If it’s New Year, New Carpet, you may have already had a good look around online to see what is available. Last week, we covered some top tips for laying the groundworks that you can make an informed choice on the right carpet for your needs. This week, we take a closer look at how you can save a little bit of money during the process.
Whilst buying a carpet is a big investment, there are ways that you can save money. These include:
- Making the most of the offcuts. Most carpet comes in rolls that are four or five metres wide. So, if you have a room that is three metres wide and three metres long, it might cost you almost the same to carpet as a room that is four or five metres wide and three metres long – because the same amount will need to be cut off the roll. If you do have large amounts of offcuts, you can use these to make rugs or mats. They can be great for lining cupboards, and can also be bound at the edges and used as mats in areas of heavy footfall to protect the main carpet.
- Picking the right time. Winter usually sees lower carpet prices and you can grab some bargains in the January sales. Take a good look around at the options and take the time to compare different prices.
- Getting a good deal. Most carpet places have some leeway in terms of pricing. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, especially if you have seen something similar somewhere else for cheaper.
- Reuse what you can. Reusing existing hardware isn’t just good for the environment, it is great for your wallet, too. By reusing door trims and gripper rods you can save on accessories.
- Look for offcuts. If your room is on the narrow side or an unusual shape, you may just get lucky and find offcuts from a different job, where the client didn’t want to keep the leftovers. These will usually be cheaper. Take a scale drawing of the room that you want carpeted so that you can enquire when you’re browsing.
- Keep an eye out for discontinued stock. Unless you have a burning desire to have the most up to date styles, you may be able to save some money by choosing limited or discontinued stock. If you can’t see anything on the shop floor, don’t be afraid to ask the specialist if they have anything in their warehouse; they may have moved old stock out to make space for the new.
If you are looking for the perfect carpet to give your home a new lease of life, get in touch with a local flooring and carpet specialist. For more information on home improvements and maintenance, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or Twitter.