Visiting A Showroom: What To Expect
Visiting your local flooring store is a great way to learn more about flooring, Here's a quick Briefing on What to expect before you go in!
Before You Go
Bring some measurements – Even rough room sizes help the team give you better pricing and recommendations.
Think about your lifestyle – Do you have kids, pets, or a busy household? Knowing what your floor needs to handle makes choosing easier.
Grab inspiration – Photos of your space, Pinterest boards, or even a paint chip can help the staff point you in the right direction.
Once Inside
Warm Welcome – Expect a friendly “hello” and maybe a quick chat about what brought you in.
Lots to Explore – You’ll see walls and racks of carpet, hardwood, vinyl, tile, and more. Don’t be shy — touch, pick up, and compare.
Plenty of Questions – This is your chance to ask about durability, warranties, cleaning, or price ranges. Associates are used to all kinds of questions.
Samples to Take Home – Most showrooms will let you check out sample boards or swatches. Seeing them in your own lighting at home makes a big difference.
How the process Goes
Quick Chat – You share your needs, style, and budget.
Browse Together – A staff member shows you options that fit what you’re looking for.
Rough Pricing – They’ll often give you a ballpark estimate based on your measurements.
Schedule a Measure – For accurate pricing, a pro will usually come to your home to measure.
Detailed Estimate – Once that’s done, you’ll get a full quote with product + installation.
Visit Multiple Showrooms
I’ll be straight with you: not every flooring store is created equal. (And this is coming from a flooring salesman!) Some places have amazing staff who truly care, and others… not so much. I obviously can’t visit every showroom in America, so my best advice is this:
Find a store where you feel comfortable and where the people seem trustworthy. Remember, these are the folks you’re inviting into your home for a couple of days during installation. You should feel confident that they’ll treat your space with respect. If one showroom doesn’t feel right, it’s perfectly okay to check out another until you find the right fit. Remember, you get what you pay for.
Pro Tips
Be open about your budget — it saves time and helps the associate show you the right products.
Ask about installation timelines — they can vary depending on the season.
Don’t feel rushed. Good showrooms want you to take your time and make the best choice.
If you’re not ready to decide, no problem — grab some samples and think it over.
A showroom visit should feel exciting, not stressful. Go in curious, ask lots of questions, and use the opportunity to explore your options. By the time you leave, you’ll have a clearer idea of what works for your home — and maybe even a few samples in hand.