• How much does it cost?
  What you get from my competitors and what they charge.
  (home depot, lowes home improvement, lumber liquidators, empire today)
   
• Getting ready. What's next? Do I need to do anything?
   
• What are the first steps? How do we start?

No, I Don't. If I can't install your floor perfect and by the manufactures instructions, then I won't do it. I will tell you that you will need to find someone better, with more knowledge and experience.+

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As a young helper I worked with my dad through the teenage years, through collage and up until I was married. I learned how to prepare, repair and install subfloors. I learned how to install carpet, sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, ceramic and porcelain tiles. With a desire to expand my knowledge of flooring, I took classes and went to seminars for hardwood flooring, laminate and engineered flooring. I also learned about the products and the installation processes from manufacturing reps and from old time installers. Giving me a great beginning for installing the floors correctly and with the finishing detail only a true professional can give. I continue to keep up to date on flooring products and installation techniques and for the last 17 years I have proven myself to be a top notch installer to hundreds of customers.

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The Whole House Scam:

This involves attracting you to the store by offering "whole house" carpet installation for one low price; usually less than one hundred dollars. Don't be taken in, as any logic will let you properly conclude that the dealer is making up the labor cost loss by over pricing the cost of the carpet and pad. There is no free lunch; talented craftsmen do not work for free or minimum wage. Also, when you read the "fine print" of these programs, there are heavy extra charges.
 

This type of advertising is more often seen in the big box stores. For example, Home Depot makes the customer purchase their "special pad" up to $8/sq yd. This eight dollars includes installation of the pad also. Maybe this is how they justify charging so much their pad. Also, in the "disclosure statement", the customer is responsible for removing the doors. This service is included in most carpet installs by the majority of carpet dealers. This means that the "$97 Install" really is JUST FOR THE CARPET. Furthermore, there is a heavy charge for moving furniture, pull up and disposal of old carpet and pad, and in some cases, even more extras for metals and thresholds. Combine this with the fact that HD must hire installers from companies that pay their installers the lowest wages, and you can see that HD may even be making money on their labor.

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The Private Label Scam:

Not really a "scam" but more of a marketing ploy to prevent you the consumer from shopping using the old "apples to apples" comparison technique. Its kind of like buying a mattress, you can find the exact same mattress under 10 different "names" depending on where you shop. In the case of carpet, the most prevalent use of "private labels" is found in the the big box retailers, and large buying group stores like the Carpet One Chain of carpet stores.

Private labeling is now so prolific, that most larger carpet dealers use some sort of private labeling to keep true comparison shopping to a minimum.

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Guaranteed Lowest Price Scam:

This ploy is used by many of the giant retailers who want you to think their price is the lowest. The gimmick is to say that if you can find the same carpet elsewhere at a lower price, "we'll meet or beat that price by 5%". Of course you can't find the "SAME" carpet elsewhere because the giant retailer has it private labeled. Therefore, the only place you will find the same named carpet is at a branch or division of the same chain.

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• I am more of an expert and have more experience with the material, the installation process and the sub floors in your home, than any retailer or big box store. I will always give you my best personal service.
   
• I am more eager to please and value your business enough to go to the extra mile. Also I count on your business and your word of mouth, to continue to stay in business.
   
• I have seen a lot of special flooring circumstances and know how to deal with them. As well as giving you advice on the best flooring options for your home and family.

In general... my craftsmanship is better, my customer service is better, the quality of my staff is better and I have better labor warranties that are longer and honor more than the big guys do! I strive to serve my customers with the extensive knowledge and expertise I have gained in the industry, while continually offering the finest in customer service.

My commitment to training has proven to my customers that there is no substitute for proper installation.

more reasons to choose me

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Absolutely! I have a great relationship with a local wholesale distributor. They have a full show room that you are welcome to visit. They will give you a quote and you can pay them directly. They even have financing available.

As an independent contractor, my own overhead is very low. I charge an honest wage, for honest work.

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Where you buy the new flooring is up to you. Although I challenge you to find a better deal on your material!

Normally you pay for material up front. Labor is paid to me upon job completion and of course your approval. I accept major credit cards, check, paypal and of course cash. You will receive a paid in full invoice detailing your job, along with the labor warranty.

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All installations are physically done by me. At the moment I have one helper, who happens to be my oldest son. This insures that your flooring is done correctly and with the utmost detail.

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How quickly will my flooring be installed after I place my order?

I can usually start with you and have material onsite and begin install within 7-14 days.

Do you charge for an in home estimate? If so, does it apply to the cost of purchase?

I do not charge for estimates. Most estimating can be done over the phone or thru email. If I come to your house, to measure and evaluate your flooring project, the quote I give you will be the same as your invoice. Unless, there are unforeseen sight conditions that can be addressed by me, then we will of course stop and discuss the situation with you.

Quotes

When I give you a quote, it will be the same as your invoice.

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Can I take a sample home to check how the flooring will look in my room?

If you would like to purchase flooring, I have a membership to a wholesale flooring distributor. You are welcome to use my membership. They have a great showroom with lots of selections from different brands of carpet, hardwoods, laminates, cork, bamboo, tile and vinyl. Take a sample home to check how the flooring will look. There are no sales people making commission, but there are employees who will help you and answer all of your questions, as well as give you a great quote on material! You will get my pricing on material, that’s hard to beat!

To get the info, just fill out my estimate request form and we'll get started.

* If you do take home a sample, check it out during the day and night. Also, look at the sample on the floor, not just at eye-level.

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what kind of underlayment does this flooring require?

I will advise you if your sub floor needs to be prepared with patch or leveling products, or if you require new wood underlayment. While this will add additional cost, you will dramatically increase the life and performance of your new flooring.

Also see unforeseen sight conditions

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What are the guarantees or warranties on the flooring?

Warranties on material will be available directly from the manufacture and will be stated on your product or in the directions for the product.

What is the warranty on the installation? For how long?

My labor warranty is for 5 years and transferable!
If something goes wrong, contact me and I will make it right.

* Installation – Remember, flooring installation shouldn't be scheduled until all your painting, wallpapering, or other construction is finished. flooring should be the last part of your remodeling project.

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Will the condition of my existing floor affect the cost of installation?

Only if there is extensive damage to the sub flooring, which would require repair before I could continue the installation. You can have me do it, or if your able, you can do it yourself.

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Who is responsible for removing and disposing of old my flooring? Is there an additional fee for that?

I will tear out your old carpet, pad & tack strips for free. I will put them in my truck and haul it to the dump for a small fee. I have to pay to get rid of the old material at the dump. Located at Corporation Blvd in Raleigh.

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Will I need new moldings, wall base and toe kick guards? Or can my old ones be removed and replaced? Will this cost extra?

I would suggest getting new moldings if you can. It just looks better with a new floor. Besides I will remove and install it for free!

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Will the new flooring add height to my current floor? Will I need to shave the bottoms of doors so they’ll swing freely? Can you do that? Is there additional cost?

The best thing to due, usually, is to remove whatever the old floor right down to the subfloor. If your doors need to be cut, I usually charge $10. In most cases, your doors will not have to be cut.

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Who is responsible for appliance, fixtures and furniture removal and replacement?

I will move most appliances for free. For pedestal sinks & toilets, I charge less than half of what the big guys charge.

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