Every time I walk through a big-box store and see their selection of “low-cost” hardwood flooring, I get a bad feeling.
I start thinking about the people who buy this flooring. They think they’re getting a deal because they’re buying at a cheap per-square-foot price. But I know from my lifetime of working with hardwood floors that these folks are likely in for an unpleasant surprise.
The same is true of people who buy “budget” hardwood flooring online. It troubles me to think about how this buying decision will taint their experience with hardwood floors. They’re essentially trying to create their own customized hardwood floors, so their expectations are high—and I worry that they won’t be met.
I’m not even talking about the quality of the flooring, although that can be a significant issue with the pre-finished and engineered hardwood flooring on the big-box store shelves and the “bargain” websites. A lot of poor-quality products are being sold.
What really gets me is that—even if homeowners buy the best-quality flooring available in big-box stores or online—they’re missing out on the value of working with a full-service hardwood flooring company.
I know what you might be thinking: As the president of Ralph’s, of course I’d say working with a full-service hardwood flooring company is the way to go. So let me explain exactly what I mean.
The value we offer begins when you walk into our showroom or we visit your home to discuss your project. We’ll ask questions about the look you’re after, your lifestyle, your budget, and any other factors that will determine the best flooring for you. We’ll answer questions and offer advice as you make choices about hardwood floor characteristics such as species, finish, color, and plank dimensions—always listening to your vision for your dream floors.
Then we do the installation or refinishing. When you work with us, you have a one-stop solution: There’s no need to buy flooring one place and then hire an installer.
More importantly, you get the advantage of our highly skilled installation team, whose crew leaders average 15 years of experience. In our more than 50 years of serving northeast Wisconsin, we’ve built up a sizable amount of hardwood floor knowledge that’s shared among the entire team. Our installers are dedicated craftsmen who take tremendous pride in their work—or else they wouldn’t be employed by Ralph’s. They eagerly learn the expert installation techniques we’ve picked up over the years, and they all stay on top of the latest trends and techniques.
This knowledgeable installation is critical because the quality of installation plays a major role in the overall quality of the flooring. Poor installation can not only cause issues with appearance, it can negatively affect the floor’s durability.
Another benefit of working with us is that we have long-standing relationships with top architects, builders, and interior designers in the area. We’re used to working in concert with these professionals to get your floors done on budget and schedule—with a result that puts a huge smile on your face.
We may even be able to help you avoid hiring a specialty contractor to get just the look you’re after. We offer services such as installing base shoes in kitchens to match with cabinetry or installing tile or cork in a foyer or bathroom to blend with hardwood flooring. If you do need a specialty contractor, we can help you find the best.
All you need to do is stop by our showroom to get a feel for how we can help you get your dream floors, within your budget. That’s how you can get the best deal on hardwood floors. After all, there’s no sense in buying hardwood flooring that you’re not going to be satisfied with. What’s the savings in that?
Image courtesy of Tim Beverley
