[teaston]

We need new carpets in our lounge, stairs and landing and we’ve never really bought any carpets before so I’d appreciate any good opinions on what’s the best way to go about it please.

Are chains like Capet Right the best way to go, or one of the many little independent shops, or order it online and get a floor layer in separately to fit it?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Independent shops are best IMO. You need to see the carpet first of course

I assume you should get better service from somewhere like that but I have heard that they're quite expensive? Can you haggle the price is in them or is the price the price?

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Independent shops are best IMO. You need to see the carpet first of course

+1

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Independent shops are best IMO. You need to see the carpet first of course

+1

Funnily enough having carpet fitted as I type this! Independent company highly regarded. Wouldn't buy of a chain.

[xenon]

Can't see it makes any difference - I'd go with the purchasing power of a big chain like CarpetRight. They get unfairly maligned because they sell shit but people are on budgets, purchasing for rental accommodation and so forth. They also sell very high-quality carpet too. You pays your money etc. Quality underlay makes a huge difference too. People say they wouldn't buy from a chain simply because they sell carpet at a fiver a square yard. So what? They also sell at £100 square yard. Groundless snobbery ensues.

They tend to use sub-contract fitters who are either good or replaced.

[xenon]

^ probably. With a chain you can invariably get free fitting thrown in but probably not much more negotiation room.

[JLR1969]

Carpet is one thing fitting another.

I would try and buy from a company that employs its fitters rather than sub-contractors

Not all sub-contractors are bad but in my experience employed ones have more loyalty and do a better job

[teaston]

Originally Posted by xenon

Can't see it makes any difference - I'd go with the purchasing power of a big chain like CarpetRight. They get unfairly maligned because they sell shit but people are on budgets, purchasing for rental accommodation and so forth. They also sell very high-quality carpet too. You pays your money etc. Quality underlay makes a huge difference too.

They tend to use sub-contract fitters who are either good or replaced.

Yes I've heard a decent underlay is very important, I will buy that online and fit it myself though as there is nothing to it and I'll save a large amount of money.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Carpet is one thing fitting another.

I would try and buy from a company that employs its fitters rather than sub-contractors

Not all sub-contractors are bad but in my experience employed ones have more loyalty and do a better job

Yeah but it only takes one complaint and they'll use a different subby. Much more difficult to get a bad one off payroll.

[simon.]

Originally Posted by teaston

Yes I've heard a decent underlay is very important, I will buy that online and fit it myself though as there is nothing to it and I'll save a large amount of money.

Underlay. Get the best you can afford, no foam shite!

[Soul_Glo]

Definitely an independent. Scotch guard is good. Most carpets now have a stain proof system such as scotch guard. Cleaning the carpet is a doddle e.g. red wine, dog poop etc.

Ask if they have any damaged pieces. I carpeted our bedroom using a factory reject carpet. The scotch guard process had gone and there was a yellow line about 3" long and 2mm wide but that was going be concealed under the bed. So they did the carpet and install for £60 in our room which was 4m x 3.5m.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by simon.

Underlay. Get the best you can afford, no foam shite!

I was looking at the Cloud 9 Cumulus 11mm, seems to be well regarded?

[xenon]

Originally Posted by 37psi

Definitely an independent.

Why? Not being provocative, just curious as to why you're so adamant.

[R0B]

+1 for independent. Better service in my experience, and I want our high street to still be around in 5 years.

[Healy]

Definitely go independent.

Make sure you use a rubber crumb underlay in high wear areas like Hall, Stairs and Landing the Cloud 9 is fine for other areas. I would always go for an 80/20 wool twist and give 100% synthetic stainless shite a wide berth.

40 or 50 ounce would be my preference if you can afford it.

[xenon]

Well that's the question answered. Subjectively it seems 100% independent. Objectively there is nothing to substantiate this but I guess that's a straw poll on the internet for you.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by xenon

Yeah but it only takes one complaint and they'll use a different subby. Much more difficult to get a bad one off payroll.

That's not my experience

[isleaiw1]

Always gone independent, often the same one for years. Had them do the lot as the deal you negotiate is likely to be better if they do the whole job - they need to make a profit too or next time you will have to deal with the major chain whether you want to or not.

Buy the best you can for those rooms - the ones everyone sees, the ones that get most wear and the ones most likely to influence a buyer if you ever sell the house

Just like buying a car really....

[Healy]

I wouldn't let Cartpetright put a floor covering in the dogs basket

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Always gone independent, often the same one for years. Had them do the lot as the deal you negotiate is likely to be better if they do the whole job - they need to make a profit too or next time you will have to deal with the major chain whether you want to or not.

Buy the best you can for those rooms - the ones everyone sees, the ones that get most wear and the ones most likely to influence a buyer if you ever sell the house

Just like buying a car really....

I used to use King Carpets when in Chesterfield, are they still around?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Healy

Definitely go independent.

Make sure you use a rubber crumb underlay in high wear areas like Hall, Stairs and Landing the Cloud 9 is fine for other areas. I would always go for an 80/20 wool twist and give 100% synthetic stainless shite a wide berth.

40 or 50 ounce would be my preference if you can afford it.

Interesting, I had almost decided on the synthetic stainless type! Why would you advise against it?

[Healy]

Originally Posted by teaston

Interesting, I had almost decided on the synthetic stainless type! Why would you advise against it?

It flattens very quickly and will look nasty very quickly. The reason it is marketed as stainless is because the synthetic fibres are basically solid so they wont absorb.

As others have said get a 80/20 and scotchguard, it will cost more but will look much better for much longer.