Advice on carpet suppliers

SmoothRider

Hi,

I've never bought a carpet before but a whole floor at home needs urgent (years overdue) carpeting. We've decided, after a lot of research online/asking family/trawling the archives here, to get a harder wearing & more fire resistant option of a wool 80% / manmade 20% Twist mix in a beige/brown speckled colour to do all rooms and hall.

But I'm more confused about how to source it the more research I do!

Online suppliers have the downside of not being able to see it in person, and I've been disappointed with quality on several free samples I've ordered... National chains are expensive but not even that close to us to go and look at their showroom... Independent shops could be a rip off and turn out to be v expensive because none of their ranges are online...

I'm at a big if a loss.. I know what type of carpet I want but not sure of the best way to source it... I'd go with an independent shop local to me but the 1 close by is more of an interior design place, vv expensive and their showroom oozes luxury... Not aimed at me who just wants a functional, good value carpet (not necessarily cheap, just ok value).

Can anyone advise, I'm suffering from paralysis by over analysis here!

Doozergirl

Hardwearing is manmade, all day long to me. With pets and children, it's easily cleanable, even with bleach, and doesn't stain. It also provides value for money.

Buying carpet is much like anything else, if you're MSE. Find the one you like, google it and see if it's cheaper elsewhere or go to other places and play them off against each other.

Don't fall for things like 'free underlay'. It isn't.

London50

Over many years we have done all of the choices you state and the best we found was a local independent store in town that has been there for a lot of years.
If you have a store like that close by then IMO it is the one to try as places like that need to have and keep a good reputation if they want to stay. Big companies may on the face of it could be a bit cheaper but if you get problems many just brush it off or ignore any complaints as there is another sale just round the corner.
Our last carpet/fitting we had two follow up calls from them to make sure everything was as we wanted it,I somehow do not see the big carpet chains doing that.

ka7e

I have used onlinecarpets.co.uk - much cheaper than the usual chain stores and free samples available. Their Glencoe 80/20 twist is only available in Coffee, but is £10.99 per m2. More colour choices in the Riverside Twist range at £18.99. https://www.onlinecarpets.co.uk/carpets.html/filter/colour_generic/beige/material/WoolMix

SmoothRider

I hadn't thought about looking into the nearest independent shops longevity/if they have skin in the game from a long term rep pov.

I need to go for the wool mix unfortunately because we have open fires. Otherwise I'd go for the stain removal of the manmade in an instant, agreed!

I look independently. The online carpets store was the one I got a few samples from and I was shocked at quality/not thick or hard enough, thin with too soft a fabric... But maybe that's my lack of carpet knowledge!! I can't remember all of the sample names but I'm 99% sure one of them was the coffee one referenced... Not saying they're bad as a supplier tbh but I suspect our heavily trafficked hallway area would have no chance, and it's not the carpet's fault if it's not been chosen well.

SmoothRider

I WILL look independently I meant. I don't seem to be able to edit to fix typos

Doozergirl

Touch the carpets in shops first, then shop around. I don't think ordering samples online will be satisfying at all.

Too much choice out there and the feel of it is right up there!

SmoothRider

Actually I feel bad now. I was wrong, other half has pointed out that the online shop suggested hasn't sent their samples yet, my earlier comments about quality were about the Flooring Superstore samples we ordered. So scratch that, I'll judge them once they arrive,my bad!

dunroving

You may have reasons to want the same carpet throughout, but have you thought about a different (man-made) carpet in high-traffic areas like the hallway and kitchen, where there's less risk of an errant spark causing damage?

in_my_wellies

Another vote for the local independent shop. I went to a very small independent family shop in a village. Every room was significantly cheaper than any of the big stores.

Korkyb

In the past I've bought my own underlay - much cheaper than getting it supplied.

None of the carpet shops I've then bought the carpet from had any issues with fitting the carpet with my own underlay.