If they answer that they prefer the look of timber flooring, but the space is in fact a busy office environment, you can guide the client towards carpet as a better option for its acoustic qualities. They may prefer timber or other hard flooring because they think it will be more durable than carpet. In which case, you can assure them that commercial carpeting is highly durable if well-maintained.
This will determine many factors, such as the grade of carpet you can recommend and whether you should guide the client towards wall to wall carpet or carpet tiles.
How long the client is able to vacate the premises will also be crucial to the final flooring decision. If only a very short period of downtime is doable then carpet tiles may be the client’s only option. Make sure the client knows exactly how long the actual installation will take, as well as any periods before and after installation when the space needs to be vacant for acclimatisation beforehand and ventilation afterwards.
If wall to wall carpet would be appropriate then let the client know that you can provide a custom design if desired. Of course, you don’t design this yourself but you know that your custom carpet supplier has an in-house design service that will work with you or the client to achieve the client’s desired effect. Alert the client to the fact that the delivery lead time may be a little longer than for a standard design.
You will need to determine all the heaviest use foot traffic routes in the space and explain to the client that a suitably rated carpet needs to be specified for these areas, as well as for areas with castor chairs in use.
The areas with the heaviest foot traffic will also attract the most soiling during daily use. Now’s the time to recommend to the client suitable colours and patterns that camouflage this effectively.
You need to know which areas will be the noisiest so you can select the right carpet with good acoustic qualities and the right backing to keep the noise down to a hum rather than a roar.
Once you have determined that some areas receive a lot of direct sunlight, you can advise the client that fading could be an issue over the long term and a light colour carpet would be best in these areas if they receive only light foot traffic. In heavier traffic areas, the client may need to consider window film or window coverings to reduce UV penetration so a suitable medium-coloured or patterned carpet can be used there.
Your client may not know that eco-friendly carpets even exist. So here’s your opportunity to explain the options on the market, such as offerings from a carpet supplier with a Cradle to Cradle™ certification and even carpets made from recycled fishing nets.
You should have sufficient answers by now to guide the client firmly towards either wall to wall carpet or carpet tiles.
Many clients will just want plain grey carpet, seeing it as practical and serviceable. Showing them samples of modern carpet in exciting colours and heathered patterns and carpet tiles in a variety of geometric shapes may perhaps inspire them to create a more lively environment for their staff and visitors!
In our next blogpost, we'll take a look at how to assist your clients with their carpet design choices.
Are you interested in having a chat with ege carpets about your next carpet project? Reach out to us here.
