Carpet - cheap underlay & grippers?

travel_freak

Many thanks for the two further replies.

I spoke again to Carpet Right today. The estimator came out and I asked him about Cloud 9 - he said it was absolutely fine and he had it in his own house, though he said I shouldn't say to the shop sales people that he told me that!

Spoke again to the shop staff and they were sticking to their guns- they say they've had lots of reported problems with carpet wear due to Cloud 9 and that it definitely wouldn't be suitable for stairs. They did actually say that if I was adamant about getting my own underlay then to get the Duralay one which although isn't the same as the one they supply is apparently the most similar. As this is also available at £1.99 a square metre I think I'll err on the side of caution and go for that.

Is it usual for Carpetright to charge more for fitting if you supply your own underlay and grippers? They told me the normal fitting price would be £150 but it's an extra £50 for fitting if you supply your own underlay! Seems a bit unfair to me as the fitters would be doing the same amount of work regardless of whether they're fitting my underlay or Carpetright's underlay! Has anyone tried "negotiating" with CR on this point or will I get nowhere do you think?

Regards,

Woby_Tide

we paid £42 a room roughly for the 3 rooms we got done(each about 11x13ft, as you say, there is less work to be done so all they are doing is trying to fleece, I'd be tempted to call their bluff and ask for delivery only and find a carpet fitter of your own back to install them after they get delivered onto your own underlay and grippers. Having had issues with the carpet installs at our place we know now a few of carpetrights intricate policies, i.e. for any damages the most they can 'offer' in compensation is £50, above that the only option is a replacement carpet, fitters also don't get paid for return visits or replacement carpet fittings (plus there staff evidently haven't a clue given the runaround you are having with the underlay etc)

Lord_Gardener

Re Carpet Rights comments - what a load of tosh! When the carpet is fitted correctly there will be no movement between the underlay and backing of the carpet! How is it supposed to be wearing it out? This is why I suggested going to a local independant carpet retailer who won't give you a load of bull!

We've got all our carpets on Cloud 9 for the last 10 years including stairs with no problems! NB No problem with fitting either!

Here's some info on Cloud 9

http://www.underlay.com/cloud9.htm

Might be worth emailing Phil Harris to find out his opinion on Cloud 9!

wackojackouk

Hi guys

In same dilema. Found a nice carpet for our lounge in CarpetRight this evening working out at £210. Then added £41 fitting, £25 delivery, £98 underlay and £28 grippers + £8 door metal thing.

Said to the missus thats a lot....

Looked on here and googled a few sites and found underlay (duralay for £55 delivered (15m sq) and 13m worth of grippers for £5 in wickes + door thing for £2 online as well so will save quite a bit that way.

However my g/f sister said they replaced their carpet recently and just used the existing grippers and underlay as it looked in good nick.

Obviously carpet ppl will tell u to replace the underlay as this is where they make the most £££ by the sounds of things but what do any of you guys on here think - or what should i check the existing one for?

Finally (sorry to ramble) how much would a private fitter charge for a 15 sq mtr room roughly (Greater London)?

and if I should get new underlay - what is the best brand (value for money) or minimum thickness I should get - I've seen Duralay, Tredaire, etc - and is traditional rubber one or the cloud 9 the way to go?

Thanks

WJUK

edthedead

I paid £50 for fitting in a approx 15sq meter room in Surrey

wackojackouk

Cheers ed

So can anyone tell me which Underlay I should get pls

Is the foam stuff better than the rubber stuff?

Thinking of 9mm regardless?

Cheers

WJUK

Peartree

Slightly confused by all this but having family in the trade have happily never had to go to a big carpet retailer before! However, do you really, really think you are getting are good quality carpet for 60% plus 20% discount. There is absolutely no way this is possible unless they are going out of business - they are making their money somewhere. You are actually getting a carpet that (my maths isn't good on this but I think) is worth 40% of this less 20%.

This retailer is trying to recoup any discount (far more minimal than it appears) on extras and it sounds like a complete scam. There is no reason why you should be worrying about what underlay to buy, etc, etc. If you go to a good carpet fitter, they will quote you an inclusive price for the whole thing.

If you already have carpets in place, there is no earthly reason why you should have to pay for new grippers and underlay, the new carpet can go over the old ones. In fact, old carpet itself is a perfectly good underlay for new carpet.

Carpets are on area where you should not compromise on quality, make sur you ge the very best you can afford. My family connection has now retired but buys his own carpets at a small local retailer that gives a good, all inclusive price (ie, fitting, underlay and so on) on good quality carpet at an all inclusive price.

Do some serious price comparison on the quality and brand Carpet Right is offering taking into account the fitting and other extras.

Avoriaz

I have only skimmed the tread so I am probably repeating what has already been said.

Don’t skimp on the underlay. Good quality carpet needs good quality underlay, otherwise you are wasting money on the carpet.

Don’t buy cheap underlay, buy good underlay cheaply.

20% off a 60% price just sounds typical marketing or sales speak to me. What matters is the price you pay for the quality of carpet that you want.

Personally I would try and find a small specialist carpet firm in your locality and get them to quote. They might be a much better overall deal than Carpet Right or the other big chains.

dlouis_2

This is one of those areas where it's very difficult to know who to trust.

Can anyone send me a private email recommending a good independent carpet fitter in West London? I've tried the referral section of this website and not found anything.

Mine'sAPintPlease

I asked my management company, and they've given me details of their independent carpet fitters that they use on several blocks around my area. Have you, or anyone you know, got a good management company that you could ask for advice?