Carpeting and LVTs on 4 bed house

rammster

Hi

We have just bought a 4 bed house (sq footage 1700 sq ft).

Ground floor has underfloor heating (this includes, lounge, kitchen diner, dining room , study / utility , Cloakroom)

1st floor has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). The bathrooms on the 1st floor are already tiled. - this has the standard gas boiler heating.

I live just outside swindon in a village called Wanborough in Wiltshire.

I am thinking of carperting the entire 1st floor (bathrooms are already tiled) with a medium to luxury spec carpet.

I am also considering putting luxury vinyl tiles for the entire ground floor. Carpet right do Tegola luxury tiles which are good with underfloor heating. We were thinking of bbuying their olympia range for the kitchen. We would also use wood effect LVTs for the rest of the house.

Carpet right are yet to give me an estimate (swindon area) . But a ball park figure would be around 5k plus (including carpeted staircase)

1. My question is that whether my approach is incorrect. Are there any better materials for under floor heated properties.

2. I have read mixed reviews on carpet right, the fact that they charge you heavy extras for the inlays / fitments etc.

3. Are there any good flooring independent specialists in Swindon/Bristol/ Reading area who could do the job better/ cheaper.

Any advice deeply appreciated!

daveyjp

John Lewis sell low TOG carpet specifically for underfloor heating, my parents have it and it is excellent.

The rest of their bungalow is proper timber flooring which also works well.

I would avoid Carpetright like the plague. There are plenty of independent flooring specialists around who will give proper advice and competitive prices.

cattie

Yes Carpetright will charge more for underlay & accessories such as gripper rods & door bars than you can obtain for far cheaper by buying online. Even the independent shops make good money on these things so the tip is to buy online & save a fortune.

Many independent shops offer free fitting & the carpets cost work out at either the same or cheaper than Carpetright sell them.

Also, Carpetright give the ranges of known brands different names, so for instance if you saw a Comar Carpets say Living Natural Range in an independent shop, if stocked by Carpetright it will generally be going by a completely different name in there. The reason for them doing this according to many people in the flooring trade is so that you can't make a direct comparison on price.

There's nothing wrong with buying from Carpetright if they have exactly what you want & you've previously done your homework to ensure you're getting the best deal you can on what you've chosen.

wallbash

I would compare prices from CarpetRight with any other shops, if they say its an Axminster on the label, its an Axmister if you buy at CarpetRight or any other shop. CarpetRight don't make carpets they just sell them.

Lot of snobbery about buying carpet, in the end its down just to the carpet ( plus underlay / grippers etc ) and the final price.

katsu

There is a great independent store on the Caversham Road in Reading - Rainbow Carpets. Used them many years ago and was happy. Had a google for you and this is them http://www.rainbowcarpets.co.uk/index.php No idea if they go into Wiltshire though, seems a bit far?

rammster

I wanted to thank all the contributors for all their insights. I have now got in touch with Rainbow Carpets in Reading as well.

rammster

I have also had a quote from a Bristol based firm. See this and tell me what you think ??

Underlay required 73.2 sq meters @ £4.00 pm2 = £292.80
Carpet required 73.2 sq meters @ £12.99 pm2 = £950.87
LVT required 86.57 sq meters @ £21.35 pm2 = £1848.27
Latex required 86.57 sq meters @ £3.00 pm2= £260.00

Fitting of all flooring and sub floor preperations = £1045.00

Total Cost £4395.00 inc VAT

Mrs_Soup

My mum would swear by John Lewis - Reading.

cattie

rammster wrote: »

I have also had a quote from a Bristol based firm. See this and tell me what you think ??

Underlay required 73.2 sq meters @ £4.00 pm2 = £292.80
Carpet required 73.2 sq meters @ £12.99 pm2 = £950.87
LVT required 86.57 sq meters @ £21.35 pm2 = £1848.27
Latex required 86.57 sq meters @ £3.00 pm2= £260.00

Fitting of all flooring and sub floor preperations = £1045.00

Total Cost £4395.00 inc VAT

Depends on what underlay they are quoting for & the same with the carpet.

As they are obviously quoting for a bedroom quality carpet at £12.99 mtr, you'd do well to ensure you get a decent underlay as it can make a lot of difference to cheaper carpets.