Raleigh Carpet Masters :: Call Today: 800.919.5859

It’s no accident contractors have such a bad reputation – they get more fraud complaints than any other workers! Here’s how to find a reputable one – and skip the scammers.

 

You Will Need

• A telephone
• A computer

 

Step 1: Make the first move

If a contractor comes to you unsolicited looking for business, he may not be reputable. Ignore the contractor who comes knocking on your door with an offer and go find someone on your own.

 

Step 2: Ask a test question

Test him with a question you already know the answer to. For example, if there’s a crack in your wall, say something like, ‘I hope I don’t need to re-sheetrock the entire room!’ If he responds, ‘You very well might,’ he’s probably trying to scam you.

 

 

 

Take your time! A shady contractor will pressure you to make a quick decision, because he knows if you have the opportunity to ask around, you’ll change your mind. A good contractor will let you think it over without any pressure.

 

Step 3: Ask for references

Ask for references from three other customers from three different time periods. Even a bad contractor can do a good job once, and you want to prove that he’s consistent. If he hesitates to give you the information, run!

 

Step 4: Get his card

Ask for his business card; if there’s a post-office box instead of a real address, that’s a red flag. Call the number on the card and make sure he picks up; some numbers are voicemail services you can’t trace.

 

 

 

Ask to see a copy of his insurance policies, which should include both liability and workman’s compensation. If he doesn’t have any and hurts himself on the job, or breaks something, you could be financially responsible!

 

Step 5: Check him out

Call the Better Business Bureau and see if there are any complaints about him, and the State Board of Contractors to make sure he’s reputable. Also, search for him online; if he’s a scammer, others may have posted complaints about him.

 

Step 6: Get it in writing

Never trust a contractor who says you don’t need a written contract. And don’t sign a blank contract or one with blank spots; he could write anything in there later and you would be responsible.

 

Step 7: Ask about permits

If there’s a lot of construction work, odds are you’ll need permits from your city or county. If he says you don’t need them, or insists you get them, that’s a sign he’s not licensed.

 

 

 

Look for a contractor who’s been in business for more than three years. If he’s been around a while, chances are he’ll still be around if something goes wrong and he needs to fix it.

Call Raleigh Carpet Masters for a free Quote:  1.800.919.5859

Raleigh Carpet Installation

Installing carpets is a rather expensive home improvement investment. There are two ways to go about this: either hire the professionals or do it yourself. Carpets can be installed in almost any floor space. There are even synthetic carpets now that can be suited to bathrooms and kitchen floors. For some, wall-to-wall carpeting means literally that: the floor carpets extend to a few inches above the floor and unto the convening walls. For more specialized carpeting needs, you would have to seek the services of the pros.

Of course, when you hire carpeting professionals, the two things you have to contend with are: the quality of the professionals’ work and the bills that would come after the carpet is installed. Since you are footing all the bills, you might as well ensure that the services rendered to you are satisfactory. Don’t make yourself scarce when the carpeting professionals are working. In fact, make sure that everything is according to your directives. Try to find areas that may become problematic in the future: tricky corners, uneven seams, even areas under doors and on stairways. You should also oversee stairway carpeting, because this is usually the one place that is most bothersome. And yes, make sure that they are installing the carpet you have earlier chosen.

If you plan to do this on your own, you have to devote a lot of time and energy (not to mention, the money involved) to do this.

Carpeting could be as easy as laying down a small carpet right in the middle of the floor - or not. Then again, for larger projects, you first need to plot out the floor area where the carpet should go. This should be more important than actually choosing the carpeting that should go unto the floor(s). By plotting out the floor area, you also need to take note of electricity and heating conduits. Also, by knowing how large the floor area, you can choose the carpeting that will fit your budget and the rooms’ foot traffic requirements.

There are many types of carpeting to choose from now: from the practical to the luxurious. Carpet fibers have varying degrees of deterioration. Some carpets can last years without replacing. Others (especially if the wear is constant) may need replacing every couple of years. There are whole carpets and carpet tiles, colorTEC carpet, hooked rug, flatweave carpet, knotted pile carpet (supplementary weft cut-loop pile,) needlefelt, tufted, woven. Carpets can be suited to the motif of the room, and the foot traffic the room usually accommodates. However, if you are on a budget, you may want to choose a carpet that can be resilient yet won’t be lacking in style in a couple years time.

After taking measurements and choosing the carpet you want, you may want to have all the tools needed for carpet installation like: a sharp cutting instrument (for cutting carpet corners); duct tape to seal the seams; etc. If the room has doors, you may need someone to shave the bottom of the doors so that it won’t be abrasive to your newly installed carpets. And you should do this before you bring in the carpets.

The next step is to clean the intended floor area. Removing the old carpet is obvious, but you also need to vacuum and scrape off every last piece of debris and dirt. Clear the room of furniture and appliances as well to make installation easier. Use non-residual duct tapes to place the initial caret settings and try to stretch the carpet so that the wrinkles won’t be bothersome in the future.

For a free quote in the Raleigh/Triangle are, please call Raleigh Carpet Masters at 1.800.919.5859