Carpetbuying-o-phobia!

WidowTwanky_2

I have heard and read so many horror stories about Carpet Right, here and elsewhere, including how they fold up your carpet (rather than roll it) as a 'punishment' for not using their own fitters. I also know that what they give with one hand, the amazing 60% off deals etc. they claw back with the other by overcharging for grippers and stuff like that...

I'm now petrified of buying my carpet!

Are Allied any better? Or is it really just best to bite the bullet, pay a bit extra and go with a local indepdendant shop?

Any recommendations for shops / fitters in the North London area. (N10, N22, N13, N11, N20, N21 areas?).

Thanks.

wallbash

Ive used Carpet right a number of times , never had any problems.
Do they discount the carpet and add the extras??? Sorry but its the bottom line , the price you pay , thats important.

Do they fold rather than roll, well if you wanted them to roll just ask!
They once fold for me, only way to get it into car!

Would a gentle fold damage a carpet??

Tried our local independent for a price
Much more expensive, was shocked :eek:

WidowTwanky_2

Blimey. Talk about me looking at the glass half empty. It never even occurred to me that it might be a good thing to have your carpet folded, never even thought about trying to get it in my car and was just blindly going to pay for delivery...! :wall: Thanks!
Now, anyone got an opinion on whether or not a 4 x 3.5m carpet could be folded and put in a Corsa hatchback, with the seats down of course?

wallbash

Will it fit ?

Is it a thin cheap bedroom carpet? OR a very thick expensive heavy duty one??

Would be confidant about the bedroom but if its thicker




Ps been thanked before but thanks for my first kiss:o

davidscottishpainter19

Folding carpet is not a good idea, it can crush the carpet and this crush mark can stay for quite a while, even when fitted. Every time you go into carpet right, ask them to roll it and "not fold it".
Shopping around

Buying carpet is easy. Look for a carpet you like in a carpet shop. Get all the details you can about it, forget about taking the range name, there are so many similar carpets you want to go by the quality and not its name, as some shops may not sell the carpet you want so it will make it difficult to compare quotes. Look out for 5 - 7 year stain and wear warranty, 80% wool / 20% polypropylene are the top of the range. And most importantly - feel the carpet. Feel the density of the pile and feel for comfort, if the carpet feels flimsy, then it is flimsy, the quality of the carpet is as important as the colour, I can't emphasise enough how many customers fail to feel the quality and go by look alone.

++++++Carpet Quality
Polypropylene is a common textile used in 90% of carpets on the market. Even the higher end quality carpets have about 20% polypropylene in them.

Polypropylene offers strength to many carpets. You'll find the 80% wool/ 20% polypropylene carpets feel better, and the lower end carpet's have 100% polypropylene in them. There is nothing wrong with this material, but if you want the look and feel of a quality carpet, and you have some money (£20 Sqm +) then go for 80%wool / 20% poly.

If you wish to spend as little as possible there are many carpets that are cheap that also offer long term benefits (100% polypropylene); stain resistant, wear resistant (B-tron protection) e.t.c. and cost £10 + Sq meter.

Less than £10 a square metre and your getting a mediocre carpet that has short term wearability (false economy - short term solution). Spend the extra and save replacing the carpet for many years.

++++++Underlay
The superior Underlay on the market
*Waffle underlay quality is measured in lb's of weight or
*Foam unerlay is measured in mm
Both types of underlay have the same technical specifications

Reccomended Underlays
100lb weight Waffle underlay (15 Sq metre roll):, or
9mm foam underlay (15 Sqm a roll)

***Carpet right Charge £119. (Classic Prima)
***You can buy it for £70 elsewhere.

For wood gripper rod (to hold the carpet to the floor)(50 sticks is required for the average 3 bed house)

***Carpet Right charge £3.03 a stick
***You can buy it for £0.75p elsewhere

So if you want to save about £100 for the average room, buy your underlay and other accessories from somewhere else

Tips when buying your carpet
1)They (carpet right) charge £35 for delivery of your flooring, if you can, get someone to pick it up for you.
2)They charge more for fitting; 50p more per square metre, another saving; look in the local paper for a cheaper fitter
3)Most importantly, don't believe anything the salesman tells you, he is brilliant at twisting the truth to either confuse
you or baffle you with unfactual information
4)You can buy your underlay or gripper rod cheaper, don't buy it from them, even if they tell you they've done you a deal on
the whole lot;
No they hav'nt, they've just given you that sale price on the carpet e.g. 50%, but they've charged you full whack for the accessories, ask for a breakdown (or carpet only price), don't tolerate they're rushy attitude, you are the customer you have a right to know, they'll try and baffle you, do not accept they're behaviour, all they want is that quick commission and to throw you out after getting your money.
4)Don't buy the lower quality underlay under 100lb, or under 8mm (for the foam underlays) you might aswell put paper down, the problem is it can show imperfections on the floor base, and it offers next to no insulation or comfort.
5)If you use a non 'carpet right' fitter Carpet Right most often would have folded the carpet rather than rolled it, so that the carpet is crushed and looks terrible when installed, ensure you roll it up when you get it, or specifically ask them to roll it properly and not fold it in the first place. Why do they crush/fold the carpet?-- to make you wish you'd chosen a carpet right fitter rather than your own hired fitter or they're just lazy (my opinion).
6)General domestic is suitable for bedrooms only. For hallway, stairs, landings lounge and heavy use areas only accept Heavy domestic, otherwise the pile will wear thin (especially on stairs = danger hazard)
7)Buy underlay, it will save you alot of money (dependant on use) on heating and replacement carpet in the future.


Here are some ranges to get a vague idea of the ranges out there

WidowTwanky_2

Well so far I've not made any dreadful mistakes. I've bought Cloud 9 Cumulus underlay, online from http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/ at a fraction of the price it would cost at a shop....! And delivered within 24 hours.
I have got in touch with a fitter that I found via http://www.nicfltd.org.uk/ the National Institute of Carpet Fitters, and he seems very professional and actually can 'source' carpet. And he's got a van, so no delivery charge or folding up of carpets in the Corsa. I am meeting him and his samples sometime in the very near future.
It looks like I may well be able to get this done 'the old-fashioned way' and give the chainstores a wide berth.
I hope it's going to be a happy experience. Will pop back and let you all know how it went.
Thanks indeed for your help.:T

shown73

Had a troll round John Lewis today, and was pleasantly surprised to find their carpets quite competitive in price, in contrast to most of their products, and quality seemed pretty good, although I'm a complete amateur. Also very helpful, samples readily available to take away, etc. It's such a difference looking at carpets in artificial light, then in your own room, and I'll make sure I always do that in future. I think any respectable carpet retailer would give/bring samples to the location.

bigsteve

WidowTwanky wrote: »

Well so far I've not made any dreadful mistakes. I've bought Cloud 9 Cumulus underlay, online from http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/ at a fraction of the price it would cost at a shop....! And delivered within 24 hours.
I have got in touch with a fitter that I found via http://www.nicfltd.org.uk/ the National Institute of Carpet Fitters, and he seems very professional and actually can 'source' carpet. And he's got a van, so no delivery charge or folding up of carpets in the Corsa. I am meeting him and his samples sometime in the very near future.
It looks like I may well be able to get this done 'the old-fashioned way' and give the chainstores a wide berth.
I hope it's going to be a happy experience. Will pop back and let you all know how it went.
Thanks indeed for your help.:T

Hi, I am going through the experience myself. I'm near Heathrow/Twickenham.
Looking to carpet a loft extension 6.3m x 4.1m So I'm looking at 26sqm with a seam. I've bought the grippers, bought the underlay, now struggling with the carpet. I've also been in contact with a carpet fitter who has offered to do it for me. How was your carpet fitter? How much did he charge you for fitting /sourcing the carpet?

Cheers

Steve

WidowTwanky_2

In the end I got the whole thing done for £195. That included grippers, door bar, sourcing and fitting the carpet. The fitter got the carpet delivered to him and brought it with him. Fitted the underlay I'd already got from an internet company, fitted the carpet...Did a great job and was a nice bloke. Totally hassle free. Glad I avoided the 'chains' and best of luck to you!

Coveredinbees!!!!

we got a good deal from K.D Hawes in Luton.