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Carpet
Cost vs. Longevity Chart
by
Alan
Fletcher - Carpet expert and consumer advocate
carpet cost, carpet longevity, carpet prices, carpet selection, carpet dealer prices, cost of carpet
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How Much Should I Spend on New
Carpet?
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What Grade of Carpet Should I Select?
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How Do I Get the Best Carpet Deal?
By Alan Fletcher - Carpet
Expert and Consumer Advocate
__________________________________________
What
Grade of Carpet Should I Buy?
If you want to be
successful at buying the right carpet for your needs and goals, you must
choose a Carpet that is capable of withstanding your Level
of Foot Traffic for the length of time you desire. This simple test
will help you determine the level of foot traffic you have in your home.
To
determine your Carpet Foot Traffic Score answer the following
questions and add up your points:
1.
How many adults live in your home?
·
Each adult
(add 6 points for each adult)
_________
2.
Do you have active children or teenagers?
·
Each Child under 13 (add
4 points for each child)
·
Each Teenager
(add 7 points for each teen)
_________
3. Do you have indoor pets?
·
Each Small pet
(add 3 points each small pet)
·
Each large pet
(add 5 points each large pet)
_________
4.
Do you entertain or have grandchildren?
·
Entertain often
(add 6 points)
·
Grandchildren often
(add 4 points)
_________
5.
How often do you vacuum thoroughly?
·
Once a week (add
5 points)
·
Twice a week (add
3 points)
·
Three times a week (add
1 points)
·
Every day
(add 0 Points)
_________
6.
How often do you have your carpets professionally cleaned?
·
Every 18 to 24 months
(add 0 points)
·
Every third year
(add 4 points)
·
Never
(add 20 points)
_________
7.
How large is your home?
·
1000 square feet or less
(add 6 points)
·
1500 sf.
(add 4 points)
·
2000 sf.
(add 2 points)
·
2500+ sf.
(add 0 points)
_________
Add
Up Your Points
………………………………………………………..
______
Scoring
6 to 25 points = Low
Traffic
26 to 35
points = Medium Traffic
36 to 45 points = Moderate
Traffic
46 points & up = Heavy
Traffic
©2012
Alan J. Fletcher - Carpet Expert & Consumer Advocate. Disclaimer: Use at
your own risk.
________________________________________________________________________________
Now that
you have a good idea about your own level of foot traffic....
Now
you need to answer
this important question...
How Long Do You
Want Your New Carpet to Last?
Carpet Cost vs. Carpet Longevity. A Guide for Homeowners
Choosing
the right Carpet is not as easy as most homeowners think. There
are thousands of different carpet styles, grades and quality levels to
choose from. The trick is in knowing how to choose the right grade of carpet
that is capable of tolerating your unique Level
of Foot Traffic in your home, for
the length of time you require!
For example, if you want your new carpet to
last 15 years or more, you’ll need to buy a higher grade of carpet than if
you want your new carpet to last for just 5 or 10 years. Higher quality
carpets are more durable because of the materials used in construction and
are designed to last considerably longer - if properly maintained.
To
correctly use my Carpet Cost vs Longevity Chart, simply cross
reference your Level of Foot Traffic with the Number
of Years you want your new carpet to last. The intersecting number is
the approximate cost per square yard (or square foot) you might need to pay
for a Carpet that is designed to meet your needs and goals.
For
example, if your home has Medium
Foot Traffic and you want your carpet to Last
10 Years - According to my chart - you can expect to pay approximately
$25 per square yard for the right grade of carpet for you.
Total job
cost including Carpet, padding and installation can only be determined by a
free in-home measure and evaluation.
Carpet
Cost vs. Longevity Chart
Estimated Prices shown are for the Carpet only.
Padding & Carpet Installation are usually extra.
|
Estimated Cost
Per
Square
Yard
/
Square
Foot
|
Low
Foot Traffic
|
Medium
Traffic
|
Moderate
Traffic
|
Heavy
Foot
Traffic
|
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Carpet
Last 5 Years
|
$15
/ 1.66
|
$20
/ 2.22
|
$25
/ 2.78
|
$30
/ 3.33
|
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Carpet
Last 10 Years
|
$20
/ 2.22
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$25
/ 2.78
|
$30
/ 3.33
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$35
/ 3.88
|
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Carpet
Last 15 Years
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$25
/ 2.78
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$30
/ 3.33
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$35
/ 3.88
|
$40
/ 4.44
|
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Carpet
Last 20 Years
|
$30
/ 3.33
|
$35
/ 3.88
|
$40
/ 4.44
|
$45
/ 5.00
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Most
homeowners experience some degree of "sticker shock" when they
discover how much new carpet is going to cost. You might need to save up
more money before you purchase new carpet or perhaps you might consider
completing your new carpet project in two or more stages. However, you
should never settle for a lower grade of carpet that cannot handle your
level of foot traffic!
Where to buy carpet? See who I
recommend near you!
©2012 Alan J. Fletcher - Carpet Expert &
Consumer Advocate. Disclaimer: No warranties expressed or implied. Use at
your own risk.
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Written by Alan J. Fletcher
- 136 pages, updated & revised annually