Anyone ever use carpet squares for rentals?

Question

So I was in a hotel the other day with my wife on a trip. I got to noticing the room we were staying in had carpet squares. They looked half decent. It got me to thinking if there was a spill or some sort of damage all the hotel would have to do is change that particular carpet Square. Then it got the wheels turning in my head. Could that be used in Rentals.. I personally have never seen that, but I’m only one person. Lol.

Has anyone ever seen or used carpet squares in rentals/investment properties?

Jill F. · Answer

I tried kind from home depot that looked more like residential carpet in the 99 sq ft bedrooms in my first rental in a "D" neighborhood. The quality of the carpet was very low they looked very shabby and flat in short order and the adhesive was a bear to get off when we tried to replace them. Plus the carpet squares faded and flattened so quickly that replacements were really obvious. The commercial grade office looking ones probably would have been better. Get laminate. They have stuff at home depot for less than $1/sq ft that holds up and looks nice.

Scott Mac · Answer

Probably a noticeable low end look item to a potential renter.

If the unit is a low priced unit for the area, and you're trying to attract just on low price it may not matter, but I think some potential renters will notice it and be more likely to pass on the unit.

So you may go through more people before you find someone hot for the unit to vet.

In some areas of San Antonio you might get away with this, but I still think in some ways it's going to increase the amount of people who will pass on the unit.

But in certain circumstances it might be a good business decision. Like painting the old kitchen cabinets vs replacing them, or providing them with a small refrigerator instead of a decent standard size one.

But these are all just guesses.

Good Luck!

Chris Seveney · Answer

@Joe S.

They are much thinner and are commercial loooking. If they are on a second floor they do nothing for sound.

Yes easier to replace than traditional carpet

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Yes, I have used them on some lower-end rentals. Carpet squares don't usually look as attractive as ordinary carpet.

Jon K. · Answer

If there was a spill in your rental you could just spend the weekend in a casino and take a few squares home with you! You'd get free drinks too.

Andrew Postell · Answer

@Joe S. absolutely have used this on rental properties of a certain caliber. However, this isn't something you want on a rental that comps at a higher level. Make sure you pay attention to the comps to see how you need to rehab your properties. And when you market your home for rent...if the other properties are at the same price but look better than yours...that means they will rent first. Comparable homes is usually the answer to deciding on finishes.

Hope all of that makes sense.

Joe S. · Answer

So if my rentals are not lower end rentals it is probably being implied not to use carpet squares.  Lol.

Anyone ever use carpet squares for rentals?

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