The importance of an experienced estimator
Whether you are buying for your home, business, or commercial space the importance of an experienced and skilled estimator should not be underestimated. While there are plenty of people who prefer the DIY option or use online tools to help them estimate what they need before they start looking for a provider, this could end up being a costly mistake and here is why:
How flooring materials are sold
Carpets and vinyl are available in rolls of a particular width while tiles, laminate, wood, and vinyl tiles come in packs of various shapes and sizes. Therefore the type and size of pack will vary not only according to the size of room that you wish to re-floor but also the type of flooring that you wish to use. Getting it wrong at the estimation stage could end up being a very costly mistake as it may be necessary to re-order large amounts of materials; alternatively it could mean the fitters spending much longer to cut and lay your new flooring if the shape or size of rolls or tiles is not quite right.
What you need to measure
It’s easy to think only of the immediately visible surface area that you wish to re-lay. If you have done this before you may have the experience of taking into consideration doorways as well. An experienced estimator will also know to take into account any drop backs or bay windows you may have in your room and when it comes to stairs they will know to carefully measure the riser as well as the tread and width of your stairs. In older properties the stairs may not be identical in size and shape so there may be variations in tread and riser areas and so it may not be as simple as measuring one and multiplying by the number of stairs you have. The golden rule is to measure twice, more if the space is particularly tricky or has lots of nooks and crannies that need to be taken into consideration. Our motto is ‘measure twice, cut once’.
Feet or metres?
It may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how often people get it wrong. Getting your units right, and getting them to match those used by manufacturers, is fundamental. You could easily end up under- or over ordering by using the wrong units.
Adding value
An experienced estimator will have done it all before – numerous times. They will know the intricacies of each type of flooring and be able to advise accordingly when it comes to how much to order and in what form materials will come which will be a consideration in calculating the final amounts required. Their experience will help save you money by being more precise as well as offering advice on what the best flooring type may be if you are still in two minds about what you want.
To get it right the first time, give our Cherry Carpets team of experienced estimators a call on 020 8249 9726 or send us an email at and we will get you an accurate quote.