With today’s huge selection of flooring materials, people may think it’s a daunting task to shop for new flooring. And, big box store ads that make promises about inexpensive installation prices only add to the confusion. But armed with a little knowledge and expert help, you can easily choose new flooring that will be perfect for your home.
“Don’t be fooled by $99 full-house installation advertisements,” said Terri Missler, who co-owns Completely Floored in Everett and Yakima. (Formerly End of the Roll.)
“You typically cannot do an install for that price,” agreed Bill Missler, Terri’s husband and co-owner of Completely Floored. The cost will have to be recouped in the price of the pad or flooring, so it’s best to avoid this kind of installation gimmick, he cautioned.
It’s not just about a piece of flooring. Terri encourages you to start by shopping around and comparing “package to package prices.” Is the installation included in the cost? If you are buying carpet, what is the quality of the pad that goes with it? If you are choosing laminate that looks like hardwood, what quality are you purchasing?
There’s good, better and best. In the end, it pays to carefully compare all of the services and materials that come in your new flooring package.
“We definitely offer service, price and quality at Completely Floored,” Bill said.
It also pays to know a little bit about what you want. For example, if you are thinking about bamboo floors, you might want to research the different types. Some are better than others. Also, try to find out the advantages and disadvantages of different flooring types to help you make your decision.
You will want to consider how the new flooring will fit with your lifestyle and the design of your home. If it’s in a high traffic area like the kitchen or bathroom, will it take wear and tear and withstand puddles of water? Do you want your new flooring to be a focal point in the room or serve as a neutralizer so other design elements in your home stand out?
A good place to start for ideas and inspiration is by walking through a few showrooms. At Completely Floored you can wander among row after row of carpet, vinyl, hardwood, laminate and tile floorings. You can also find laminate and slab granite countertops. Your choices are limited only by your imagination in this 20,000 square-feet showroom.
If you are a little unsure about choosing your flooring, Terri can help. She has extensive interior design experience and will help you choose materials, colors and styles that will integrate with your home and lifestyle. You’ll leave with an armful of samples to try in your home.
Hardwoods are a good example of the importance of making the right choice. “You get what you pay for,” Terri said. “It’s a large investment and you don’t want to sacrifice quality.”
Do you have pets, children or lots of high traffic areas? Maybe a laminate would be a better choice. These are all considerations that Bill and Terri will help you sort through when choosing your flooring
The same goes for carpet selection. Do you want carpet for a rental or are you planning to eventually sell your home? Is it for the whole house or just one room?
Neutral colors are great for rentals and a home you plan to sell. But, if you are going to live there forever, Bill might encourage you to pick a color you love. “Have fun with it,” he recommended.
Environmental concerns are top of mind for most consumers. Completely Floored offers a selection of carpets made from recycled materials. And, soon the next generation of vinyl floors will be glueless.
Completely Floored also has professional installers. These are not just any installers. They are specialized by type of flooring. Bill encourages customers to bring their quotes from other businesses to their store. At no cost to you, a professional installer will come to your home, offer expert advice about matching products and upgrades and give you a comparable quote.
“We want to put customers in something that works with what they want to do and a budget they can afford,” Bill said.
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