carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

[sublauxation]

I'm getting around to fixing up the basement after my November flood. The flooring guy who the insurance company sent out measured at a total of 540 sq ft. I just had a guy out from Lowes and he measured at 612 sq ft. Best I can Lowes just added on an extra 72 sq ft of carpet for stairs iinstead of using the remnants. Is that common? By my math it looks like their will easily be enough remnant to do the stairs even accounting for the carpet grain. I've heard it's common for places like Lowes to add on extra square footage to pad the bill, anybody know if there's truth to that or had any experience with Lowes carpet installs?

I've read from some people that each stair should be done individually (that's the way it's done now) so 12 steps would mean 12 pieces of carpet. They claim that there will be fewer problems with things working loose in a couple years. Any truth to this? It seems that it would be easier to use remnants for the stairs this way. The stairs will be done hollywood style, not sure if that makes a difference.

My wife fell in love with the Lowes carpet and wants to order this weekend so I wont be able to talk to either installer. Thanks for any help.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

More pieces of carpet on the stairs (lots of use) means more cut ends to ravel and fray. They may have planned on using a long strip and running it, including wrap over ends, if that's an option on your stairs. Lowes may also add a 10-15% overage for safety measure, which is standard in a lot of industries. Get a third quote from another vendor to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

Thanks for the reply. I watched a bunch of youtube videos after I posted this and looks like everybody does stairs differently. When you mention it as a 10-15% overage it makes a lot more sense, it just sucks when that overage is multiplied into dollars. I wish I could get another quote but my wife is on the warpath to order it now so looks like I'll go with their numbers and have some extra laying around.

 

[FlaCowboy]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

If it were me, I would tell Lowes that you like their carpet however you have other estimates and the square footages are considerably different and ask them to remeasure. Never hurts to just talk to them.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

Dirty secret, the installers pay for all supplies out of pocket, not the retailer. So may have done it to make installers happier.

 

[jlinder]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

I have been looking at Costco for carpeting. Lots of good reviews and I love how they stand behind the products they sell. In talks with them right now. Shaw brand carpet, their Cannon Beach line goes for $4.25/sq. ft. all in. Includes all labor and padding, cleanup, etc.

This month they are running a sale that upgrades you to their top line padding for the same price.

Don't know if you are a Costco member, but the cost of membership is pretty small compared to what you might save.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

I have been looking at Costco for carpeting. Lots of good reviews and I love how they stand behind the products they sell. In talks with them right now. Shaw brand carpet, their Cannon Beach line goes for $4.25/sq. ft. all in. Includes all labor and padding, cleanup, etc.

This month they are running a sale that upgrades you to their top line padding for the same price.

Don't know if you are a Costco member, but the cost of membership is pretty small compared to what you might save.

Someone is not paying attention if they are still suggesting Costco carpet....:facepalm:

My wife fell in love with the Lowes carpet and wants to order this weekend

 

[jlinder]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

Someone is not paying attention if they are still suggesting Costco carpet....:facepalm:

I did not see any comments here on Costco carpet. Can you explain? Would love to get any info I can.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

I did not see any comments here on Costco carpet. Can you explain? Would love to get any info I can.

I am sure Costco carpet is fine, I just meant that the decision has already been made....

My wife fell in love with the Lowes carpet and wants to order this weekend

 

[sublauxation]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

Yup, I have no bargaining power, wife likes the carpet

Stopped in today and ordered the carpet which was interesting (I may call in tomorrow and cancel just on principal). Had a 10% off coupon so I figured I'd give in on the extra 100 ft of carpet. It's supposed to be a "free install," but turns out my coupon only worked on a portion of the order because they wont discount the "labor." I get that they wont discount the labor for the stairs but about 30% of the carpet cost is actually considered labor? I had the head cashier talking in circles, I asked if I just bought the carpet and pad if I could get the discount on the entire cost. She had no idea. In my industry that would be considered a bait and switch which isn't very legal.

 

[FlaCowboy]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

Yup, I have no bargaining power, wife likes the carpet

Stopped in today and ordered the carpet which was interesting (I may call in tomorrow and cancel just on principal). Had a 10% off coupon so I figured I'd give in on the extra 100 ft of carpet. It's supposed to be a "free install," but turns out my coupon only worked on a portion of the order because they wont discount the "labor." I get that they wont discount the labor for the stairs but about 30% of the carpet cost is actually considered labor? I had the head cashier talking in circles, I asked if I just bought the carpet and pad if I could get the discount on the entire cost. She had no idea. In my industry that would be considered a bait and switch which isn't very legal.

That is when I would have became a loud and unhappy customer asking to speak with a Manager making sure All of the other customers heard me
But of course....that is just me

 

[sublauxation]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

That is when I would have became a loud and unhappy customer asking to speak with a Manager making sure All of the other customers heard me
But of course....that is just me

That phone call is coming.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

I had an estimate from Costco a few weeks ago and just had Home Depot in today for their measure. Will be interesting to see what the difference is in the yardage calculated.

Regarding the 10% coupon, Home Depot is going to honor my 10% Lowes coupon and my understanding is also that it will only apply to the material(carpet and pad). Since I haven't actually ordered the carpet yet, will be interesting to see if they pull the 30% of the carpet is labor shenanigan.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

The 10% waste is pretty standard on material costs. I'd figure more on labor waste.:facepalm: Especially union labor. If that's political please delete.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

I had an estimate from Costco a few weeks ago and just had Home Depot in today for their measure. Will be interesting to see what the difference is in the yardage calculated.

Regarding the 10% coupon, Home Depot is going to honor my 10% Lowes coupon and my understanding is also that it will only apply to the material(carpet and pad). Since I haven't actually ordered the carpet yet, will be interesting to see if they pull the 30% of the carpet is labor shenanigan.

Lowes actually counts the pad as labor. Figure that one out? Home depot doesn't screw around, they give a computer printout with each cut of carpet and the % waste. What I don't get is how do they charge for the same square footage of pad? They can use pad remnants a lot more easily than carpet, especially on stairs.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: carpet measuring, and installation on stairs

So I got my quote from Home Depot today. Pad and Carpet are in the material section. I need to go in to the store to pay since I'm using the coupon. They charge tax on all material since it isn't labor.