Floor Coverings International® Review 2026

Floor Coverings International® Review: Our Verdict

Floor Coverings International® is a strong option for full-service flooring nationwide. The Mobile Flooring Showroom® brings the selection process, and expert, personalized guidance, to your home, which is a big advantage for homeowners. All-inclusive pricing covers both materials and installation, making things simpler. The company also offers a two-year installation warranty, which is the best standard coverage available. Many verified homeowners on Modernize say their projects were professional, organized, and finished on time by crews who treated their homes with respect.

FCI franchises are locally owned and operated, so your experience depends on the local owner. The company sets standards, but each franchise is responsible for meeting them.

Bottom line: Floor Coverings International® gives you a professional, white-glove flooring experience that’s tough to match for the price. Still, it’s always a good idea to check local reviews.

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How We Rate Floor Coverings International®

Our 4.0/5 Modernize rating reflects FCI’s performance across seven criteria. Here’s how each one breaks down:

Learn more about how Modernize rates flooring installers in our rating methodology.

Who Floor Coverings International® Is Best For

Here is an honest look at who gets the most value from this full-service model:

If you want someone to handle the entire project for you, FCI is a good choice. You won’t have to deal with a separate retailer, installer, or subfloor contractor; FCI takes care of it all. You get one point of contact, one estimate, one crew, and one warranty. This makes things much easier, especially for busy homeowners or those with larger projects.

If you like making design choices at home, the Mobile Flooring Showroom® is very helpful. A design associate brings the showroom to you, so you can see flooring samples in your own lighting and next to your furniture. This often leads to better decisions than choosing something in a store. If you have ever noticed that a paint swatch looks different at home, you know why this is important.

If having warranty protection matters to you, FCI’s two-year installation warranty is the longest standard coverage among national installers. For homeowners who want quality work and support after the job is done, FCI is a good choice.

Who FCI Is Less Ideal For

If you have a tight budget, remember that FCI charges more for the convenience of its full-service model. If your main goal is to pay the lowest price per square foot and you are comfortable finding materials and an installer on your own, you may save money that way. FCI’s value comes from its expert guidance and service, not from offering the lowest prices.

If you prefer to do projects yourself or already have a contractor, FCI might not be the best fit. They require you to use their approved crew for installation. If you have already bought materials or have someone you trust for the job, FCI’s process will not meet your needs.

About Floor Coverings International®

Floor Coverings International® is a unique, full-service, locally owned and operated flooring franchise that started in 1988 and now operates in 45 states and most major cities. Each location is independently owned but follows the same national standards for products, pricing, and warranties.

The company stands out because of its Mobile Flooring Showroom®. Instead of asking you to visit a store, a design associate brings a van with over 125 collections directly to your home. This lets you see materials in your own space, with your lighting, furniture, and finishes, before making a decision. FCI also offers a room visualization tool and a quick quiz on its website to help you get ready for your consultation.

FCI acts as a one-stop shop for your whole flooring project, from picking materials to installation and follow-up. All costs are rolled into one all-inclusive estimate, and your design associate provides expert, personalized guidance from the first consultation through project completion.

Products and Services

Floor Coverings International® provides a wide range of flooring products and services. The next sections explain the materials you can choose from and what’s usually included with each installation.

Flooring Types

Floor Coverings International® offers a wide range of products, with over 125 collections from well-known national brands like Shaw, Anderson Tuftex, Mohawk, Cali, Engineered Floors, and AHF Products.

• Carpet: Berber, texture, and cut pile styles in polyester and high-performance nylon. Learn more about carpet flooring.
• Hardwood: Solid and engineered hardwood from Anderson Tuftex, Cali, AHF Products, and Shaw. Engineered options are available for below-grade and high-humidity applications where solid hardwood is not recommended.
• Laminate: Wood-look laminate planks, including Mohawk RevWood, typically 10 mm to 14 mm thick, at a more accessible price point than hardwood.
• Tile: Porcelain tile from MSI and Daltile, available in many formats, including wood-look, stone-look, hexagon, mosaic, and standard, and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.
• Vinyl: Luxury vinyl plank and sheet vinyl from Shaw, COREtec, and Engineered Floors in styles that replicate hardwood, stone, and tile.

What’s Included in Every Project

Every FCI project estimate includes the following at no additional charge:

• Professional installation by the franchise’s approved crew
• Furniture removal for rooms being floored
• Demo and disposal of existing flooring (see typical removal costs for reference)
• Two-year installation warranty on all workmanship, in addition to the manufacturer’s product warranty
• Post-installation follow-up, including an in-person quality check scheduled within 10 days after the project is finished

What Does Floor Coverings International® Cost?

The average installed cost ranges from $5 to $18 per square foot, covering both materials and labor. Keep in mind that tear-out and subfloor preparation may not be included in the base estimate, so ask your design associate to clarify what is covered when you get your quote. Labor rates usually run from $2 to $5 per square foot. FCI does not list prices online, so you will need an in-home consultation for an exact quote. This can seem inconvenient if you want to compare prices, but the all-inclusive estimate helps you avoid surprise charges later.

For context, here are average installed cost ranges by flooring type/grade:

• Budget-Friendly ($3 to $7 per square foot): Entry-level carpet; basic materials and labor only
• Mid-Range ($5 to $12 per square foot): Laminate ($5 to $9), vinyl ($5 to $12), and higher-end carpet; includes materials and basic labor
• Premium ($8 to $18+ per square foot): Engineered and solid hardwood (similar cost ranges), and tile starting around $8; includes materials and labor

Why FCI Costs More Than DIY

FCI is more pricey than buying materials yourself and hiring a local installer, but the higher price includes bundled services such as design help, moving furniture, removing old flooring, a workmanship warranty, and follow-up after installation. For homeowners who would need to arrange these services separately, the all-in price can be worth it for the time and effort saved. If you are comfortable managing your own project, doing it yourself can cost less.

What Affects Your Specific Cost

• Flooring type and brand tier: Hardwood and natural stone carry the highest material costs. Vinyl and laminate are the most accessible. Within each category, the brand and product line you choose affects the final price significantly.
• Room size and complexity: Larger rooms, irregular layouts, stairs, and multiple doorways add labor time and material waste.
• Subfloor condition: If your subfloor is damaged, uneven, or has moisture issues, it will need repairs before installation. This adds to both material and labor costs. Be sure to ask about this during your consultation before you set your budget.
• Regional labor rates: Labor costs vary by market. High-cost metro areas can run above the national average of $2 to $5 per square foot.

Financing

FCI offers financing through outside lenders. The programs, rates, and special deals you can get depend on where you live. During your consultation, ask your design associate about current options, manufacturer rebates, and any seasonal promotions.

What Homeowners Say About FCI

Verified homeowner reviews on Modernize for Floor Coverings International® are very positive. Homeowners often mention professional crews, careful treatment of their homes, projects finished on time, and franchise owners who stay personally involved. These comments reflect the white-glove, consultative experience FCI is known for.

Professional, Hardworking Team

Connor L. hired FCI for a full commercial office flooring project and described everyone involved — from the owner to the installers — as professional, respectful, and hardworking. The team completed the entire project in one week around the office’s schedule with minimal disruption. “They truly treat your space as if it were their own,” he wrote. “It is great to see a local, family-owned business deliver this level of service and craftsmanship.”

Hands-On Guidance

Scott L. worked with FCI on a whole-home project that combined carpet replacement and hardwood refinishing. He specifically called out the team’s hands-on guidance through a complicated project: “Dan, Andrew, Rachel, and the team held my hand throughout the entire process. There were some expected challenges and they worked with me to get it done within budget and our timeline.”

Respectful & Careful

Shahid I. described a 450-square-foot hardwood installation completed in one day. The crew put down protective coverings throughout the home before starting, cleaned up thoroughly when finished, and put all the furniture back in place. The franchise owner also stopped by during the installation to check on progress, which Shahid said his previous installer had never done. “We already had the wood and materials and chose FCI for the installation. We are very glad we did.”

The Franchise Variability Gap

As with any franchise, experiences can vary by location.

Occasionally, independent review sites report delayed projects, incomplete work, or a lack of response from franchise owners.

Most FCI customers don’t run into these problems, but it’s always a good idea to check local reviews before working with any home improvement or flooring company. Still, the national brand rating and BBB’s A+ grade show that the company, overall, has a favorable reputation.

Before you choose a flooring company, read local reviews, ask for references from recent projects, and request a full, itemized quote.

How Floor Coverings International® Compares

Here are some situations to help you decide when FCI is the right choice and when a competitor may serve you better.

When to Choose FCI Over Empire Today

FCI’s two-year installation warranty is longer than the standard coverage from Empire Today. FCI also offers a wide range of branded products across more than 125 collections, while competitors often have more limited and unbranded selections. FCI provides more detailed in-home design guidance, which is helpful if you are making complex decisions for several rooms or materials. Choose FCI if you want more branded options, better design support, and a longer warranty.

Empire Today serves over 60 markets, which is more than FCI’s network, and has historically offered fast installation — sometimes within a week or even the next day for in-stock products. If speed matters most to you, Empire may be the better choice.

When to Choose FCI Over 50Floor

50Floor also brings samples to your home and charges about the same as FCI; their one-day installation is also a big advantage. However, 50Floor operates in only about 30 markets, while FCI is available in more locations, and 50Floor offers fewer premium hardwood options. If 50Floor is in your area and you want the fastest installation, get quotes from both companies. If you want more choices or live outside 50Floor’s area, FCI is the better option.

When to Choose a Retailer Instead

If you want to see a wide selection in person, compare materials side by side, and either install them yourself or hire your own contractor, a retailer like Floor & Decor may cost less and offer more flexibility. The downside is that you will need to coordinate everything yourself, and the workmanship warranty will depend on the installer you choose.

Floor Coverings International® vs. National Floors Direct

National Floors Direct also offers in-home consultations for different flooring types. Like Empire, National Floors Direct generally offers a more limited, often unbranded product selection compared to FCI’s 125+ collections of branded flooring. Some products can be installed in one day. Warranty terms vary, so make sure to ask your local representative for details.

Questions to Ask Your Local FCI Franchise Before Signing

Since the quality of each locally owned franchise is the main factor in your FCI experience, asking these questions before you commit is the best way to protect yourself.

• “Can you give me two or three references from projects similar to mine in the last six months?” A well-run franchise will have these readily available. Hesitation or vague responses are worth noting.
• “What’s the realistic timeline for a project like mine, start to finish?” Get a specific range, not a general estimate. If the timeline slips significantly from what is discussed here, you will want written documentation of what was originally agreed on.
• “What’s included in the scope of work, and what would trigger additional costs?” Subfloor repairs, electrical outlet adjustments, stair work, and room transitions are common sources of mid-project cost increases. Know what is included and what is not before signing.
• “What is the payment schedule?” A large upfront payment before work begins is a risk factor with any contractor. Understand when payments are due relative to project milestones.
• “If I have a warranty issue, do I contact you or corporate?” Understanding the resolution path before a problem occurs is important. Confirm whether the two-year warranty is backed at the franchise level, by corporate, or both.
• “Will the same crew handle my entire project, or does that change?” Crew consistency often connects to quality consistency. A project handed off between multiple subcontracted crews is very different from one managed by the same team throughout.

Is Floor Coverings International® Right for You?

For most homeowners replacing standard flooring such as carpet, hardwood, vinyl, or tile, a well-reviewed local FCI franchise is a great choice. The Mobile Flooring Showroom®, expert in-home design guidance, all-inclusive pricing, quality brands, and a two-year workmanship warranty make this service hard to beat.

The experience may be less predictable for larger or more complex projects, such as custom carpentry, millwork, or stair finishing. For these types of jobs, check your local franchise’s experience with similar work before making a decision.

If budget is your main concern, get a quote from FCI and compare it to the cost of buying materials from a retailer and hiring a local installer. The difference will show you how much the convenience and warranty are worth for your project.

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How We Rate Flooring Contractors

Every flooring contractor on Modernize is rated on a one-to-five scale across seven criteria. Each criterion is scored independently, then weighted by its impact on your installation outcome. Those weighted scores are added together to produce the final star rating.
Here’s what we evaluate and how much each factor counts:

• Licensing & Credentials (22%)
• Customer Experience (20%)
• Workmanship & Installation Quality (18%)
• Responsiveness & Availability (12%)
• Pricing & Transparency (12%)
• Reputation & Market Presence (8%)
• Warranty & Post-Service Support (8%)

Learn more about how we score flooring contractors in our Rating Methodology.

Cost data, warranty details, and current product offerings have been verified by Floor Coverings International®