Best Flooring Companies
Best National Flooring Companies & Retailers In the U.S., the biggest flooring companies fit into two main groups. Some are full-service installers that manage everything from your first consultation to...
Flooring
National Floors Direct serves homeowners in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with a simple, all-in-one approach to flooring. A consultant brings samples right to your home, measures your space, and gives you a quote on the spot. In many cases, you can schedule installation within just a few days. This process is ideal if you want a single company to manage your project from start to finish.
In this review, you’ll find what National Floors Direct does well, where experiences can differ, and the most important questions to ask before you commit.
National Floors Direct delivers on its promise of fast, convenient, single-vendor flooring installation — especially for carpet and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Its in-home consultation model, next-day scheduling on in-stock products, and price guarantee make it a strong choice for homeowners who value speed and simplicity over a wide product selection.
One important caveat: installation quality can vary because NFD uses subcontracted crews. Experienced crews deliver good results. Less experienced crews can leave homeowners struggling to get problems resolved. NFD works best for straightforward projects — and for homeowners who ask the right questions before signing and know to escalate to a regional manager if something goes wrong.
NFD stands out in the areas that matter most to busy homeowners: speed, convenience, and transparent all-in pricing.
Speed is NFD’s biggest strength. Many homeowners report getting a measurement appointment the next day and finishing installation within the same week. One customer went from first call to completed installation in two days — far faster than most big-box stores or independent flooring shops.
NFD’s in-home consultation model eliminates showroom trips, sample hauling, and the hassle of coordinating between a retailer and a separate installer. One reviewer described the process as smooth from start to finish, with a professional crew that arrived on time and cleaned up after the job. For busy homeowners, having one point of contact manage everything makes a meaningful difference.
Several homeowners report that NFD’s prices came in lower than local competitors for similar products, particularly carpet. Quoted prices include measurement, materials, and installation — making apples-to-apples comparison easier and reducing surprise labor costs.
Positive reviews frequently highlight crews that are professional, efficient, and communicative. One customer said installation quality more than made up for a minor scheduling delay. Another praised the polished concrete crew for delivering a clean, smooth result with no issues.
National Floors Direct does not publish a price list. Consultants provide all quotes during the in-home visit, so your final price depends on your project, location, and available products. The ranges below reflect standard national floor installation cost averages — useful benchmarks when evaluating your quote.
NFD will beat any competitor’s valid written estimate for similar products, but the guarantee applies only during your first visit. The competing quote must be dated within 30 days, include in-home measurements, and list all charges. If you plan to use it, get a written quote from another company before your NFD consultation.
Subfloor leveling, moisture barriers, and stair installation are not always included in the initial quote. Subfloor prep can add $3 to $10 per square foot — costs that add up quickly in older homes or those with uneven concrete. Ask your consultant explicitly about potential add-ons before you sign.
NFD carries name-brand products from major manufacturers. The Carpet and Rug Institute of America certifies all NFD carpet for indoor air quality.
Carpet is NFD’s flagship category, with the deepest selection and most established installation track record. Options range from builder-grade polyester for rental properties to premium nylon and wool for living rooms and bedrooms. Every carpet installation includes premium padding at no extra charge — an upgrade many competitors charge for separately.
LVP is NFD’s fastest-growing category. NFD offers name-brand luxury vinyl and next-day installation on in-stock products. For homeowners replacing tile or carpet with LVP, the bundled model — samples brought to your home, a quote during the visit, and fast scheduling — is especially convenient.
NFD offers solid and engineered options from major brands, currently with $500 off per room on hardwood installations. Because hardwood requires acclimation time and is more sensitive to subfloor conditions, confirm that the project timeline accounts for necessary prep work during your consultation.
The most budget-friendly hard-surface option for homeowners who want a wood look without the cost of hardwood or premium LVP.
Available in NFD’s markets, but product selection and installer availability for these categories vary more by region than for carpet or LVP.
NFD moves standard furniture within the installation area at no additional cost, excluding built-ins, appliances, electronics, and breakables. Old flooring removal and disposal are available but may be priced separately — confirm during the consultation. Financing is available; ask your consultant for terms.
NFD does not sell house brands or private-label products. Every product it installs comes directly from the manufacturer, meaning your purchase carries the full manufacturer warranty — not a store-specific one.
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Because NFD relies on subcontracted crews and operates across a wide region, the quality of your experience can differ from one job to the next. Here’s what to watch for.
Because NFD uses subcontracted crews, your experience depends heavily on which team handles your job. Some crews are experienced and deliver excellent results. Others have drawn complaints about workmanship, cleanup, and professionalism. One homeowner reported that a crew used her personal extension cord and left grout on door handles and floors.
This variability is common across flooring retailers that use subcontractors, but it’s worth knowing upfront. Before signing, ask your consultant which crew will handle your job and whether the same team will manage both removal and installation.
Several homeowners have encountered unexpected charges at installation — most often for subfloor leveling. One reviewer received a bill for an extra $300 in concrete leveling that the sales consultant never mentioned. These charges are often legitimate, but discovering them after signing a contract is frustrating. Ask whether your quote includes a subfloor assessment and what conditions could change the final price.
Some homeowners report that the in-home sales appointment took longer than expected. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if your schedule is tight, plan to set aside extra time.
Crew quality, product availability, and scheduling speed vary by location. Some areas earn consistently strong reviews; others are more mixed. Ask your consultant which crew will handle your job and whether you can see examples of their recent work in your area.
NFD reviews tend to fall into two camps: customers who had a fast, smooth experience and those who ran into problems. The difference almost always comes down to which crew did the work.
The most common complaints involve crews that didn’t meet expectations and surprise costs — usually for subfloor leveling — that the installer disclosed only on installation day.
“I was told a two-bedroom tile job would be one day. One day of a no-show, then four days of having a complete disaster in my house. They hire outside help so you might get someone experienced or, like my luck, someone not.” — Kelsey P., Google Reviews
When NFD delivers, speed is the standout benefit. Several homeowners went from first call to finished installation in two days, with consultants who arrived prepared, stayed within budget, and skipped high-pressure sales tactics.
“They came out the next day to take measurements and show us samples. We got a price lower than local carpet shops and were able to schedule an install date that week. The install looked good. We’re happy with it.” — Jordan T., Google Reviews
One instructive review started negatively but ended well. A homeowner had a poor experience with the first salesperson, then contacted the regional sales manager, who honored the original quoted price and sent a new consultant to verify measurements. The installation went smoothly, and the homeowner said they’d recommend the company. NFD’s escalation path works — but you need to know to use it.
“The purchase initially started to go wrong. The first salesman was nice enough but didn’t follow through. However, when I contacted the regional sales manager, he ensured that the price we were quoted would be honored. The installation team was just as professional and worked diligently. I would definitely recommend.” — Nate, Trustpilot
National Floors Direct, Empire Today, and Floor Coverings International (FCI) all use the same core model: a design consultant visits your home with samples, measures the space, provides a quote, and arranges installation. The differences come down to geographic reach, pricing, speed, selection, and service consistency.
Empire Today is NFD’s closest competitor, sharing the same in-home model and bundled pricing. Empire has been in business for more than 60 years and has served more than 3 million customers across dozens of metro areas nationwide. NFD was founded in 2005 and operates primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Empire’s edge: National availability. If you’re outside NFD’s service area, Empire is likely an option. Empire also offers a wider product range, including window treatments.
NFD’s edge: NFD’s price guarantee beats any competitor’s written estimate by at least 15% — more aggressive than Empire’s price-match offer. NFD also includes premium padding with every carpet installation; Empire includes basic padding, with upgrades available at extra cost.
Where they’re similar: Both use subcontracted installers, so quality can vary by job. Empire’s pricing typically runs $10 to $14 per square foot, comparable to NFD’s range. One important difference: Empire Today offers a one-year installation warranty, among the shortest in this category. Confirm NFD’s warranty terms for your specific project before signing.
Floor Coverings International uses a franchise model with more than 270 locally owned locations across North America. Each location operates as an independent small business under the FCI brand — a fundamentally different structure from NFD.
FCI’s edge: Because each FCI location is independently owned, the franchisee has a personal stake in every job. FCI’s mobile showroom carries more than 3,000 product options — broader than most in-home competitors. Customer reviews are consistently strong, with homeowners frequently citing personalized service. FCI offers at least a one-year installation warranty, with extended warranties at some locations.
NFD’s edge: Speed. NFD’s next-day installation model, backed by a centralized regional operation, is typically faster than FCI. FCI’s franchise structure means scheduling and turnaround times vary by location.
On pricing: Neither company publishes pricing; both quote through in-home consultation. Evaluate pricing from both only after completing a consultation.
NFD is a strong fit for homeowners who need fast turnaround, prefer a single point of contact, and want an all-in price without coordinating between a retailer and a separate installer.
It may not be the best fit if you want to browse a wide product range at your own pace, have complex subfloor issues, or are primarily focused on finding the lowest possible price. In those cases, getting quotes from independent flooring retailers and installers may work out better.
Homeowners who had the best experiences with NFD shared a few habits: they asked about crew experience and possible extra costs before signing, confirmed the installation date in writing, and stayed home during installation to catch any issues before the crew left.
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Every flooring retailer on Modernize receives a rating on a one-to-five scale across seven criteria. We score each criterion independently, then weight it by its impact on your installation outcome. Those weighted scores combine to produce the final star rating.
Here’s what we evaluate and how much each factor counts:
Learn more about how we score flooring retailers in our Rating Methodology.
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