Need advice on replacing carpet

[yardwork]

It's time to replace the carpet on my stairs and bedroom floors. We're talking about 700 square feet, and I dread this because it means taking the beds apart and moving furniture, but it needs to be done. The underlying padding is falling apart and the carpet is worn, dirty, and has ripples in it now. I had it cleaned a few years ago and that's when the padding fell apart.

Should I work with a local carpet store, or is it safe to purchase from Home Depot or Lowe's, which seems to have cheaper pricing? What are the things I need to look out for in purchase and installation? I've been reading about the different types of carpet. I know that it's important to get good quality padding.

This needs to be reasonably priced, but I'm probably going to be living here for a while, so I want it to be good quality.

Thanks for any advice.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Places like Home Depot who offer services like carpet installation, HVAC service, etc.

are just acting as middlemen who then subcontract out the service. Better for you and your local economy to deal directly with the actual contractor.

Get SEVERAL estimates! It will shock you by how much the price varies. I once had a small real estate office re-carpeted and the prices varied by over a thousand dollars for the job.

As to the actual carpet and padding quality, you get what you pay for.

[yardwork]

2. That's very helpful advice. Thank you!

[canoeist52]

3. I recommend commercial level loop carpet.

I installed carpet for 10 years. This is the carpet that was easiest to maintain and looked the best after years of wear and is what I have in my house.

No white or light colors.
The most dense padding you can afford.
Go with the locals and ask for references. (the store I contracted with had a great "letter wall".
Make sure the installers use a "power stretcher" to avoid ripples in the future

[yardwork]

4. This is very helpful! Thank you! How you feel about silvery gray colors?

Or should I go with something darker? I don't like beige.

[canoeist52]

5. Multi-colors hide dirt best. I have a grey, blue and brown pattern in my house.

Also when the job is done, save some left-over pieces in case you need to do a repair. The best place to store the pieces is in a closet - not in a dry attic or damp cellar.

[Laurian]

6. Thanks, this is good information to have.

We replaced some carpet about two and a half years ago. We used a nationally advertised company ... that turned out to be a big mistake! The "new" carpet looks worse than the 18 year old carpet it replaced. It's all lumpy and loose. It obviously wasn't stretched properly when it was installed. That company now wants $150 to re-stretch it. No way!

Lesson learned, we'll use a local company to replace this mess, one that will stand by the work for a reasonable amount of time. Your advice will come in handy as we go forward.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. Don't skimp on the padding

When I replaced my builder grade carpet/padding with a higher (but not the highest) grade padding, it was like night and day.

I was so surprised at the difference that I went back into the carpet store to feel it side by side with my hands. Still couldn't tell much of a difference by feel, but man alive, the difference on the floor is amazing. I wouldn't go any higher than I did, but am glad I spent the extra money to go up a few grades from where I was.

I went with a 90% olefin 10% nylon berber in a mid-beige with blue, white and green specks and am thrilled with it. The olefin is very strong and wears well, but is much harder/scratchier than the softer nylon. My old carpet was 100% olefin and while it dried quickly after a steam cleaning, it just felt 'rough' after a few years.

You'll know when you feel it what feels right to you.

Oh and edit - I went with a Carpet Mart (or similar named) warehouse for the carpet, padding and tack strips; and used a local installer who was recommended to me. Guys did a great job - I can't even see the seams, and I know where they are. Have to really poke around to find them, and seaming berber is a real pain in the ass - hard to get right unless they know what they are doing.

[Digit]

8. It would seem to me if you are purchasing HD or Lowe's in stock carpeting that you would save money

Of course you would be limited in your choices, but if they don't have to order it....that equals savings.

Anyone else who knows better, please let me know since I will also be in the market in the near future.

[Thomus12]

9. Need advice on replacing carpet

Hi, local carpet store is the best place to buy carpet. While you purchase carpet don't compromise with its quality.

_____________
DIY Products

[Phentex]

10. Years ago, I had a good experience with Home Depot...

Last edited Sat Jun 23, 2012, 01:01 PM - Edit history (1)

it sticks out in my mind as one of the rare times where everything went as it should. It was just one room of carpet, though, and they came on time, did a good job, and left with no surprises or aggravation. (You can tell I've been burned many times, lol.)

When the puppies came along, we decided to tile the rooms and went with a contractor recommended by a neighbor. He did a great job with the tile but was a total pain in the butt!

Good luck!

[jacksnergis]

11. Carpet cleaning

Last edited Tue Jan 1, 2013, 12:38 AM - Edit history (2)

I am impressed with amount of response this thread has got. Here I would like remove my worry about carpet cleaning. My carpets are year old now and need some serious commercial carpet cleaning gold coast. Please guide me about solutions best suited for carpets.

[NMDemDist2]

13. the worst thing about cleaning carpets is leaving soap in them

however you decide to do it, make sure you do a plain rinse on them and get as much of the soap out as humanly possible. if you can do straight steam with no chemicals, that's even better

[NMDemDist2]

12. i'd second the commercial loop also a couple tips

take two baggies full of dirt from your yard with you. wet one down (make mud) and use these to check the color 'tone' of the samples. it will help the carpet look cleaner between vacuuming and won't show the dust and dirt as much. it makes a HUGE difference. you don't have to buy dirt colored rug, just make sure the colors don't clash when put next to each other. you'll see immediately what i'm talking about if you try it with some samples.

also, i swear by polypropylene rugs. they just don't stain. I have a room sized rug in my living room made of polypro i've had over 6 years with coffee spills, puppy accidents, mud, oil field tracks etc etc

i clean it and it looks like new. the color goes all the way through and it's a breeze to clean

http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/construction-fibers/pile-fibers.php

also the tip about the best pad you can afford is true. it will take a mid grade carpet to a whole new level. well worth putting your cash in pad and scrimping a bit on the actual carpet.