Flooring, Installation & Remodeling FAQs for Baltimore Area Homeowners & Businesses
Welcome to Carpet Concepts’ all-in-one FAQ page. We’ve grouped the most common questions we hear in our Nottingham showroom and on job sites across Baltimore, Towson, Parkville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Bel Air, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Essex, and surrounding communities.
Need a fast answer? Book a free in-home measure or design consultation, or call our showroom during business hours.
General & Showroom
Q: Where are you located?
A: We’re in Nottingham, MD (Perry Hall area), serving the greater Baltimore region. Visit our showroom to see carpet, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), hardwood, tile, laminate, and custom area rug options. Free parking is available.
Q: Do I need an appointment to visit the showroom?
A: Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments ensure dedicated time with a flooring specialist or designer—especially helpful for larger projects or if you’re comparing multiple materials.
Q: Which brands do you carry?
A: We feature leading brands across categories (carpet, LVP, hardwood, tile). Ask us about pet-friendly, waterproof, kid-proof, and commercial-grade lines. If you have a brand in mind, let us know—we may already carry it or can source close equivalents.
Q: Do you offer free in-home estimates?
A: Yes. We provide complementary measures and written estimates. Your estimator can bring samples and advise on subfloor conditions, transition pieces, and baseboard/trim needs.
Products & Material Selection
Q: What flooring is best for homes with pets or kids?
A: For durability and easy cleanup, waterproof LVP and stain-resistant carpet lines are top choices. In high-traffic zones, consider textured or low-pile carpets and aluminum stair noses for added resilience.
Q: Hardwood vs. LVP, how do I choose?
A: Hardwood offers timeless value and can be refinished; LVP delivers water resistance and lower maintenance at a friendlier price point. Kitchens and basements often favor LVP; main living areas and bedrooms may lean hardwood or carpet depending on design goals.
Q: Can you create custom area rugs or stair runners?
A: Absolutely. We fabricate custom sizes, shapes, and edge bindings from your preferred carpet style, great for open floor plans, hallways, and stairs.
Q: Do you install tile for floors, backsplashes, and showers?
A: Yes. We handle floor tile, wall tile, backsplashes, and full wet-area builds (see the Custom Showers section below).
Q: Are your products environmentally friendly?
A: We offer low-VOC adhesives, Green Label Plus carpets, recycled-content pads, and sustainably sourced hardwoods. Ask to see product spec sheets for certifications.
Installation Process & Preparation
Q: What’s the typical timeline from purchase to installation?
A: In-stock carpets can often be installed in about 1–2 weeks. Special orders (custom colors, hardwood species, premium tile) may take 2–4+ weeks depending on supplier lead times.
Q: What should I do before installers arrive?
A: Clear smaller items and breakables; unplug electronics; empty closets if flooring is being replaced inside. We can move most standard furniture—let us know about pianos, aquariums, or oversized items so we can plan specialty handling.
Q: Will you remove and dispose of my old flooring?
A: Yes. We offer tear-out and eco-conscious disposal options for carpet, pad, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and tile. If you’d like to keep remnants for future patches or rugs, just tell your estimator.
Q: Do you handle subfloor repairs and leveling?
A: We inspect for squeaks, dips, moisture, and damaged OSB/plywood. Minor leveling/repairs can be completed during install. For significant issues, we’ll provide options and a revised estimate prior to proceeding.
Q: What about baseboards, quarter round, and transitions?
A: We supply and install transitions and trim as needed. Your estimate will specify profiles and finishes (e.g., T-mold, reducer, stair nose, Schluter for tile).
Q: How long before I can walk on the new floors?
A: Carpet can usually be walked on immediately after install. LVP/laminate is walkable right away; avoid wet mopping for 24–48 hours. Tile/grout and wet-area installs require cure time—your crew will provide exact guidance.
Custom Showers & Tub Surrounds
Q: Do you build custom tile showers and tub surrounds?
A: Yes. We design and build waterproofed showers and tub surrounds, including niches, benches, curbless entries, and linear drains. We use modern waterproofing systems (e.g., sheet or liquid membranes) for long-term performance.
Q: Can you help with design?
A: Our designers assist with layout, tile sizing, patterns, grout color, and trim/edge profiles. Bring photos and measurements; we can also coordinate with your contractor or remodeler.
Q: How long does a shower project take?
A: Typical timelines range 5–10 working days depending on demolition, plumbing work, niche/bench features, and tile format. Final timelines are confirmed at measure.
Q: Do you waterproof and slope pans to code?
A: Yes. We follow manufacturer specifications and local code for pan slope, membrane overlaps/seams, flood testing when applicable, and appropriate thinset/urethane grouts.
Q: Do you install heated floors?
A: Radiant heat mats can be installed beneath many tile floors (and in some LVP scenarios per manufacturer). Ask for a heat-compatible system at estimate time.
Commercial & Property Management
Q: Do you work with commercial clients?
A: Yes. We serve offices, retail, multi-family, education, and healthcare. We offer carpet tile, LVT, rubber, and porcelain with cove/flash details as needed.
Q: Can you bid from plans or perform walkthroughs?
A: We can bid from drawings/specs or schedule on-site assessments to verify substrate, moisture, and traffic patterns. Ask about after-hours or phased installs to minimize downtime.
Q: Do you offer maintenance plans?
A: Yes, quarterly/biannual programs for carpet and hard surfaces to preserve warranty coverage and appearance.
Pricing, Quotes & Financing
Q: How are quotes calculated?
A: Quotes include material, labor, pad/underlayment, transitions, trim, and standard furniture moving. Additional line items may include tear-out, subfloor repairs, stairs, specialty trims, or off-hour labor.
Q: What’s the price range for common projects?
A: Ballpark ranges vary by material and site conditions. Your estimator will provide a written proposal after measurement. We also publish seasonal pricing guides on our blog.
Q: Do you offer financing?
A: Yes—subject to credit approval. Ask about promotional terms, minimum purchase amounts, and how financing interacts with contractor/client discounts.
Q: Will you match a competitor’s quote?
A: We’ll review comparable, written proposals (same material model, pad/underlayment, and scope). If they’re truly equivalent, we’re happy to discuss price matching or value adds.
Scheduling, Lead Times & Access
Q: How far out are you scheduling?
A: Lead times fluctuate with seasonality and supplier logistics. Your consultant will share the earliest install dates at the time of purchase and update you if stock/ship dates change.
Q: Do I need to be home during installation?
A: We recommend someone be available at start and end of the day to answer questions, approve transitions/thresholds, and complete the walkthrough.
Q: What if my building requires COI or elevator reservations?
A: Let us know upfront. We can provide certificates of insurance and coordinate access windows for high-rises and managed properties.
Care, Cleaning & Maintenance
Q: How do I clean new carpet?
A: Vacuum regularly with the correct height setting. Blot spills immediately—avoid scrubbing. Schedule hot-water extraction per manufacturer intervals (often 12–18 months) to maintain appearance and warranty.
Q: How do I maintain LVP/laminate?
A: Sweep or vacuum (hard-floor setting) and damp-mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid steam and abrasive pads. Use felt pads under furniture and breathable rugs (no rubber-backed mats on some finishes).
Q: Tile & grout care tips?
A: Use pH-neutral cleaners; avoid bleach/ammonia on colored grout. Seal cementitious grout per schedule; epoxy/urethane grouts often require less maintenance.
Q: Can you repair scratches, stains, or buckling?
A: Many issues are fixable, individual plank/tile replacement, seam rework, stretching, or spot repairs. Send photos and we’ll advise next steps.
Warranties & Guarantees
Q: What warranties do you provide?
A: Manufacturer warranties vary by product line. We also offer a labor warranty on installation work. Your invoice documents both coverage terms and claim procedures.
Q: What voids a warranty?
A: Common issues include improper cleaning agents, unapproved chair casters, water intrusion, or DIY modifications. Follow care instructions and keep receipts for professional maintenance when required.
Local Service Areas
Q: Which areas do you serve?
A: We regularly work in Nottingham, Baltimore, Towson, Parkville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Essex, Bel Air, Pikesville, and Reisterstown. For projects slightly outside this list, ask—we often accommodate nearby communities.
Q: Do you offer in-building delivery and haul-away?
A: Yes—let us know about stairs/elevators, parking restrictions, or loading dock access so we can plan appropriately.
Policies (Returns, Remnants, Disposal)
Q: Can I return special-order materials?
A: Most special orders are non-returnable once ordered. We’ll confirm return eligibility and restocking fees before you sign off.
Q: Do you sell remnants?
A: Yes—great for small rooms, basements, and custom area rugs. Inventory changes weekly; call ahead for current sizes and styles.
Q: How do you handle leftover materials?
A: We label and leave reasonable overage at your home/business unless you prefer haul-away. Keep a piece for future repairs.
Helpful Resources & Next Steps
- Book a Free In-Home Measure (select preferred dates and add notes about rooms/subfloors)
- Visit the Showroom (bring photos, rough measurements, and inspiration links)
- Ask Us About Care & Maintenance Guides
- Commercial Bid Request (Contact us to share plans & project specs)