Stone Deals guide to not getting ripped off…

We all hate being taken for a mug. That niggling feeling you get when you’re trying to fall asleep and you realise that you didn’t actually get the deal you wanted. Instead you paid more than you really wanted to. You start to blame it on everything but yourself -the fumy smell of new carpet in the shop overwhelmed you and made you act irrationally. your partner kept nagging and the only way you could stop them was to make a purchase, you felt sorry for the ‘apprentice wannabe’ sales person and thought you’d give them a break. There are many reasons we can give ourselves for overspending, but the reality is, can you really afford to make that mistake when it comes to a big purchase, like your next flooring?

Choosing flooring can be fun, but it can also be very boring. Here’s our guide to make sure you get what you really really want, at a price that won’t give you nightmares.

Rule Number One - Don’t look at flooring

Before you even start looking at flooring we recommend you make a list of what you really want from your flooring, ask yourself:

• What’s the foot traffic like in the room? is it a busy room, that has people passing through it all day, or is it a room that’s used very little.
• If you need a hard waring floor, as in it’s a busy room make a list of your favourite floor options, and vice versa if it’s for occasional use.
• Check what’s underneath your current flooring - so you know what you can install on it. Make a note so you can ask a sales Person later on.
• Check your runners and skirting boards- will they be effected by your choice of new flooring?
• Where does the light fall in your room - draw it on your plan later on. The sun will naturally make floorboards fade and can effect all forms of flooring. Make a note of if you have blinds or curtains and where the sun rises/sets.
• What equipment do you have in the room. For example if it’s for the kitchen, mark up where your fridge/ white goods go - will they need to eb supported by the floor or are they built it? Or if it’s for the living room where’s the TV, is it free-standing or a plasma that’s hung on the wall. Do your sofas have felt protective pads underneath?
• Do you have pets? Consider the effect that the new floor will have on them. Do they have long nails that could scratch o wooden floor?
• Do you have young children in the house that like to sit on the floor? How will you feel if they are sitting on cold floor all day -or are you considering underfloor heating?
• Are you going to just change the flooring, or are you redecorating the whole room? if you are bear in mind what colour scheme will work with your flooring.
• Do you see the floor as a long term investment or are you planning to move soon. Do you want it just to look nice until you sell it, or do you really want to add value to your home?

Rule Number Two - It’s the details that count

• Know the exact measurements of the size of the room that you need the flooring for. That means getting your tape measure out and drawing a floor plan. Even if you can’t work out the square meterage just make sure you know the actual sizes (lengths and widths). A good sales person will be able to help you work out the correct size of materials you need to buy.
• Detail the floor-plan. Draw in entrances, wardrobes, alcoves, anything that needs to be covered with the flooring.
• Mark on the plan, what rooms are next to the room you’re working on and what flooring they currently have in them. It may seem silly but it’s important.
• If you have swatches of your wallpaper, curtains or any other inspirations for the room take them with you so you make sure you find your perfect flooring.

Rule Number Three - Show me the money

• Floors cost money. They are a big part of your home that is worth spending money on. Depending on the floor you choose, there will be added costs that you meed to think about, underlay, installation, grouting, adhesive, runners, shaving down doors, all extra bits that cost money that you should bare in mind.
• Always ask what the price includes - does it cover the sub-floor preparation or the removal of an existing floor?
• Ask for the quote in writing so you can compare 2 or 3.
• Make sure your get the most for your money- ask for any special deals they have on, ask if you can have a discount - don’t be shy, if you don’t ask you don’t get.
• Try and get a product warranty or guarantee with your product.

Rule Number Four - Now you’ve got the floor what do you do with it?

• Finding people to install your floor can be hard, especially if it’s a speciality product like natural stone. Look up recommend and registered installers and make sure they are fully certified.
• Again, we recommend you get 2-3 quotes as prices can vary greatly when it comes to installation.
• If you’ve ordered from the interent make sure you check the prodcuts before you sign for them and check their returns policy as well.
• Is it a project you could do yourself? You could ask for installation guidelines and try and tackle it yourself.
• Don’t pay for the installation until you’re entirely happy with it.

For more great flooring tips visit www.stonedeals.co.uk