8 Tips on Hiring a Carpet Contractor for Your Carpet Installation

While often neglected, carpeting can actually be a very important design element in your home. It really ties in all the parts of the room, be it the furniture, accessories, or even drapes. It's also the place where most children play and relax while watching television or playing video games. It can be a wonderful feeling on bare feet after a long day at the office and can make a home feel warm and cozy. And it should be easy to take care of and should last for years to come. 

While it’s certainly possible to clean your carpet on your own, installing it may not be as straightforward a process. It's always recommended that you use the services of a professional contractor to handle the carpet installation. To find a good carpet contractor, there are several factors you need to take into consideration. 

Amount of Experience

It’s always a good idea to check how long the carpet contractor has been in business, and the number of services they have provided to homeowners. Carpet installers with less experience may sometimes try to draw you in with lower prices than those of experienced contractors. Needless to say, carpet installers who have been practicing their trade for longer will know how to install a carpet properly and efficiently. This is also important for the longevity of the carpet they will be installing. As such, it is always best to stick with a seasoned professional.

Consider hiring a carpet contractor who has experience of at least five years in apartments and houses. If an installer’s experience only involves apartment work, let’s suppose, they may not have the necessary expertise in carpeting stairs or other challenges they may face in houses and complexes. A contractor who has mastered the trickier parts of the profession will be able to carry out the new carpet installation more smoothly.

The right carpet contractor will be able to handle a variety of projects, and that includes carpeting a staircase.

Contractor’s Credentials

Aside from experience, another important detail to look out for is whether the carpet installer has all the necessary credentials. Make sure the contractor you’re hiring has a license, a surety bond, business liability insurance, and worker’s compensation coverage. A license essentially proves that the installer has met the basic criteria set by the licensing authority or construction board. As for the liability insurance and the compensation policy, they cover property damage as well as the carpet installation team and yourself should an accident occur on the job. 

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and ratings from previous clients are often great indicators of quality and reliability when you’re searching for carpet contractors — or any contractor, for that matter. Take your time to browse through online reviews and the contractors’ websites. You may also want to look for recent reviews since they most likely refer to the exact same team you’ll be hiring. And if a carpet installer has plenty of positive reviews, a couple of negative comments shouldn’t be cause for concern.

Online reviews are always a great source of information regarding a contractor’s reliability and quality of work.

Estimates and Specifications

Unexpected floor preparation and repairs can incur additional costs. Aside from the square footage estimates, make sure the quote accounts for floor prep and repair. An estimate should detail the steps of the process, the duration, the materials involved, and additional costs to carry out the repairs. It’s also very important for the estimate to be in writing; an oral estimate is never enough. You should also be sure to understand the installer’s payment schedule and to find out what methods of payment they accept.

The time estimate is another way to have an idea of how experienced and efficient the contractor is throughout the carpet installation process. Of course, the duration will depend on the complexity of the project and the size of the room. A small entryway carpet, for instance, will likely take less time to install than a bedroom carpet. But you can still compare the time estimate with other contractors. Professional carpet installers will be able to get the job done using the most efficient methods and in the shortest amount of time.

Bear in mind that carpeting a spacious room like a master bedroom naturally takes more time.

Communication Skills

Communication is the hallmark of any successful carpet installation project. A carpet contractor with the right communication skills will be able to listen to your concerns, address your questions, and ensure that the result meets your expectations.  That being said, make sure to discuss any specific requests you may have with the potential installer. This will allow them to have a better idea of what you have in mind. A reputable contractor will also have contacts that you can reach during office hours. 

Safety of Installation

While installing carpets isn’t exactly a life-threatening project, it can involve some unsafe conditions. Make sure the contractor you hire will take all the safety precautions during the carpet installation. For instance, you obviously wouldn’t want them to toss the old carpet out the window or off the balcony to save time. The installer should also be responsible for not leaving any extension cords across stairways or corridors. A decent carpet contractor will also clean up any remaining mess afterward while keeping track of tacks, nails, and other potentially dangerous items. 

The Issue With Low-Cost Providers

Be aware of carpet installers whose prices are suspiciously lower than those of their competitors. In most cases, the “lower cost” carpet replacement companies that you may come across often aren’t able to find qualified professionals. As a result, they end up hiring sloppy installers whose work is far from satisfactory. Even the material they offer may not exactly be up to standards. Bear in mind that if you end up installing a low-quality carpet, you’ll be replacing it sooner than you’d expect.

Make sure not to sacrifice the quality of work when opting for lower carpet installation prices.

Inquiring about the tools and materials is another way to find out about the quality of work. For example, ask if the contractor will use a power stretcher to prevent the new carpet from developing bumps. If they won’t be using a power stretcher, or if they won’t answer any questions regarding materials, you may want to continue your search. 

Other Considerations

If you are not having your carpet installed by the store from which you bought it, remember a few important points:

• Carpets are cut and rolled upon delivery; ask that they unroll them and inspect them before delivering them or loading them up.
• Ask if they can air out the carpet for a day or two in the warehouse before delivery so that your home has far fewer fumes.
• Carefully look over the new carpet after it's delivered and before it's installed for any defects it may have.
• Be sure you understand the carpet manufacturer's and retailer's policies regarding defects that are found.

There are some things you may need to consider once you’ve chosen your carpet and it’s delivered to your home. For instance, some companies might suggest unrolling it and letting it air out — if it hasn’t been done already. It’s a good idea to do this in a room where the odor and fumes will not bother you, such as a sunroom or back porch. But if the carpet installer says to leave it rolled, that is what you should do. 

And when it's time for the installation of the carpet, make sure to clear out everything from the rooms — including children and pets. This allows the installers to work as efficiently as possible. You may also want to check if the pad has arrived along with the carpet. Don’t hesitate to speak to your carpet contractor if you did not receive the pad, as you may need to reschedule the installation date. After all, you can't install carpet without padding.