You want new flooring and have been looking around for weeks, months, even years. But are you confused by the multitude of flooring products and manufacturers out there? If so, you are not alone. One thing for sure about flooring in Hawaii, is that the market is very competitive and the choices of product and installers are many. Then you have salespeople, many of them with very poor product knowledge, coming at you with confusing facts, figures and pressure to buy. It’s enough to make a person say, “I’ll stick with my 40-year-old carpet for a little longer.”
But there is help. If you are building new, remodeling, or just freshening up, Shirley Pai Hilton of Kahala Pacific Floors would like to help you with some unbiased information on products and installation so that you can make the right choice for the person that matters here — you.
Hilton said the first thing to remember is to always buy quality in your price range. The old adage of getting what you pay for applies doubly in a competitive market. Vendors will try to get your attention and money by offering an amazingly low price but that’s because they didn’t pay much for it either.
And what has usually been sacrificed is hardiness and longevity. What good does it do if you have to buy another floor in just a few years? Always look for a good warranty on materials. About 25 years for home use should be readily available.
Another piece of advice from Hilton is to always look for integrity with the company you are dealing with. You may have a written contract but good customer service usually is not one of the listed obligations. Ask your friends, relatives or neighbors about their own experience and endorsements, get references and consult online sources such as Yelp and Google, among others.
It also is interesting to note that good, knowledgeable salespeople are a direct reflection of the company’s openness and attention to detail. That person should be able to offer you good information that will help you make an informed decision. Always walk away from high-pressuring, badgering salespeople who call or text you incessantly. They definitely don’t have your best interests at heart.
And most of all before you venture out into the Hawaii flooring wilderness, get a basic education by attending Hilton’s “Wood and Stone Flooring 101” seminar, held every month. The 90-minute session has been attended by thousands who exclaim how much they enjoyed it and how much they learned.
Kahala Pacific Floors’ next seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14 at its showroom, which is located at 926 Kohou St. Call 847-7711 to reserve a seat.
KAHALA PACIFIC FLOORS
contact // 847-7711
address // 926 Kouhou St.
web // kahalapacificfloors.com
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