Heard a guy in the hardware store say carpet is 'dead', almost dropped my seam iron

So I'm grabbing some tack strip at the big box store yesterday and this younger guy is talking to his buddy, saying nobody wants carpet anymore, it's all hardwood and LVP now. I just stood there for a second. I've been installing for 17 years, mostly residential in the Columbus area, and yeah I've seen more vinyl planks go in lately, but I finished a 2,400 sq ft broadloom job last week for a family with three kids and a dog. They practically hugged me when I was done. I didn't say anything to the guy, but it got me thinking about how much of this trade is word of mouth and repeat customers who just want something soft to land on. Is anyone else out there still getting steady carpet work, or is it really slowing down outside of basements and bedrooms? Just curious what you all are seeing in your markets.

2 comments

2 Comments

grays131mo ago

My buddy down in Cincinnati does carpet cleaning and install on the side. Last month he had a call from a lady who wanted wall to wall in her living room because her toddler kept face planting on the laminate. He said it was the easiest sale he'd had all year. She even paid extra for the thick pad. I think the big box crowd talks loud, but the people actually paying for comfort are still calling us.

sage_green1mo ago

Ha, I tripped over my own dog on our hardwood last week, so I get it, that lady's smarter than me, lol.