At the store

 
Your new flooring will last for years, which is great. But…for the same reason, you probably haven’t shopped for flooring in years, which makes it a little daunting.

Don’t worry. Here are the tips you need. With this information, you can spend all your energy on the fun part: selecting your great new floor.

What the project specialist may ask you
The more you’re willing to share when asked questions like these below, the better your flooring selection will be.
  • How is the room used?
  • What is the activity level of the room?
  • Is there a door to the outside in the room?
  • Do you have indoor pets?
  • What are the room’s lighting sources?
  • What types of furnishings do you have?
  • What’s the style of the room? Traditional? Contemporary? Rustic?
  • What’s the feel of the room? Casual? Formal? Somewhere in between?
  • Are you living with this new flooring or planning to sell your home?
  • What is the size of the room?
  • Will people have food in this room? Will kids play in this room? Will kids play with their food in this room?

What you should ask the project specialist
You probably shop for flooring so rarely, you shouldn’t be expected to have all the answers. But it’s great to have the questions:
  • Do you charge for an in-home estimate? If so, does it apply to the cost of purchase?
  • Does the price include installation?
  • If not, what are the charges and procedures for installation?
  • What are the strengths of this particular choice versus another?
  • Are there guarantees or warranties on the flooring? On the padding? On the installation?
  • What features does this flooring have that makes it easy to maintain?
  • Can I take a sample home to check how the flooring color will look in the room?
  • What kind of padding or underlayment does this flooring require?
  • How quickly will my flooring be installed after I place my order?
  • If I buy an additional amount, could I minimize the number of seams in my room?
  • To have fewer seams, is this carpet available in a 15-foot width?
  • Who is responsible for removing and disposing of old floor coverings? Is there an additional fee for that?

Here are a few other things to know or consider before, during, and after your flooring purchase.

Before
When you go to the store, feel free to take fabric samples, pillows, carpet cushions, or bedspreads. Don’t be embarrassed to take whatever you need to help you make the choice.

Your flooring installation shouldn’t be scheduled until all your painting, wallpapering, or construction is complete. Your flooring should be the last element of your remodeling project.

Check the sample in your home, and be sure to check it during the day and at night. The lighting in the store could give you a completely different look than you’ll find at home. Also, look at the sample on the floor, not just at eye level.

During
At the time of your purchase, a qualified “estimator” will come to your home to measure exactly how much flooring you will need and the layout of the materials.

After that, make sure your cost estimates include everything, including padding or underlayment and installation.

After
Keep a written record of the details of your flooring purchase, so you will have all the information you would ever need if you have questions for The Floor Store throughout the life of your flooring. You will want to include all professional cleaning records, as directed by the manufacturer.

If you've purchased new carpet, vacuum the newly installed carpet immediately to remove loose fibers…and to get the perfect “first glimpse” of your beautiful new floor.