Laminate flooring - find independent fitter OR buy from shop with fitter included e.g. Carpetright?

[TaraLight]

Hi All,

After many months reflection, I have decided to go ahead with laminate flooring.

I am undecided whether to go to a shop which sells laminate and do the whole thing from ordering to arranging fitting there, OR instead buy laminate separately and go to an independent laminate fitter e.g. one recommended from Checkatrader.

The shop route I would imagine would be simpler as it includes the whole process, and it might be easier to sort out problems if they arose.

However, an independent might be better value, better quality and also you might even get better advice?

I just can't decide.

Anyone had experience of this and what to do for the best?

Thanks so much.

It's up to you really, but we choose independant and bought our own materials. The main reason was we found comparably that the fitting cost was lower, we could buy the laminate at the best price on the best sale and lastly we could properly check reviews of the fitter. My worst fear was not knowing who you are ending up with and if they are actually any good!

We use an independent because he guaranteed the materials AND the fitting
If yiu buy it yourself and get a fitter and there’s an issue you could be stuck in the middle of an argument between the fitter and the supplier.
Our fitter doesn’t have a shop but I told him what I wanted and my budget and he sorted it

Hey, that was fast! Thanks.

I’ve never used an independent fitter - no real reason why apart from that Carpetright seemed so much simpler- bought the carpet with them, fitted it with underlay, carved down the doors, replaced the metal bits between rooms, took away the old carpet. 3 rooms (inc hallway and stairs) done and dusted while I was at work.

I had no issues with carpetright and will use them again when I finish the rest of the house. Obviously each service adds a notch more to cost (e.g door carving was £15 per door) but like I say I left at 7:30 and when I returned at 5 everything was done completely sorted and I’ve had no issues with my carpet quality or anything. I know this shop hires independent fitters to do their jobs. Take with that what you will, that’s my own experience.
Cost wise £1800 approx for 2 large rooms and a hallway stairs landing

Anyone but carpet right- total overpriced rip off. We used a combination of Tapi and their fitters and for real wood bought it ourselves and independents.

There have been some horror stories on here about carpet right

You know what I remember reading some of the carpetright horror stories on here after ide paid for mine and thinking shiiiiiit......but like I say I had no issues and I’m not sure how my pricing was on par with others.
I think there’s a lot of variable. My local independent flooring shop missed measuring appointments twice, then never emailed my quotes, then when I chose some didn’t ever come back with a final cost despite promises. Hence why I took my business elsewhere. That’s not to say that there fitter would have been bad

Got a few quotes from the companies and independents and go with your gut is what I say

We used a local independent shop. Their fitters were the best local fitters and came st s good price due to the shop link. The floor itself was a bit more per m2 but easily cancelled out by the fitting.

Anyone but carpetwrong - they make it sound so easy - but there fitters are subcontractors - which really should not be a problem - but you pay upfront for flooring and seperately for fitting - then when things go wrong they both have your money and they blame the fitter and he blames them

The poster above is so right, this situation happen to me.

Tapi carpets are exactly the same as carpet right in fact the business was set up by the same family that set up carpet right. They run exactly the same business model
I would personally just look around till I found the flooring I wanted and go from there.

Thank you all for your input and advice.

Having thought more, I probably will go to a couple of independents for quotes and advice. I'll look on Checkatrader to start with.

As far as Carpetright are concerned (and I agree ohmy that Tapi has probably the same business model, and isn't it even more expensive?!) I've had a mixed experience in the past, so was unsure.

I had some lino put down in the bathroom and kitchen by them. It was good quality and was fitted very well. However, the lino in the kitchen was completely unsuitable - it was expensive and thick and soft - and as a result I can't move any white goods easily without tearing it! I should have got something much "harder" and tougher on the surface for the kitchen.

I think I got poor advice from Carpetright on this. He was a general "salesman" (probably selling cars the previous month) so he didn't know all that much and could offer little advice, despite my requests. I am sure other Carpetright salespeople are more knowledgeable but this was an expensive mistake. Hence why I'm being even more cautious this time.

We have just had our flooring fitted from Carpetright, 6 months after ordering it. We are happy with it so far but the chain of problems and poor customer service will mean we will never use them again. We went with them because of the interest free credit option. As it happens we have half paid for it before actually seeing it in place and couldn't get out of the deal without a battle. Go with an independent fitter IMO.

If you do go the carpetright route, pay by credit card. They were almost in administration last year, and with the high street being the way it is, there is always the potential for them to collapse.