Faq

Do you carry the manufacturer I’m looking for?

We carry most of the bigger and small manufacturers. It’s a long list from residential to commercial brands. Check our product page for a list of manufacturers or contact us to learn of the available products in our showroom or what we can order for you.

Do you have a shop at home service?

No we do not. Please make a store appointment to visit our large showroom to see all the samples!

Do I need an appointment to visit your showroom? COVID-19 UPDATE

Due to Covid-19 at this time all showroom visits, orders, and pick ups are by appointment only.  There is very limited walk in service available.  To avoid long wait times, please call to make an appointment.  Face masks must be worn while in the building.  As always, thank you for your support as we navigate this rapidly changing environment. We are open 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9am to 4pm.

Do you have insurance?

Yes we do and if required we can provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI). After placing your order and booking an installation please forward us your or your building’s specific COI requirements. We need at least 72 hours prior to installation to prepare a COI and get to your building to ensure all the requirements have been met.

Do you work in condos, coops, etc?

Yes we do. Before shopping for your carpet it’s good to become familiar with your building’s policies and requirements. Does your building require carpet? Do they have restrictions on when we can install? Do they require a COI? These are all things you should know so you can shop effectively. Some buildings require you cover your room with 80%-100% carpet and you want to make sure you follow accordingly so you don’t purchase the wrong thing.

Will you come to my area?

We go wherever our four wheels will take us. We service the tri-state area. There is however a trip charge and additional bridge/highway tolls if applicable for the installers travelling a long distance to compensate for fuel and time spent driving.

What rug fabrication/binding choices are available?

We currently have poly-binding, machine serging, and cotton binding available in house. There are additional fabrication options available direct from the manufacturers including hand serging, modern serging, cotton binding with mitered corners, and leather binding.

Will you install or fabricate carpet that I purchased elsewhere?

No, we do not for various reasons. We will not take responsibility for the material being damaged, running short, or any other issues. We only install or fabricate carpet purchased from our store.

Do you fix squeaky floors?

We do not fix squeaky floors as it is not part of the carpet installation process. You will want to arrange ahead of time with a contractor or handyman to have any squeaky floors repaired. That work should be done prior to scheduling your carpet installation.

Do you cut doors?

We do not cut doors. When selecting a carpet you may want to review the height of pad and carpet and whether you’ll need to have your doors cut.

How much will carpet help with noise?

Carpeting and padding will help absorb sound and improve acoustics in residential and commercial spaces, however it will not 100% solve any noise issues. Sound can still seep into the room from the walls, outlets, windows, etc. There are multiple factors involved. If you have noise issues, it is important to note that carpet will help but it may not solve your problem.

Will you remove and dispose of old carpet?

Yes, but we only remove and dispose of old carpet as part of a new flooring installation. In other words, we don’t go to jobs just to solely remove and dispose of old carpet. We do charge for removal and disposal. We will not dispose of your old carpet unless arrangements have been made prior. If you don’t pay for disposal we tie the old carpets in bundles and leave it where we are told to put the garbage.

What goes underneath the carpet?

We install padding underneath the carpet. We carry different types of pads from Leggett & Platt, Shaw, Mohawk, etc. We are happy to review the different types of padding when you visit the store. We recommend certain types of padding for certain carpets or subfloors which we review upon carpet selection.

Can we double up on padding?

No. We will not install carpet over double padding because the carpet can bunch and lift and this is an improper, unsafe installation. We have a variety of padding choices in our showroom that you can explore to fit your needs.

Do you give free estimates?

A free estimate is given in person at our store, provided we have measurements and product to quote and discuss the scope of your project. Extra charges may apply, such as moving furniture, floor prep, step labor, or installing in bathrooms. We do not quote prices over the phone without understanding the scope of work. If you would like to set up an appointment to measure, we do charge $50 for our estimator to measure (non-refundable) but this nominal fee is deductible from your purchase. After sending our estimator, we will have a full understanding of your project and be able to provide a quote.

How much will the installation cost?

The installation cost varies based on products you select and the scope of your project. Our estimator can visit the site to review for a nominal fee to review and measure the specifics of your job and then a sales associate will provide a final project cost, including material and labor.

How do I place an order?

Even with smartphones and computers, we still take orders in person at Carpet Time. The reason: We need to have a face to face conversation about the details of your project. If you’ve made an appointment to send an estimator and measured, you may proceed with an order if you don’t want to make an extra trip. We can email you an invoice and credit card authorization form where you can send a deposit to proceed.

How do I pay for my order?

We accept all forms of payment including cash, check, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). A 3% processing fee will be added to all credit card transactions.  We require a deposit to proceed with an order and the balance upon completion on residential projects. We do not offer financing or terms. If you have any questions, please contact your salesperson directly.

Do you charge sales tax?

Yes, we collect applicable sales tax for purchases made in New York and New Jersey. If you have a resale license or tax exemption certificate, you will be asked to verify your sales tax license or tax exemption certificate before placing your order.

I have a specific timeline. How far in advance should I order my carpet or flooring?

We recommend shopping at least two to three weeks prior to when you want your carpet installed. We carry a broad selection of carpet in stock that can be installed quickly, subject to our scheduling. If you are shopping for a special order product you will need more time as shipping lead times vary by manufacturer. Carpet shipping can take 7 business days or more. Back-ordered carpets can take longer and are subject to lead time from the manufacturer. Talk to you sales associate for the lead time on your flooring choice.

How quickly can you install?

Since we do not subcontract out our labor, lead time varies depending on our schedule, building restrictions, job location, and product availability. If you are purchasing a special order, we can install after it arrives in our warehouse. Your sales associate will let you know your specific timing based on what you’ve selected. Carpet stocked at our warehouse is ready for install immediately, assuming we have an installer available.

How long will my installation take?

This depends on many factors. Every job is unique and even a one bedroom could take a few hours. Factors such as whether the old carpet is being removed and furniture needs to be moved will significantly slow an installation. If your building only allows work during certain days and hours of the week, that will also slow us down. We don’t like to put a time limit on the work because we don’t feel an installation should be rushed. We want the final result to be done right.

What should I do to prepare for installation?

Before installation, we recommend the following: disconnect all cables from TV, computers, and/or other electronics. Remove small, breakable objects and valuables. Empty any bookshelves or wardrobes to make it easier to move furniture in and out of the room. For a complete list see our installation prep form. If you paid to have furniture moved, we will move the big stuff (sofas, beds, dressers). If you did not pay to have furniture moved, you must have the room completely empty prior to installation. Click here for a full guide to prep your space for installation.

Should I paint before the carpet is installed?

Ask your painter but in our opinion—yes. Accidents happen and it’s better that they happen on the old carpet. If you do paint first, make sure to save some paint and arrange for the painter to come back to touch up the baseboards and perhaps some spots on the walls. They can get scuffed up during carpet installation because we require tools to stretch the carpet that may touch the walls and baseboards. Paint, typically, takes thirty days to cure so during that period it is even more susceptible to damage. When walls or baseboards have been painted multiple times, they are also prone to chip or crack during carpet installation and may need to be touched up afterward. Also, if your new carpet is a different height than your old carpet you painter may not paint low enough and you will need to touch up. One solution may be to have the painter cut away the old carpet to paint.

Who will be installing the product?

Our installation is completed by our insured installers. Our installers are not sub-contractors and the entire team has worked directly for Carpet Time for many years. They’re more like family than co-workers or employees.

How much should I tip the installer?

Tipping is at your discretion and depends upon the satisfaction of the job we’ve done.

What if something is wrong after my installation?

Although we’ve been in business for over 30 years and have trained installers, we’re only human and we do occasionally make mistakes. The good news is that we don’t run away from them. Contact us at the store immediately and talk to your sales professional about the issue. It may be a simple fix that we can help troubleshoot.

Is there are a warranty on my carpet or flooring?

Carpet Time does not provide warranties on the product. The warranty comes from the manufacturer. There are three common types of carpet warranties given by the manufacturer: manufacturer’s warranty, wear warranty, and stain warranty. Manufacturers often hype up their warranties to make their carpet look the best but warranties are riddled with conditions and strict guidelines. No carpet is completely stain proof regardless of the magical marketing buzz words on the carpet sample. At the time of your carpet purchase, please ask for your carpet warranty info and familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s care guidelines. Manufacturers will not accept warranty claims unless you follow the correct installation guidelines, padding requirements, and post care requirements. This may seem overwhelming for a first time carpet buyer but ask us any questions and we’ll help you understand your options. We do not give warranties on our in-stock carpets and have a one year limited installation warranty.

Does my stair carpeting have a warranty?

Despite many manufacturers making promises about their carpet, it is very important for consumers to understand that no manufacturer warranties carpet installed on steps. We advise picking a carpet strong enough to handle the stair traffic for your specific project. Each residential and commercial project is different, depending if you want a commercial carpet on steps to handle more heavy duty traffic or a beautiful wool runner it’s important to understand that regardless of how little or how much you spend the manufacturer will not warranty the carpet.

I’m moving and want to install a stair runner in my new place, should I have it installed before or after I move?

We recommend installing your stair runner after the movers have brought in all the furniture. You don’t want the movers damaging or making your new stair runner carpet dirty.

How much wood should I show on either side of my stair runner?

It all depends on your personal preference. If a standard width 27” or 30” runner doesn’t work for your stairs, consider a customer runner made out of broadloom. A custom staircase runner is made to fit your staircase. There is no right or wrong answer but typically 3”-6” on each side looks great. We will help advise you on the best width for your runner and what is possible or not.

Does my stair carpeting have a warranty?

No manufacturer warranties carpet installed on steps. We advise picking a dense carpet strong enough to handle traffic walking up and down the stairs.