiber they call Smartstrand® which is naturally stain resistant. In addition, some Fiber types are inherently more Stain Resistant than others. 

 

3) Which style of carpet is best-suited for the room? Have you considered Textured, Berber, Plush or Frieze? It must be able to tolerate the daily activities and occasional events that take place in the room. Such as, entertaining a large number of people, Is the room used for daycare, wet or damp conditions (near a pool or spa), Does bright sunlight shine on the carpet for several hours each day? Do you have children, teens and pets eating, drinking, running, jumping and horsing around. These issues and others help determine what style and grade of carpet should be selected for each room.

 

4) Do you have a quality vacuum designed to handle the style of carpet you have in mind? Some carpets require a beater bar and other styles require suction-only. Looped Berbers, Shags, Wool, many carpet styles have special care and maintenance requirements to keep your new carpet warranty in force.

 

Do you have pets with frequent urine accidents? 

There are carpet styles available that are specifically designed for rooms that have pet urine issues. They resists stains and spot clean easier than other carpet styles and types. If you choose a style or grade of carpet that is unable to handle all your needs and goals, you will not be happy with the final outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you need carpet for an active play room or family room, a child's bedroom, a master bedroom or a formal dining area? Some homeowners prefer to install the exact same carpet style, color and quality level in every room in the house. 

 

You can save money and your new carpet could last longer if you choose an appropriate style and quality for each of the various rooms in your home. For example, A soft and thick SHAG style (shown left) are great for certain areas of your home but might not be the best choice for a formal dining room. Shags are costly, difficult to spot clean and challenging to vacuum because of the taller pile height (over an inch). Take a look at all the other popular carpet styles available today. My favorite carpet style is Frieze. It can handle heavy foot traffic better than many other styles.

 

 

How long do you want your new carpet to last?  

Take my free Carpet Foot-Traffic Test to learn your traffic score and reveal the grade of carpet you need to buy for each room. Your candid answers to just a few simple questions will help determine the grade (quality level) of carpet you need to purchase to meet your needs and goals for every room in your house. Once you figure out what grade of carpet you need to buy, you will uncover the answer to the question, "How much does new carpet cost".

 

Best Places to Shop for New Carpet?

 

If you want a long lasting and durable carpet, I suggest you shop at a well-established locally-owned carpet store. NOT a home improvement warehouse or a nationally advertised shop-at-home service. Local shops have dozens of first-quality carpet samples on display. You always get a manufacturers new carpet warranty when you buy first-quality carpet.

 

Most local stores will let you take samples home for a few days, so take your time! Start your search by looking at medium-grade styles to see what you get for your money at that level.  Gradually expand your search to higher grades of carpet until you find exactly what you're looking for or you feel you've reached the top end of your budget. Keep a sharp eye on the manufacturers specifications to help compare carpet samples side by side. Use my free Carpet Shopping Form to help keep track of your selection progress. 

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If you are on a super tight budget and are not too particular about style or color, consider visiting a carpet outlet warehouse. You can save money if you can handle jumping through all their hoops and challenges. This option is one step above self-serve. Do you know how much carpet you need to purchase? You will need to know the answer to that question. Do you know How to Measure for Carpet? Learn how to measure your home for Carpet!

 

 

Discount Carpet Outlets cater to the DIYer's, Property Managers, Landlords, Real Estate Investors, Apartment / Multi-Family Managers etc. What you'll find on their warehouse floor is what they have available TODAY! 

There are "No Returns" and everything is "Limited to Stock on Hand". There is no manufacturers warranty offered on discounted goods. They are a discount store and the customer service they provide is usually the bare minimum, so don't expect them to roll out the red carpet for you. The Best & Worst Places to Shop for New Carpet

 

Outlet and discount flooring stores sell lower-quality materials at very reasonable prices, but don't expect to score a top quality long-lasting durable carpet for half of its original price. They know the value of their products and price them accordingly. You might have to hire an independent installer if you choose to buy carpet from a discount store. Bring a pickup truck, strong rope and a tarp if it might rain because most discount stores don't deliver, it's cash and carry!

 

 

Carpet Comparison

Buying new carpet is a major purchase and it is important that you take your sweet time making your final selections. Don't allow any salesperson to pressure you into buying before you've had a chance to comparison shop and consider all your options with carpet and padding. 

 

Getting several free in-home estimates (from reputable retailers) is the easiest and best way to compare products and services, verify measurements and overall cost. Your goal should be to find the perfect carpet, order the necessary amount, have it installed correctly, and buy from an honest and reputable dealer. 

 

Even if the carpet and padding you find at every store you visit is identical, the store with the lowest price may not be the best deal for you. You should be able to tell if one store stands out among the rest. Do the salespeople seem more helpful and more knowledgeable, more organized than other stores you've visited? Personally, I would gladly pay a little bit more to get superior customer service and qualified installation then to take chances just save a few bucks. Recommended Carpet Stores

 

How To Compare Carpet Samples (side by side)

Start by printing or downloading my free Carpet Shopping Guides and Forms. They are designed to help you choose wisely, save time & money and narrow down your final choices. When you are ready to venture out and visit a few local carpet showrooms, consider checking my list of recommended Carpet Stores I've located near you. What makes one carpet more durable than another? Learn How To Compare Carpet Samples side by side.

Homeowners often make simple but costly mistakes, like...

• Choosing The Wrong Grade of Carpet... Carpet that does not meet their needs or goals.

• Overpaying for Materials & Labor... Because they don't compare at least 3 bids or estimates.

• Have Carpet Installed improperly... Because they don't buy from a reputable carpet dealer.

• Void The New Carpet Warranty... Because they fail to maintain their new carpet as required.

 

There are plenty of ways to make costly mistakes when it comes to choosing new carpet and flooring, and you shouldn't rely on any one salesperson to make all your carpet and padding choices for you. If you do, and your new carpet does not perform as well as expected, you can't go back and blame the salesperson for giving you bad or wrong advice. Once you agree to buy it, you are stuck with it whether you are happy with its performance, or not. 

Some folks make the mistake of choosing new carpet based solely on price, color, style or feel. I recommend you do your carpet and padding research before you begin shopping for new carpet at local stores. Here are the five main Carpet Specifications you should learn about, understand what makes them important and consider your final carpet choices very carefully. 

 

Carpet Fiber Options

Choosing the right grade of carpet is not as easy as it once was. Today there are dozens of different styles, grades and quality levels to choose from. Carpet durability is determined by the raw materials they use in the manufacturing process. Why do some Carpets last longer than others? 

 

Understanding Carpet Specifications is secret #1 to choosing new carpet like a pro! The type of fiber you choose is the most critical factor when choosing new carpet. Choosing the right fiber is the First Decision you need to make. Which Carpet Fiber will be the perfect choice for your home? Here is some key information about carpet fibers...

 

Fiber Basics

Nylon is the most durable synthetic fiber available today. The two most popular nylon fibers are Anso 6.0 and Antron 6.6. Nylon is very resilient which is why it resists matting and crushing of the pile better than all other fibers. Nylon resists stains and cleans easily too but it is not as soft to the touch as Polyester. Nylon is also the most costly of all synthetic fibers. Nylon can be color dyed. $$$  How Much Does Nylon Carpet Cost?

Soft Nylon - Spend a little more and you can get a softer feel. The popular "soft" nylon styles are created by extruding the fiber strand thinner to make it feel softer. A thinner strand is not as strong which makes this option less durable than a standard nylon fiber. Some folks are willing to pay more to get a nylon with softer feel and be more durable.  $$$$

Sorona / PTT (aka Triexta or Smartstrand by Mohawk) is best known for its softness and stain resistance. Originally invented in the 's, it was finally made available in the marketplace in year when the cost became comparable with nylon. Not as durable as nylon. $$$

 

Polyester and PET Polyester is a less costly option but tends to mat down quickly in medium to heavy traffic applications, especially along main walkways, busy thoroughfares like hallways and stairs. Polyester is very soft and stain resistant, but not as durable as Sorona. $$  What is P.E.T. Polyester?

 

Olefin (aka Polypropylene) is a very strong fiber and is commonly used for inexpensive looped Berber styles, outdoor grass and level-loop or cut-pile commercial grade carpets. It's also great for damp pool areas, basements and patios because it is moisture resistant. $$

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Wool Carpet is the most costly of all fiber options, easily topping $100 per square yard. Wool is naturally soft, resists burning and a durable fiber. It is more costly to install and maintain too, but is well known for it's elegance and ability to last a lifetime if cared for properly. Not a good choice for homes with young children or active pets as it is way more costly to have wool carpets cleaned or repaired. According to the manufacturers new carpet warranty brochure, you are required to use a carpet cleaning company that specializes in cleaning wool carpets. $$$$

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How Much Does Carpet Cost?

If you haven't checked carpet prices lately, you'll be shocked when you see the current new carpet prices for good quality carpet and padding. Ten years ago, a medium-quality carpet, with pad and installation, used to run about $35.00 per square yard, today that same quality is over $50.00 ($5.55 per sf). 

 

Carpeting your entire home? A medium-quality 100% Nylon Carpet for a typical 2-bedroom home (100 sy or 900 sf) now averages $ including basic pad and installation. You can expect it to last 7 to 12 years depending on your level of foot traffic. Learn more about Nylon Carpet Cost vs. Lifespan

Carpet Measuring: SF vs. SY Explained 

There are two ways to figure your carpet material needs, by the Square Foot or by the Square Yard. Either way is acceptable and the end result is the same. For example: A room measuring 10' long by 12' wide equals 120 square feet (SF). This is calculated by multiplying the width and length. (10 feet x 12 feet = 120 square feet)

• You can change from square feet to square yards by dividing the total square feet by 9. The square yardage for a room measuring 10' by 12' would be 13.33 square yards (10 x 12 = 120 sf ... 120 divided by 9 = 13.33 sy).

• A simple 2-bedroom home requires about 900 square feet of carpet. This covers the living room, the dining room, hallway and two bedrooms. 900 square feet is equal to 100 square yards. (900 divided by 9 = 100)

Using the diagram below you can see the size of one square foot verses one square yard.

• One square foot is 12 inches wide by 12 inches long.

• One square yard is 36 inches wide by 36 inches long.

• There are 9 square feet in one square yard.

 

What is your Foot-Traffic Score?

To help avoid choosing the wrong grade of carpet, start by taking my free Carpet Foot-Traffic Test. It's a simple 6-question test to help determine your foot-traffic score and help you select the right grade or quality carpet to meet your needs, goals and lifestyle.

Families with active kids and pets tend to have heavy foot-traffic in their home. That means choosing a grade of carpet that is more durable. To choose a carpet designed to tolerate your level of foot traffic, you first need to determine your level of foot traffic. Combine that with the number of years you expect your new carpet to last and you have a starting point for making wise choices.

1. What is the level of foot-traffic in your home? Low, Medium, Moderate, Heavy?

2. How long you want your new carpet to last? 5, 10, 15, 20 years or more?

Carpet cost, quality, durability and longevity are all inter-connected. Combine all that with your own unique level of foot-traffic and you can see how choosing the right grade of carpet can become a bit complicated. 

 

Choosing the Right Grade of Carpet?

It's not like it was 50-60 years ago when choices were very limited and most carpets were made to last at least 20 years. Today there are hundreds of different grades, styles and quality levels to choose from. The trick is knowing which grade will be the best choice for your home. Some carpets are designed to wear out in less than 5 years, some are designed to take a beating and last for 20 years or more. Use my free Carpet Durability Guide Chart to help narrow down your final choices.

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What are Carpet Remnants?

Has anyone ever mentioned that you can purchase brand new carpet for a fraction of the original dealer price? Most carpet comes in rolls that are 12 feet wide and up to 100 feet in length. A carpet remnant is an amount of carpet that is less than a full roll. When part of the roll has been sold it leaves a balance still available for purchase, this is referred to as a Carpet Remnant, Roll Balance or a Roll End. 

 

 

 

It's common for local carpet and flooring stores to discount smaller carpet sizes to make room for new products. The discount offered varies based on many factors including the size of the carpet, the color/ style, and popularity. If the remnant is a popular style and color, the discount will be less because they know it will sell quickly. 

 

Size Matters - Measuring Your Rooms

 

The smaller the remnant size the lower the cost will be. Remnants that are less than 12 feet in width or length are discounted more because most bedrooms are larger than 12' x 12'. If you have a smaller area that needs carpet, the price for a remnant that will fit will be less. They don't cut remnants, you must buy the entire remnant, even if it's larger than you need. 

 

There are no refunds on discounted remnants so make sure you know your exact room measurements. Before you agree to purchase any remnant ask them roll it out to verify the size and inspect for any flaws or defects. Check the back side of the carpet too.

 

 

Limited Carpet Choices...

Selection is always limited to stock on hand so if you don't find exactly what you're looking for today, you might find it next week or at a different flooring store. Visit other nearby carpet shops if you have the time to see what they have to offer. Few homeowners know that they can enjoy brand new carpet for a mere fraction of the original dealer pricing. The trick is knowing How To Choose Carpet Remnants Wisely.

 

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Padding Types, Durability, Lifespan and Cost

You rarely see it because it is underneath the carpet, but carpet padding does a very important job. It is the shock-absorber for your carpet. It helps reduce the damaging effects of abrasion. It's real easy to select the wrong grade, type, thickness or density of pad. Most people trust the salesperson to select the right pad. This can spell disaster if you are ill-advised. 

 

The cost of padding is going up too. Ten years ago, a good quality 6-pound Rebond Pad cost about $3.50 per square yard (.39 per sf). Now it's over $5.00 (.55 per sf). Most carpet makers now recommend using 8-pound density padding and you can expect to pay over $6.00 per square yard (.66 to .88 per sf). This link shows the various types of carpet padding, current prices and which pad might be the best choice for your home. Carpet Padding Cost, Options and Upgrades Explained

Any carpet you select has minimum padding specifications required by the carpet manufacturer, including padding type, thickness and density ratings. Choose the wrong pad and you can instantly void your new carpet warranty. You don't want your padding to wear out before your carpet does. It is wise to invest in a good quality pad that can match the lifespan of your carpet. Learn more about Choosing the Right Pad.

 

 

Unnecessary Padding Upgrades?

With most residential carpet styles, a good quality 6-pound, 7/16" Rebond style pad is sufficient. You can expect 7-10 years of service before it starts to flatten out or deteriorate. Upgrade to an 8-pound density and the lifespan will increase to about 12-15 years. Rebond padding is the most economical way to go. If the carpet you select is designed to last 10 years there is no reason to spend more for a pad designed to last for 20 years. That would be an unnecessary waste of money. 

 

If you choose a carpet designed to last 20 years, you will need to upgrade to a higher density padding. They have 10 and 12-pound density pads available and other high-quality foam pads that are designed to last 20 years or more. The cost is much higher for 10 and 12- pound density pads.

 

Don't be easily swayed by a salesperson who says you need to spend more for an upgraded pad or Specialized Carpet Pad unless the carpet manufacturer requires it. To avoid over-spending, match your carpet quality with your padding quality. There is no need to upgrade your padding unless you are buying a higher-quality carpet.

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Q. Can I save money by hiring an independent installer?

Yes, it is possible for you to save money by hiring an independent flooring installer. Some installers use various media outlets to help promote their services. They may be new to the area, starting a new business or just need to make some extra cash to cover their bills. Are they qualified and experienced enough with your type of job? You should use my simple Carpet Installer Questionnaire. It's designed to make sure you ask every potential independent installer 10 critical questions - then you can evaluate their answers to help narrow down your best choice, if any.

Even if you buy top quality carpet & padding, you won't enjoy the intended lifespan if installed improperly. Installation is one area where you should never skimp unless you understand the potential consequences! It can void your new carpet warranty, cut the carpet lifespan in half, cause waves & wrinkles to form, and force you to pay hundreds to have your carpet repaired and restretched. These are the most common issues caused by a bad installation job.

 

 

Carpet Installation Cost

Thirty years ago, it was common to pay $3 to $5 per square yard for qualified carpet installation. Installation alone for a typical 2-bedroom home (100 square yards) used to be less than $500. Today you can expect to pay closer to $800 or more depending on the layout of your home, where you live and the grade and style of carpet you select. Carpet Installation Cost and Extra Fees in

Finding a qualified, well trained carpet installer is getting more difficult because there is a huge shortage of experienced carpet & flooring installers nationwide. That's why I suggest buying carpet from a reputable locally-owned flooring store who has their own "in-house" installation crew. Ask for a package deal, that's where you pay the dealer for the carpet, the pad and the installation and they take care of handling everything from start to finish. It's easier for you and much safer than trying to locate and hire a qualified independent installer. If you let the dealer arrange everything including the install, the benefit is having just one number to call if you ever have a problem.

 

 

Avoid Pushy Salespeople

Unscrupulous carpet retailers often hire salespeople who will say or do just about anything to convince you to buy from them right now! Many salespeople know very little about carpet or the flooring products they sell. They are hired because they are good at closing the sale. That means they don't take NO for an answer and keep pressuring you until you agree to buy.

 

This is yet another reason why I've compiled my own Special List of locally-owned carpet and flooring stores to recommend to my readers. They have helpful, knowledgeable salespeople, do accurate measuring and provide qualified installers to get the job done right the first time. Don't let obnoxious strong-arm salespeople push you around!

I don't blindly trust anyone's measurements. If you get three measures from different sources you can be sure that all three will be different. A little bit off is one thing, but if there is a huge difference (more than 5 square yards or 45 square feet)  then someone has measured wrong. Not quite sure if your salesperson's measurements are accurate? It's always wise to get at least three bids/estimates from honest local carpet stores. Then you can compare prices and measurements side by side and make wise and informed choices. Want to learn some basic carpet measuring techniques? How to Measure for Carpet Yourself!

 

 

Best Place to Shop for Carpet?

I hear this question often from homeowners who are tempted by amazing TV commercials. If it sounds too good to be true... then it probably is. Read the fine print. There are plenty of retail sales gimmicks to look out for:

• Do you really get four rooms of carpet for the price of one? 

• Is free carpet installation really free? 

To make sure you are getting a fair and square deal, get several free measures (Estimates, Bids, Proposals etc.) from several different local flooring shops and compare products and services side by side. Don't automatically assume the lowest price is the best deal, buy from the dealer that you feel most comfortable with. 

 

Use my Free Carpet Shopping Form (PDF) to help simplify comparing samples and services. If you really want a good deal on new carpet, padding and Installation, may I suggest visiting one of my recommended carpet shops. I've spent over 15 years compiling my list of locally-owned carpet dealers to recommend to my readers. Reputable Locally-Owned Carpet Stores

 

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