"Where Should I Buy My Hardwood Flooring?"
When it comes to where you pick up your hardwood flooring, you have several options. Here are a few:
- hardwood floor retail specialist – these are a good bet because of their experience and knowledge, but are not necessarily for the budget-conscious. Be sure to shop around.
- “big box” store – they carry some decent products; however, we sometimes have customers who complain that their installation estimates are confusing and end up costing more than they’d expected.
- on-line – this may be your cheapest option, but it does come with some risks. If you run short of wood, for example, it can take a lot of time to get more. In addition, you don’t have a consultant right there who can help you with any problems you may have. With shipping costs, you may not save as much as you anticipate.
- discount flooring store – this is a good choice for the budget conscious. Their prices are generally as good as you will find (even on the internet) because they live in low-rent locations. The FloorMan frequently works with Lumber Liquidators, a reputable outfit.
- wholesalers (i.e. ProSource) – they tend to have the widest selection of products and are price-competitive. They can also locate products you might not find elsewhere. They are open to “the trade” only, so you need an introduction, i.e. from your interior designer or your FloorMan.
T
he most important thing is to get the floor that you like and want to live with.
And, of course, make sure it is a quality product. Check warranties and how long it is likely to be in stock. If there is doubt about the product line being continued, you might buy some extra for any needed repairs in the future.
Check with your installer about the quality of a hardwood flooring product if you have any doubts.
