Shopping for carpeting can be a very confusing journey for many customers due to the difficulty in determining exactly what is included, or not included, in an advertised carpet price. There are many factors that can determine how carpet prices are quoted. 

        Many stores will price all items ala carte – meaning that they have a separate charge for each line item requested. Think of this method as having the work performed on a time and materials basis. This can be a very fair method of pricing for both the retailer and the consumer as both parties are both paying, and being paid for, only the goods and services that are agreed upon. The key word here is “agree”. The consumer should be sure that they understand what each individual line item represents. Also make sure that there is a firm total price that is stated in writing in advance of any work commencing. If not, a less than forthright dealer can often make both the “time” and the “materials” escalate as the job progresses. Occasionally there may be unforeseen situations that arise after an installation begins, such as subfloor repairs, etc. that could not be recognized until the existing flooring was removed. Just be sure that you maintain the right to be notified of, and approve, all changes to the original quotation before any additional work is performed.
 

Other stores will have an all inclusive pricing strategy. This means that rather than selling their goods on a line item basis as just described, they will quote their prices on an installed basis. While their pricing may initially appear to be higher, this method will usually include related sundries and supplies required to complete the job that others add on as additional charges. This pricing method is often the easiest for the novice buyer to understand as there are far less components to recognize. 

        Still another method is to quote an artificially low, or even “free”, offer for “basic installation”, “free pad”, “buy one room and get one room free”, etc. The first point to remember is that one should not be blinded by the offer of a low price for any given element of the total purchase. In order to recapture the value of what is being “given away”, retailers that price in this fashion often charge extra for anything and everything that they possibly can to cover these costs. This process can be very confusing by design. Be careful! Remember the old saying: “what the big print gives, the small print takes away!”
 

Keep in mind that you are shopping not only for product and price, but also for someone that you can trust to be in your home as well. Always factor this important element into your purchasing decision. You will be well served by doing so.
 

Remember there is only one price that matters – the final number that you will be asked to pay. How these computations are arrived at is largely unimportant. Just make sure that you ask yourself: Is this merchant being completely forthright and above board with me? Or are they hoping that I don’t look too closely at the fine print? 

        Too many stores seem to be betting on the latter. Don’t be a sucker! There are reputable flooring dealers in every market who believe in pricing their goods honestly and treating their customers fairly. They offer real value rather than just a come-on price, resulting in a carpeting investment that will both be sound today and for years to come.