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Sunday, September 15th
Previously known as "Lumber Liquidators”, LL flooring is a bulk flooring company with a whole lot of experience, but a whole lot of poor reviews. LL Flooring may be a good choice for your project due to their low-cost and ubiquitous in-person retail presence across the U.S. However, with a history of health-related litigation, and a horrible reputation among flooring experts, you would likely be better served with a company rated more highly.
Respectable range of flooring
LL Flooring offers a respectable range of flooring, and - as a major supplier - doesn't miss out on any of the staples; hardwood, vinyl, laminate, cork, and hybrids of the previously-listed types, are all for sale at LL Flooring. (However, Tile is noticeably absent). To help you make your choice, LL Flooring provides a varied list of sample kits: whether a collection of customer favorites, a theme, or material sampler, we appreciate that LL Flooring provides some low-pressure comparisons for their customers. In addition, LL flooring provides a clearances section, though fewer warranties apply to said clearance options. LL Flooring also offers flooring installation through independent contractors, and-as a nice bonus-they do offer an installation estimate for free.
In-store pickup offered
One definite benefit of LL Flooring are their physical locations dotted throughout the country, meaning you can have your order delivered to them before you pick it up: saving on delivery costs. Otherwise, shipping will vary depending on the weight/quantity of your purchase. For example, the shipping for one box of hardwood from LL Flooring costs about $31.
90 day returns - on unopened products
LL Flooring does not advertise or openly flaunt any kind of favorable returns policy, however, you are able to return within 90 days if the box is not opened, or if there are obvious defects with their products: keep in mind that if you install the faulty product, you are considered to have voided your warranty, which may be inconvenient if there is a defect that does not show itself until after installation.
Guides offered, but poorly formatted
Similar to their competitors, LL Flooring provides some good-to-know educational materials about every aspect of flooring: from choosing the right material, to installation and care, and everything in between. However, while helpful, their educational materials are not nearly as neatly or intuitively displayed as some of the more highly rated providers on our list. All in all, their materials are difficult to read due to their relatively poor website design, which detracts from their usefulness.
Known for poor boards and formaldehyde
LL Flooring is infamous on DIY and flooring discussion boards for their overall poor quality; some who were contractors themselves, stated that they charge extra if a client sources their wood from LL Flooring to account for the extra time they would need to take installing a shoddy material. Not only do they have an overwhelmingly poor reputation among customers on discussion boards, but they have been in significant legal trouble for selling laminate flooring cheaply sourced from China with harmful levels of formaldehyde, and were ordered to pay $33million in damages. Shoddy quality is one thing, but when that poor quality affects the health of their customers, LL Flooring's low-budget boards feel a lot less attractive as a potential flooring option.
Overall not recommended
LL Flooring's shoddy offshore-produced vinyl boards negatively affected the health of thousands of people; if a company cannot be bothered to determine that their products are actually safe, and further have a terrible reputation for shoddy workmanship, poor customer service, why risk the trouble? While their flooring may be cheap, that cost could be eaten by the simple fact that it will take longer to install poor-quality, potentially warped, short-cut boards. In other words, if you go with LL Flooring, you're making a gamble, and it's a bet that we wouldn't recommend.
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.
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:
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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