In the market for new flooring? Here is what local experts say you should know.
The world of flooring is ripe with variety, and flooring consultant Mike Hyde at Carpet One of Rochester is a leader among the experts. If Mike’s not helping customers on the floor, he’s in his office where, behind a desk littered with blueprints and surrounded by mock-ups for customers, he applies his expertise. We recently caught up with Mike and his colleague, Cindy Wills. They shared a few tips to make sure your flooring-buying process goes as smoothly as possible.
Come ready to answer some questions.
Their expertise can make quick work of a large task: finding what you’re really looking for.
“People are surprised how fast we can streamline the process,” says Mike. “You can narrow it down quite quickly if you ask the right questions.”
Things like why the client is looking at new flooring, how long they hope it will last, all the way to logistical concerns like floor-space and furniture restrictions.
Carpet One flooring consultant Cindy Wills
“A typical initial visit may begin with, ‘Let me make a copy of your floor plan and join me in my office.’ As we sit and visit, what they don’t know is, I’m interviewing them — learning about their needs, wants, and style,” explains Cindy. “At this point I will probably say, ‘Okay, let me show you a couple things that I think may work for you.’”
Know that things have changed.
“A lot of times, clients are surprised by how much there is to choose from. I mean, we have a lot of product choices,” says Mike.
Carpet One is stocked with traditional carpet and tile, but also provides hand-scraped hardwood, ceramic tile, laminate, luxury vinyl tile, luxury vinyl planking, and luxury vinyl sheeting. Those vinyl surfaces are experiencing a spike in popularity right now, too, for a surprising reason.
“I think people are really surprised at the authenticity of it,” adds Mike. “A lot of the products that aren’t real wood or tile really have an authentic look and feel due to the texture, grain, and HD imaging.”
Take a look at the in-stock items.
“Our biggest asset is our selection. We have an extensive and diverse selection,” explains Mike.
The thousands of in-store carpet and flooring options are where you’ll find first-hand preferences, but also where you’ll find some of the best value for your materials.
Carpet One flooring consultant Mike Hyde
“We stock a lot of products. They are a go-to for us if people are trying to get more value,” Mike says. “Those products that we stock, we buy several rolls at a time, we get better pricing from the mill, therefor we can transfer those savings on to our customers.”
Take advantage of a free estimate.
“Many people have no idea how much flooring costs,” says Cindy.
Clients will often arrive at Carpet One with an over-inflated estimate for the job they envision. If you’re serious about upgrading your floors and don’t want to play mental estimator, schedule a home estimate.
“That’s a free service we provide,” explains Mike. “Getting an estimate done, having us out to your home, that’s huge. We can plug a realistic number in and give you a sense of what to expect cost-wise.”
Published in partnership with Carpet One of Rochester
Photography by William Forsman
