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Customer asked me to stretch carpet with a knee kicker only, no power stretcher | Flooring Installers - Chatter Central

Customer asked me to stretch carpet with a knee kicker only, no power stretcher

Had a guy in Phoenix last spring who insisted I install 80 yards of carpet without a power stretcher cause he didn't want me to "poke holes in his baseboards." I told him flat out that's how you get wrinkles and ripples in 6 months, but he wouldn't budge. Sure enough, called me back in December complaining about bumps by the doorways. Charged him full price to redo it with the proper tool. Has anyone else dealt with homeowners who think they know better than the installers?

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.drew5mo ago

That "learn the hard way with their own money" is exactly how I handle it now. I'll explain once why the power stretcher is needed and show them the difference in tension, then if they still say no I make them sign a waiver saying I'm not responsible for future wrinkles. Had a guy in Mesa who wanted his bedroom carpet done with just a knee kicker because he was "on a tight budget." I told him fine but warned him the seams would probably show and he'd get ripples by the closet door. Three months later he was texting me photos of the carpet bunching up, and I just sent him back the signed waiver.

mark_price4mo ago

That waiver idea is solid, man. People dont realize how much of a difference proper stretching makes until they see their carpet turning into a wrinkly mess a few months in. The Mesa guy probably thought he was saving a buck but now hes stuck with a floor that screams "I went cheap" every time he walks past the closet. At least you covered yourself legally, thats the smart part. Some folks just have to feel the regret in their wallet before they get it.

mason.brian5mo ago

Let that fool sit in his wrinkles. I had a lady in Tucson refuse the power stretcher because she saw a YouTube video saying knee kickers work better. Six months later her living room looked like a accordion. Charged her double for the fix plus a rush fee. Some people just gotta learn the hard way with their own money.