Replace Carpet or not?

[s0me0nesmind1]

So my spouse bought our house approx 7 years ago. It was brand new from the builders.

So essentially, everything is builders grade. Everything is essentially, crap - but I'm not about to throw away a crappy dishwasher just because I want a better one. However, for something like the carpet I have been considering replacing it.

At this point in our lives we simply don't like where we live. We are contemplating looking for new jobs, new opportunities, etc... that are outside of this city/state. So at SOME point in the near future (1 Year? 3 Years? Who knows), we are planning on moving. Even if we don't get a new job outside the city we would (at the very least) move to a better house within the city we live in.

That said, we're at a point now that the carpet is starting to look pretty shitty. Occasional stain in every room, and the carpet that gets the most steps is simply flat and obvious that it's used. That said, I'm debating replacing it for a couple reasons:

1) We would enjoy things better if we had nicer carpet, no stains, easier to get stains out than builders grade, etc....
2) I look at it that it is INEVITABLE that we will need to replace it before we try to sell the house when we want to move. So why not put the carpet in now and enjoy it a little?
3) Anyone that has bought carpet - Can you tell me the pro's/con's of buying aftermarket vs. builders grade? Is it a night and day difference? Or a "Meh, yeah, it's better I guess"?

 

[highland145]

If you're gonna sell, how about allow x dollars so the new buyers can get what they want instead of your opinion? "Hey, we can get fuchsia or bamboo...win."

 

[NetWareHead]

2) I look at it that it is INEVITABLE that we will need to replace it before we try to sell the house when we want to move. So why not put the carpet in now and enjoy it a little?
3) Anyone that has bought carpet - Can you tell me the pro's/con's of buying aftermarket vs. builders grade? Is it a night and day difference? Or a "Meh, yeah, it's better I guess"?

I have ten + year old carpet in a rental apartment. I used to live in this unit so when I renovated it, I put in good quality textile for myself. It is a high pile carpet that does not compress down easily and has stain blocker built in to the fabric. I took great care of it when I lived there for 6 years. When I began renting it, I steam cleaned the carpets after every tenant. My current tenant is a neat freak and professionally cleans the rugs twice a year.

My point is that if you invest in higher quality carpets AND take care of them, they will last a long time. I am quite amazed that the carpeting has lasted so long as part of a rental and looks and feels great. Even my tenant was semi-shocked when I told hm the age of the carpeting and has had no complaints. I wish I could remember the brand and type of rug but I got it from home depot.

IMO, if you choose to upgrade the carpeting before a home sale, put in the minimum and dont invest in quality. Done put something obviously poor quality and cheap because that will be discernible to buyers.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I have ten + year old carpet in a rental apartment. I used to live in this unit so when I renovated it, I put in good quality textile for myself. It is a high pile carpet that does not compress down easily and has stain blocker built in to the fabric. I took great care of it when I lived there for 6 years. When I began renting it, I steam cleaned the carpets after every tenant. My current tenant is a neat freak and professionally cleans the rugs twice a year.

My point is that if you invest in higher quality carpets AND take care of them, they will last a long time. I am quite amazed that the carpeting has lasted so long as part of a rental and looks and feels great. Even my tenant was semi-shocked when I told hm the age of the carpeting and has had no complaints. I wish I could remember the brand and type of rug but I got it from home depot.

IMO, if you choose to upgrade the carpeting before a home sale, put in the minimum and dont invest in quality. Done put something obviously poor quality and cheap because that will be discernible to buyers.

Thanks for the advice, do you have a ballpark on the cost of the carpet + installation that you did? Our 1st floor is all hardwood + tile, so no worries there - we only want to do our stairs + upstairs.

 

[NetWareHead]

Thanks for the advice, do you have a ballpark on the cost of the carpet + installation that you did? Our 1st floor is all hardwood + tile, so no worries there - we only want to do our stairs + upstairs.

It had to be competitive if installed through home depot. It was long ago and cannot remember the labor cost.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

If you're gonna sell, how about allow x dollars so the new buyers can get what they want instead of your opinion? "Hey, we can get fuchsia or bamboo...win."

Assuming you can deal with an ok carpet this is the way to go. New carpet for a home sale is a near zero gain. Too many variables or someone like me who hates carpet or even someone with allergies.

 

[jtvang125]

We are pretty much in the same shoes. Bought the house about 5 yrs ago with my brother and the wife moved in a little more than a year ago. We're not sure how much longer we're staying but felt the carpet should be replaced. The bedrooms are ok but the stairs and walk way are terrible. We are thinking of doing the living room too cause the laminate was damaged by a water leak. We've only got one official quote so far and they gave us $2520 to fix the squeaking floorboards and demo the laminate. I know little to nothing about carpet but was told the carpet we chose was going for $19/sq yd. A little higher than we budgeted for but most of the stuff cheaper than this just felt too cheap and rough to the touch. We'll get a few more quotes before deciding.