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How to Buy New Carpet Wisely

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Unbiased Carpet Advice from a Trusted Carpet Expert & Consumer Advocate

How to Measure Carpet

Alan Fletcher - Carpet Expert & Consumer Advocate

Measuring Your Carpet Needs Yourself.

 

Perhaps all you care about right now is how to measure your home for carpet yourself. Many people try to measure for themselves and do it wrong. Many homeowners think that measuring their own carpet needs will help save money. This is not always true. Sometimes measuring your own carpet needs can cost you hundreds more than necessary. There are dozens of smart ways to save big money on new carpet, getting accurate measuring is just one way.  How to measure for carpet in four simple steps.

 

How to measure for carpet

This is the question everyone wants to know. Logically, you may be thinking that if you can determine exactly how much carpet you need to buy, then you can get a basic idea about how much you need to spend on new carpet right? Unless you are only doing one or two rooms, then you should have a professional measure your home. 

If you want to know how to measure for carpet yourself, you are going to need more than just a tape measure and a calculator to be successful. You need to know the how's and why's of carpet installation. I installed carpet for over 20 years, and it takes years of practice to become accurate at measuring carpet. If you measure wrong you stand to lose hundreds or worse. Room Yardage Chart

 

Even if you measure every room in your home perfectly, it doesn't mean that you have accurately measured you home for carpet! There are a number critical factors that must be taken into consideration when measuring for carpet: 

1. The direction of the nap (All connecting rooms need to lay down the same direction)

2. Some carpets have a pattern match that must be figured. (what is the pattern repeat?)

3. Seams should be located in out of the way areas when possible.

4. Limiting waste You don't want to buy more carpet than you need. 

 

Basic Carpet Prices

 

Have you checked carpet prices lately? The cost for new carpet has doubled in the past 10 years. Why pay more than you need to! Let me show you over 60 smart and easy ways to save money on carpet. You really can save hundreds, or even thousands on your next carpet purchase. How Much Should I Spend on Carpet?

 

Basic Carpet Longevity

Many factor come into play when trying to figure out how long a carpet might last. Here are some of the key reasons that affect how long a carpet will last:

• The fiber type and style, tuft twist, density rating, pile height.

• How much foot traffic in the home, number of children, pets, teens. 

• How well it is maintained, regular vacuuming, periodic cleaning.

• How well it is installed (properly stretched)

• What padding is used, type, thickness and density.

Depending on all these factors here is a basic guideline for how long you might expect a carpet to last:

 

(Cost per square yard) Carpet Cost    Pad cost    Labor cost   Total Cost   Longevity   $15                 $3               $4             $22.00         3 to 7 years    $20                 $3               $4             $27.00        6 to 10 years    $25                 $4               $5             $34.00        8 to 12 years     $30                  $4              $5             $39.00       10 to 14 years    $35                  $5               $5             $45.00       12 to 16 years    $40                 $6               $6             $52.00       15 to 20 years

 

Padding and labor charges typically increase with the quality of the carpet. You must be sure that the padding is capable to last as long as the carpet. It is more difficult to install heavier carpets and labor prices will increase accordingly. Berber carpets are typically  more expensive to install. Installing carpet stairs usually has an additional charge. 

 

Alan's Preferred Carpet Dealer Directory

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It's getting harder to find a reputable carpet dealer these days! That's why I've created a special hand-picked list of over 150 locally owned Carpet Dealers with Free estimates, Fair prices, Knowledgeable staff, Honest measuring and Qualified installers. What more can you ask for?

See My Recommended Carpet Dealers Near You!

 

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