Home Depot Review for April 2024 | Best Flooring Companies

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Home Depot Review

Thursday, April 25th

2024 Flooring Company Reviews

Home Depot Review 3 Star Rating

Home Depot

3 Star Rating
  • Flexible 90-day return policy on most items
  • Free carpet installation on orders over $699
  • In-store pickup offered

A staple in the home-improvement retail market, a Home Depot can be found in almost every major city, and is a staple for those in need of a quick home-improvement fix, hardware, or cleaning/maintenance supplies. As reader's may well know, the cost of flooring has significantly increased during the pandemic, which is reflected in the offerings of major retailers. In any case, here's what we've found about Home Depot's selection and policies regarding flooring.

Great selection of products

Home Depot's flooring is just as almost as extensive as our highest-rated online only retailers, but it is respectable, nonetheless. With offerings of tile, laminate, hardwood, vinyl, carpet, garage, and high-impact gym flooring, Home Depot is more than likely to have what you need. In addition, Home Depot features frequent sales and weekly specials, which may add some extra value to your order.

Overwhelming website

While their products are all-in-all faultless on the front-end, their website makes it rather difficult to actually browse and compare products. The guiding ethos of most major retailers-it seems-is to overwhelm customers into submission with popups, frequent eye catching "deals" with huge windows, and nonsensical organization; in short, Home Depot's website mars the experience of actually finding and comparing their products in a meaningful manner.

Good return policy

One of the biggest pluses to purchasing through Home Depot is their generous and easy to access return policy. To return, one need simply bring your purchased merchandise to a Home-Depot store within 90 days of purchase, they will find your order number, and they'll swap your purchase for cash, a similar item, or in-store credit. Should you desire, Home-Depot also supports returning online as well. The ease and flexibility of Home-Depot's return policy is quite frankly just better than their online-only competitors, and goes a long way towards increasing their score in our estimation.

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Flexible Shipping

Home Depot's physical locations provide some excellent flexibility in regards to shipping as well, allowing you to simply pick up from the store for free, and save a chunk of change on what otherwise could have been rather expensive shipping costs, depending on the size of your order. Otherwise, shipping is charged at a flat $5 rate, or more depending on the size of your order, and whether you choose expedited or an alternate shipping option.

Subpar subcontractors

While Home Depot's competitive pricing and in-store pickup and service are undeniable pluses, there are a large number of negative reviews regarding installation with Home Depot. While they maintain their "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau, their overall customer satisfaction on the same website is 1.12/5 based on 2,735 reviews. The overwhelmingly negative complaints tend to involve problems with installation: either it was done poorly, or in such a way that it damaged existing structures in the home (as in faulty appliance installation). Either way, it seems that-if customer testimony is anything to go by (and we think it is)--don't use Home Depot to install your flooring, even if you end up purchasing it through them.

Good value, poor service

All in all, Home Depot can offer some great value to you through the simple fact that they have a storefront: you can pick up there, return there, and even talk to employees in person. Coupled with the fact that Home-Depot offers some how-to's on installation, they are a good option to pick up the needed materials for some floor renovation. However, reviews regarding Home-Depot's installation options are almost overwhelmingly poor, so while the economy-of-scale can help you out when taking advantage of shipping/returns, perhaps look elsewhere if you need someone to install the flooring for you.

Where Can You Find the Best Flooring Retailers Online?

Online flooring companies have gained popularity as excellent places to buy flooring due to several compelling reasons. First and foremost, these platforms offer an extensive selection of flooring options, encompassing various materials, styles, colors, and patterns. This vast diversity provides customers with a broad spectrum of choices, allowing them to find the perfect flooring solution to match their specific needs and preferences.

While many flooring companies attest to the quality and care they place in their product, not all are created equal. We've winnowed the wheat from the chaff to find not only the best out there, but to offer a few helpful tips for you as well.

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Flooring Company FAQ

Flooring offers so many options, from traditional wall-to-wall carpeting to newer materials like bamboo. Other popular flooring types are laminate, tile, ceramic, hardwood, engineered hardwood, and vinyl.
That's a great question. Your first consideration is probably location: you wouldn't want carpet in a kitchen or bathroom, for example! Think about the type of use you anticipate having in that room. Next, decide how durable you need your flooring to be; this is especially important in high-traffic areas and if you have pets whose nails might damage easily-scratched flooring types. And, of course, you can't forget aesthetic appeal and budget!
The answer is obvious: you want to have as many options as possible to choose from, and you want the best price. Buying your flooring through an online retailer gives you both - with the added advantage of not dealing with a pushy salesperson in your home or at the store.
Quite often, yes. If you're buying from a retailer that is strictly internet-based, they don't have the overhead of a brick-and-mortar store and so they pass the savings along to you. Even with shipping/delivery costs, you'll likely save a significant amount of money when compared with local flooring stores.
No! That's certainly an option, but you can always hire a professional to install the materials you've purchased.
The best measurements are done by an expert, no surprise there. Believe it or not, some online flooring companies will send out a certified flooring consultant or estimator to take measurements - for free! If you already have an installer lined up, you can also ask if they'll do the measuring before you place the order. Otherwise, most online flooring websites have plenty of how-tos to measure the area on your own and determine how much you'll need in order to cover the space. (Expect that there will be a certain amount of extra product, since you can't usually order the precise quantity of materials to finish the job.)
Absolutely! Most companies have help lines you can call, email or live chat to get answers to all of your flooring-related questions. You can get recommendations for the type of flooring you're considering, find out what tools you'll need to install it yourself, or any other information you need before - and after! - placing your order.
Most of the time, yes, but with certain restrictions. You can usually return and get a refund for any unopened items, like a full box of ceramic tile or hardwood planks. Some retailers will charge a restocking fee, and you could be on the hook for return shipping fees if the flooring store doesn't have a brick-and-mortar location near you.
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Continued from above...

Following the many supply chain issues of the pandemic, lumber (and building materials more generally) can be more expensive than ever. If you're going to be spending the money to renovate your home, or require bulk flooring for your business or a specific project, then you want to be sure as to not only the quality of the product, but the support you'll receive as a customer.

Though vinyl seems to be all the rage these days - many of us are familiar with the "landlord special" of flat white paint and lowest-cost gray vinyl - the best flooring companies today offer multiple potential installations for your home, from glossy laminate to luxurious hardwoods, tile, and even specialty floors such as high-impact gym floors and cork.

While shipping is important for all online retailers, it is especially important for flooring, as costs can often balloon simply due to the weight of materials you order. Many large retailers offer on-site pick-up or store delivery, and that can help you save a significant amount if you have the space to haul your order from the store to your home or renovation site. In short, be sure to check shipping costs for each supplier before you order, and also keep in mind that if shipping is advertised as "free" , they may be more than making up for it in the actual cost of the boards.

Convenience is another standout feature of online flooring companies. You can browse and purchase flooring materials from the comfort of your own home, eliminating the need for time-consuming visits to traditional stores. This convenience is particularly advantageous for individuals with busy schedules or those who may not have easy access to local flooring retailers.

Moreover, online flooring companies often offer competitive pricing. Lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores enable them to provide cost-effective options to customers. Additionally, many online retailers frequently feature discounts, promotions, or bundle deals that can result in significant savings for buyers.

One specific thing to watch out for when buying flooring online is this: some less-than-reputable retailers will disguise high-pressure sales pitches as informative "consultations" to get you to order overpriced materials. In short, an ounce of research is worth a pound down the line.

So, what can you use to decide which online flooring retailer is going to be your best bet? There are a lot of them out there, and it can get overwhelming quickly. Here are some criteria that can make the experience a little more worry-free:

  • Variety: The more types of flooring a retailer carries, the more likely you are to find what you've got in mind. Look for a store that has multiple options of the flooring type you're considering, spanning several brands and color choices.
  • Installation: Many major flooring retailers offer installation, but keep in mind this installation can vary in terms of quality. If you aren't installing the flooring yourself, take some time to look into who the retailer contracts to do the work and see if there's any customer feedback there.
  • Educational materials: The best retailers on our list offer how-to guides and educational materials on almost every element of flooring. If you are buying and/or looking to install yourself and don't know where to start, the free buying and care guides provided can be an excellent resource.
  • Returns: It's no surprise that things can go wrong with flooring. It can get left in a warehouse too long and warp/crack, it can come with manufacturing defects in the boards, or maybe they don't even ship you the right materials. Be sure you know your retailer's return policy before you click the "place order" button. If you might need to take advantage of returns and have a large order, inspect your boards on delivery, and be sure to note any defects when signing the proof of delivery form. Doing so will help you take advantage of your return in the long run.

Flooring can be a significant expense for your business or home renovation, so it pays to find a good, reliable supplier who works with you when something goes wrong. Top Consumer Reviews has done the legwork to find the most reputable flooring retailers out there today, and we're confident that this research will be helpful as you decide where to spend your hard-earned cash on new flooring!

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