Ulster carpet 3.97 should be 4 meter

grandadgolfer

Rdwill said:

I have been investigating carpets. I measure my living room at needing a carpet 4.99m wide.

On the backs of all the carpet displays in the showrooms there is a disclaimer saying they can be out by up to +/-1.25%.

This backed up by

http://www.wesellcarpets.co.uk/important-guidelines-when-purchasing-a-carpet.html

4: WIDTHS & MATCHING: All widths of carpets are permitted a legal tolerance of +/- 1.25% which conforms to the British Standards Institute No 3655.

This means that my 5m wide carpet could be 5.0625m or 4.9375 or 5.25cms short as a worst case. 

The gamble is that most of the carpets will come in at 5m and then the variance to 5m should come increasingly rarer as you move away from 5m. (Assuming the manufacturers try and make them 5.0m).

Hopefully if the carpet comes in just a couple of cms narrow ie at 4.97m, or so, the fitters should be able to stretch it to the 4.99m. But if the width is below what the fitters can stretch then I will have to have a seam.

There is no such thing as a 6m carpet, and I can't measure the width before I buy.

So in my simple brain there should be just over a 50 50 chance of the carpet fitting, I'm looking for a 4.99 carpet and if it comes up short there should be a 50 50 chance of the fitters being able to stretch to fit.

So adding all that together, I reckon there's a bout a 1 in 5 chance that I'll have a seam.

That's the gamble when buying a carpet with a width so close to the width of the room

The OPs house was measured by the carpet shop owner......so if carpet is short its down to him to sort out

Bendy_House

Rdwill said:

On the backs of all the carpet displays in the showrooms there is a disclaimer saying they can be out by up to +/-1.25%.

That's the gamble when buying a carpet with a width so close to the width of the room

That's interesting, Rdwill.

Fortunately for Susan, she left all the measuring to the 'experts'. It's interesting what their comment was, that this must be a 'manufacturing error', because surely they'd know about acceptable tolerances?! That's a bit worrying.

Anyhoo, Susan, give some solid thought to what you want/will accept when Friday comes. From what I understand, a seamed carpet should be strong and long-lasting - it's a common practice. So give it a hoover, and see how visible the seam is - would you notice it if you didn't know about it? Does the pile fall in the same direction after hoovering/walking on it?

Based on this, be ready to counter whatever the boss says come Friday. He's making all the right noises at the moment, but that doesn't mean that his plan/hope/intention all along wasn't to get you to see that it isn't really an 'issue', so is hoping to 'persuade' you into a discount or other compromise instead of a replacement.

Don't be caught off-guard. If you conclude it is simply not acceptable (hopefully with a good valid reason - eg. it's unacceptably visible), then you need to 'regretfully' make this clear, and 'politely' insist they replace it.

If you are thinking "Ok, it just isn't that bad, and it's in a zero-traffic area - I can live with it...", then have a figure in your mind of what you'll accept in order to keep it. I dunno - half the cost of the actual carpet?

(What do folk think?)

Ie, the fitting charge will have been the same, and the guys have earned that. They've done the other room well, so that's all good. So how much did this room's carpet cost in total?

That sort of stuff. Be prepared :-)

You hold all the aces - you haven't paid yet/ they said it was an error/ they said they'd replace it if needed/ etc.

victor2

Bendy_House said:

...

If you are thinking "Ok, it just isn't that bad, and it's in a zero-traffic area - I can live with it...", then have a figure in your mind of what you'll accept in order to keep it. I dunno - half the cost of the actual carpet?

(What do folk think?)

...

It does sound as though the seam might not be so bad. The OP has spent a lot on carpet, I think half the cost could be a bit optimistic. Half of the cost to the supplier, which the OP won't know, might even be a bit steep. Maybe a few hundred pounds discount is more realistic?

Of course, there would be a significant cost to the supplier if they replace the whole carpet, but they will be able to sell the original carpet as an "offcut".

Good luck OP though. It sounds like the carpet supplier values his reputation and customer service, so will hopefully reach a conclusion sdatisfactory to all involved. Do please let us know what happens.

Section62

victor2 said:

Of course, there would be a significant cost to the supplier if they replace the whole carpet, but they will be able to sell the original carpet as an "offcut".

I do wonder if that is what the shop owner was alluding to when he said to just lay the carpet and not wanting to leave the OP with a bare floor - in other words use this carpet for now, and when the right size is (eventually) available he'll sell this one on to someone who doesn't mind not having brand spanking new.  There must be some second-hand value to a carpet which has only been down a couple of months.

Maybe that's being optimistic?

But it would be why I'd approach the discussions in a non-confrontational manner... just wait and see what he offers and take it from there.  It sounds like the company has 'traditional' values - I'd give them the opportunity to fix this in the 'traditional' way, rather than going in guns blazing demanding all kinds of compo.

Susan1942

Thank you both for your views.  I have had a look this morning. If I look down at it there is one bit which I would worry about.  It seems to be higher and I would worry about that in the long run

The shop owner I think is a very fair man so I will listen to what he has to say.  I am fortunate that my Daughter has a law degree and work as a liability adjuster for a large insurance company.  All her work is in claims. She thinks the carpet should be replaced.
There must be 3 different pieces as they will have used the cut off from the dining room.  I think the length of the room is just over 30 feet.  I am the second owner Havr been here for 23 years I have the plan so can check that out.  I have had a couple of very stressful days

I appreciate all the information and advice so thanks to everyone 
Sue 

Susan1942

I have been in to the shop several times.  He is a very nice man and I would think a fair man.
My daughter told me to

Hoover it several times and see how it looks.  I have pulled out the sofa and join good at that part of the room.  The area where you can see the join clearly is just beyond my side board..
Standing up it Is very obvious
My daughter will come along and have a look.
Thing is I will always see it..The areas not seen are ok with.
Will let you all know what happens As ever thank you all again. 
Sue

Bendy_House

"I have had a look this morning. If I look down at it there is one bit which I would worry about.  It seems to be higher and I would worry about that in the long run"

"Hoover it several times and see how it looks.  I have pulled out the sofa and join good at that part of the room.  The area where you can see the join clearly is just beyond my side board. Standing up it Is very obvious"

I think that's your decision made?

Chances are the guy is as family-business orientated as he appears so all will be well, and Happy New Carpet :-)

Susan1942

My daughter is coming along to take a look.  As I say claims etc is her job for over 32 years 

Thanks again 

Susan1942

Before my daughter came to have a look her opinion was that if it looks ok a seam would not be a major problem.  
On inspection she says the carpet needs replacing. Says it looks like the pile is possibly going the wrong way.  It is sitting proud and is very obvious.  She says she is pretty sure that the shop owner will say he is not happy with how it looks or feels

It is a shame that in a 30+ ft room this is in an area that is very obvious Just about 4 feet.
We reckon that there must be around 4 or 5 pieces of carpet..The bottom line is she says it needs replacing and she doesn't think the shop owner will have a problem with that. 
It's a family of 3 generations and the fitters say he is of the old school. No bill and not even a deposit.
Just wanted to update you as you have all been very helpful.
I have to laugh at my daughter . She comes in like greased lightning and immediately says you can't have that.
Will let you know what the owner says on Friday.
It seems a shame that such a large piece of carpet will be wasted.  He might even give it to a charity. There is a very good one in Harrogate.
I have new sofas arriving tomorrow to replace what I have. 
One sofa and a chair are like new as I live alone hardly ever sat on . Duresta so good brand.  There is a local charity who look to get homeless people in to accommodateion.They need absolutely Everything. Daughter sent photos and the will collect Fri..very good wool.rug in perfect condition and matches the  sofa etc. Coffee table as well.
Thanks again Sue.

Belenus

Susan1942 said:

Before my daughter came to have a look her opinion was that if it looks ok a seam would not be a major problem.  
On inspection she says the carpet needs replacing. Says it looks like the pile is possibly going the wrong way.  It is sitting proud and is very obvious. 

That is what concerned me in my post yesterday.

I don't think you will ever be happy with anything but a replacement carpet so insist on that.

Belenus said:

Where did they get the extra 4 inch strip from?

Did they trim another length piece from the same roll and lay it so that it has the same orientation as the main section or did they cut a width piece from the same roll?

If the latter, you may see obvious differences in the way the pile lies.

I assume that your room is 4.00m wide and more than 4.00m long.