Carpet shopping piles on options, decisions
If you are looking to add or replace carpet in your home, you may be overwhelmed with all of the options. When buying carpet or a rug it’s important to buy from a reputable retailer to get the most for your money. Use these tips when searching for a carpet retailer and picking out new carpet.
Find a reliable retailer. Ask friends, amily members and neighbors to recommend a reputable carpet retailer they have purchased from in the past. Check retailers at www.bbbhouston.org for a company’s business review. Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true.
Consider the type of carpet. Think about the areas where you will install the carpet. If you are carpeting a family room, bathroom or kitchen, be sure to choose a carpet that is easy to clean. High traffic areas will need a carpet that is durable and will wear well, as opposed to low traffic areas, such as bedrooms, where you can choose a less durable carpet. If you have young children or pets, select carpet that is stain resistant.
Take a sample home. Before purchas- ing carpet, be sure to first take a sample piece home. Make sure you are happy with the way the carpet looks with the wall color and the furniture in the room. Test the quality of the carpet by bending back a corner and checking the density. The backing should be sturdy and contain thick, dense pile.
Check the label. Each rug or carpet is required by the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act to have an attached label. The label must include: the name of the manufacturer, distributor, or Federal Trade Commission registration number, the country of origin, the names of the fibers in the pile, and the percent of each fiber over 5 percent. However, if the piece of carpet is cut from a roll, it’s not required by law for that portion to be labeled. In thisf case, be sure all the label information is provided in a catalog and written on the receipt.
Get everything in writing. The contract with the carpet retailer should list all the details of your purchase. It should include: the brand name, name of the manufacturer, color, size and style. The details of the price such as the price per square yard, total purchase price, installation costs, and other additional fees also should be included in the contract. If there is a warranty, the specifics should be written in the contract. The contract should state exactly what is and is not covered.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For more information or to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Monica Russo is director of investigations and media relations with the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Monica Russo, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at mrusso@bbbhou.org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.