Finding a good carpet
installer can be very difficult. If you use a bad installer you will surely
regret it. Especially when you consider that some carpet installation jobs are
more difficult than others and require a more experienced installer.
For example, installing
expensive carpet in a custom home requires much more expertise than does
installing apartment-grade carpet in a rental unit. Of course everyone wants his
or her carpet to be installed correctly, and hiring an installer with minimum of
5 years experience is where I would draw the line with a simple installation
job.
So, if you buy a more
expensive carpet or the job is difficult or tricky, than you should find an
installer with more experience. I personally believe that it takes at least 10
years before any flooring installer can truly begin to master their trade. And
that's only if they have the desire to become one of the best. Many installers
NEVER become anything more than a poor quality installer.
There is another
little-known factor that must be considered when looking for a good carpet
installer. The question you need to ask is "what type of experience do
they have?" Here is what I mean:
Some carpet installers
charge more because they are more experienced. Some carpet installers charge
less because they are used to production work. (apartments or new construction).
You need to decide what level of expertise your job requires and then hire an
installer according to his level of expertise and pay rate.
There are four basic
levels of experience with carpet installers.
Property Management. The
experience of this type of carpet installer is obtained from installing
lower grades of carpet in unoccupied apartments. They have limited
experience with installing carpet on stairs, and limited experience with
difficult or tricky installations. They generally use lower quality
installation products (glues, seam tape, tack-less strips, transition
metals) in order to save money. Property owners and managers often do not
thoroughly inspect the quality of work performed by installers doing
apartment work. Many have become carpet installers as a result of being
hired as a carpet layers helper and few are formally trained or have
completed an apprentice program. This is not to say that you should not hire
them, but you need to be aware that many may lack the experience to perform
all types of carpet installations. Installers who do apartment work are
generally paid the least amount per yard.
New home construction.
Installers with the bulk of their trade experience from new construction
will have increased knowledge of installing different types of stairs.
(carpet can be very difficult to install on some types of stairs) They will
have more experience with various styles and grades of carpet as well. They
always have to satisfy the builder and the new homeowners with their
performance, which make them pay closer attention to detail. Builders
usually pay less than the standard rate for this type of installer but there
is usually a greater volume of work available.
Custom Homes and Residential
Remodels. By far, installers with experience derived from doing custom
homes or residential work have the widest degree of expertise. They are the
most qualified to perform the most difficult installation jobs using all
types and grades of carpet. Most of these installers have had some type of
formal training or were trained by someone who was a master craftsman. You
can expect to pay more to hire this type of carpet installer, but the
quality of work you receive will be well worth it.
Commercial carpet installation.
Installers that have experience in commercial applications are accustomed to
working with large quantities of materials and having a shorter amount of
time to get the job done. Many commercial jobs require working night and
weekends to keep the construction schedule on track. Installers with this
type of experience generally prefer this type of work and may be reluctant
to do residential carpet installations.
By determining the type of experience
that a carpet installer has, you can better determine their ability to handle
completing your carpet job properly and the range of prices they may charge for
their services. You can also lower you installation costs by hiring a less
experienced installer if you have a simple job that a less experienced installer
could easily perform.
Finding a well-established installer
could help you get a really good price on your carpet, pad and
installation!" Hiring an experienced carpet installer can offer you a lot
more than just a good installation job. Installers usually know which carpet
dealers are fair and who are not. Some carpet installers can buy carpet at
near-wholesale prices and may be willing to help you save money on materials.
Finding a well-established installer could help you get a really good price on
your carpet, pad and installation.
Finding a qualified carpet (or vinyl)
installer As with any trade, some installers are just not worth hiring. In fact,
the good ones are the hardest to find. They often have a busy schedule due to a
great word-of-mouth reputation. These professionals may not need to advertise in
order to keep busy, so the only way to find them may only be through someone who
knows them or who has hired them in the past. Ask your friends, relatives or
co-workers who they would recommend.
Who to call
Local carpet stores generally will not
allow you to hire their installers unless you buy the carpet from them. Carpet
retailers often have a difficult time finding and keeping good installers
because the best installers are busy enough due to their reputation alone, and
don’t need or even want to work for a retail carpet store. Many carpet stores
make a profit on the installation charge. Here are 5 places you may find a good
carpet installer:
You might be able find a good carpet
installer in the yellow pages, under the heading of "Carpet". There is
sometimes a sub-heading for "Carpet Layers".
You can find qualified Installers in
the service directory of your local newspapers. Look under the heading of
"Floor Coverings", or "Carpet Services".
Larger cities may have a Local
Carpet Layers Union. Union workers are paid by the hour, not by the yard.
This may be a great way to find a qualified Installer.
On the Internet, you can search the
web for installers in your area by accessing the yellow pages online. There
are also web sites that list pre-screened contractors. Do a keyword search
for carpet installers, carpet installation or contractors.
Call a local flooring Supply
Company. Carpet Layers have to buy supplies from businesses that sell
flooring supplies. They might be able to give you a few names to call. They
often have a corkboard where carpet installers can place their business
cards. Find these businesses in the yellow pages under Carpet- sub heading
of Carpet Sundries, Flooring materials or Carpet Equipment and Supplies.
To see the 10
most important questions you need to ask every carpet installer...
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Alan
J. Fletcher is a well-known author of several carpet and flooring books
including "The 2008 Complete Carpet Buying Guide" a consumer
carpet buying guide to buying carpet wisely, saving money and avoiding
retail carpet scams. Mr. Fletcher is available to speak or as a professional
motivational speaker or property management maintenance trainer for real
estate functions and property management conventions. Visit Alan's Preferred
Carpet Dealer Directory at AbcCarpets.com. Contact Mr. Fletcher at
503-709-3632 or email Alan@landlordfloors.com.
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