Читать книгу Property Management Kit For Dummies - Robert S. Griswold - Страница 99

Cleaning the carpet or floor covering is the last step in preparing your rental unit for new tenants. You can clean most floor coverings, such as laminates, linoleum or sheet vinyl, during the final cleaning stage, but you should let contractors with professional truck-mounted steam cleaning equipment handle carpet cleaning. The cost of professional carpet cleaning is very competitive, and you can’t achieve the same results with the non-truck-mounted equipment that’s readily available for rent at your local grocery or hardware store.

Unless they’re obviously damaged, thoroughly clean your floor coverings before deciding to replace them. The best choice in floor-covering material is determined by your tenant profile, your prospective tenants’ expectations, and the competition in your area. Linoleum or sheet vinyl is very competitively priced, and the range of materials available is impressive, but laminates are in high demand if you can afford them. The most common problem with sheet vinyl is that any damage requires complete replacement. Some owners avoid using sheet vinyl and prefer individual floor tiles, which they can replace as needed, but these tiles quickly trap dirt at the seams and can look unsightly. Also, some laminates can be repaired if there is minor damage. Be sure to select neutral colors and basic patterns.

If the carpets are too dated, severely worn, or badly stained and damaged, replace them. Carpeting is a decorator item, and you should take care to select colors and styles designed for use in a rental property. I recommend selecting a standard carpet style in a couple of basic colors for all your properties. Although sculptured carpet works well for some units, a nonsculptured carpet with short nap (fibers) in one or two neutral colors has the broadest appeal. If you own a lot of rental units and have proper storage space, purchasing your standard carpet by the roll can offer significant savings. You can use the extra carpeting to patch or even replace a full room if necessary. Be aware, however, that each roll of even the same carpet style and color can be different because the manufacturer’s dye lot may vary slightly each time the carpet is produced.

Many rental property owners make the mistake of purchasing a higher grade of carpeting and trying to save money on the carpet pad, but the carpet pad can make all the difference in the world. Consider using a higher grade of rebond padding with a medium-grade carpet for competitively priced, yet excellent results.