Empire Today has been one of the most recognizable names in home flooring since its founding in 1959. The company’s shop-at-home model, where a sales representative brings samples to your house and provides a same-day quote, has made it a convenient option for homeowners who want to skip the showroom experience. But convenience does not always equal quality or value, and Empire flooring reviews across the internet tell a mixed story.
This guide compiles real customer feedback, industry assessments, and practical insights to help you decide whether Empire Today is the right choice for your next flooring project.
How Empire Today Works
Empire Today operates on a vertically integrated model. The company manufactures some of its own flooring products, sources others from third-party suppliers, and handles installation through a network of local contractors. When you schedule a free in-home estimate, a sales representative visits your home with a selection of samples, measures your space, and presents a quote that includes materials, installation, and furniture moving.
The core selling points are convenience and speed. Empire advertises next-day installation on many products, meaning you can go from initial consultation to finished floor in as little as 48 hours. This speed appeals to homeowners who need quick turnarounds due to home sales, renovations, or damage remediation.
Product Selection
Empire offers a full range of flooring products including hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, carpet, and tile. The selection is broad enough to cover most residential needs, though it is narrower than what you would find at a dedicated flooring showroom or big-box retailer. Many of Empire’s products are proprietary brands that are not available through other retailers, which makes direct price comparisons difficult.
What Customers Like About Empire
Positive Empire flooring reviews consistently highlight several strengths that the company delivers well.
Convenience Factor
The in-home shopping experience is genuinely convenient, especially for busy families, elderly homeowners, or anyone who finds showroom visits overwhelming. Seeing samples in your actual lighting conditions and against your existing decor is a meaningful advantage over choosing flooring under fluorescent showroom lights. Many reviewers specifically cite this as the reason they chose Empire over competitors.
Speed of Installation
Empire’s next-day and same-week installation timelines are significantly faster than most independent flooring contractors, who typically book out two to six weeks. For homeowners dealing with flood damage, pre-sale renovations, or time-sensitive rental turnovers, this speed has real value. Multiple reviewers report that Empire met or beat their promised installation dates.
Warranty Coverage
Empire offers a lifetime limited warranty on many of its flooring products and installation work. While the specifics vary by product category, the warranty generally covers manufacturing defects, installation failures, and premature wear. Several positive reviews mention successful warranty claims where Empire replaced defective flooring or corrected installation issues at no additional cost.
Professional Installation Crews
When Empire pairs you with a skilled installation crew, the results can be excellent. Many positive reviews describe professional, courteous installers who completed the job efficiently, cleaned up thoroughly, and left the home in better condition than they found it. The quality of installation crews, however, varies by market, which is a theme that recurs in the negative reviews.
Common Customer Complaints
Negative Empire flooring reviews reveal several recurring issues that prospective customers should understand before signing a contract.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
The most frequent complaint across nearly every review platform is aggressive sales pressure during the in-home estimate. Reviewers describe sales representatives who present an inflated initial price, then offer dramatic “discounts” that are only available if you sign the contract during the appointment. Phrases like “this price is only good today” and “I can’t guarantee this deal if you wait” appear repeatedly in customer accounts.
This high-pressure approach creates anxiety and can lead homeowners to make rushed decisions without comparing quotes from other providers. Industry experts recommend always getting at least two additional quotes before committing to any flooring purchase, regardless of time-sensitive offers.
Pricing Transparency Issues
Empire does not publish prices on its website, and quotes are only available through the in-home consultation process. This makes it impossible to compare Empire’s pricing against competitors before the sales visit. Multiple reviewers report that Empire’s prices, even after “discounts,” were 30 to 60 percent higher than comparable products from home improvement stores or independent flooring retailers.
A typical example from recent reviews: a customer received an initial quote of $14,000 for 800 square feet of mid-grade luxury vinyl plank with installation. After negotiating, the price dropped to $9,500. The same customer later received a quote of $5,800 for a comparable product from a local flooring store. This pattern of inflated initial pricing followed by aggressive discounting is a consistent theme in Empire flooring reviews.
Inconsistent Installation Quality
Because Empire relies on subcontracted installation crews rather than full-time employees in most markets, the quality of installation work varies significantly by location. While some reviewers praise their installers, others describe sloppy workmanship including uneven seams, visible gaps, poorly trimmed edges, and damage to walls, trim, and furniture during installation.
The most concerning installation complaints involve subfloor preparation shortcuts. Several reviewers report that installers laid new flooring over improperly prepared subfloors, leading to squeaking, uneven surfaces, and premature product failure within months of installation. Proper subfloor preparation is critical for any flooring installation, and cutting corners in this area creates problems that are expensive to fix.
Customer Service After the Sale
Post-installation customer service receives mixed to negative reviews. While some customers report responsive warranty service, others describe lengthy waits for callbacks, difficulty reaching decision-makers, and frustrating runarounds when trying to get installation defects corrected. Several reviewers mention that resolving post-installation issues required filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau or state consumer protection agencies.
BBB Rating and Industry Standing
As of early 2026, Empire Today holds a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company is BBB accredited and has been since 1974. However, the volume of complaints is notable: Empire has received thousands of complaints over the past three years, with the majority related to product quality, installation workmanship, and customer service responsiveness.
On consumer review platforms, Empire’s ratings are middling. The company averages approximately 3.5 out of 5 stars on most platforms, with a polarized distribution. Reviews tend to cluster at either 5 stars (excellent experience) or 1 star (significant problems), with relatively few moderate ratings. This polarization suggests that your experience with Empire depends heavily on the specific sales representative and installation crew assigned to your project.
How Empire’s Pricing Compares
While exact pricing varies by market and product, here is a general comparison of what homeowners report paying through Empire versus alternative channels for common flooring products in 2026.
For mid-grade luxury vinyl plank, Empire’s post-negotiation price typically falls between $7 and $12 per square foot installed. The same tier of product from a big-box retailer with independent installation runs $4 to $8 per square foot installed. Through a local flooring specialty store, expect $5 to $9 per square foot installed.
For mid-grade carpet with padding, Empire quotes generally land between $5 and $9 per square foot installed after negotiation. Big-box retailers offer comparable products at $3 to $6 per square foot installed. Local carpet stores typically charge $3.50 to $7 per square foot installed.
For engineered hardwood, Empire’s pricing after negotiation ranges from $9 to $16 per square foot installed. Big-box alternatives run $6 to $12 per square foot installed. Local flooring stores offer similar products at $7 to $13 per square foot installed.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal from Empire
If you decide to proceed with Empire, these strategies can help you negotiate a better price and reduce the risk of a negative experience.
Get Competing Quotes First
Before scheduling your Empire consultation, get at least two written quotes from other flooring providers for the specific product type you want. Having concrete competing prices gives you genuine leverage during the Empire sales visit and helps you evaluate whether their offer is competitive.
Never Accept the First Price
Empire’s initial quotes are designed to be negotiated downward. The first number is not a real price; it is the starting point for a negotiation. Be prepared to say no to the first offer and any “limited time” discount. In most cases, calling back a day or two later will get you an equal or better offer without the pressure of an in-home sales pitch.
Ask About the Installation Crew
Request information about the specific installation crew that will handle your project. Ask how long they have worked with Empire, whether they are employees or subcontractors, and whether you can see examples of their recent work. If your installation is handled by a newly contracted crew with limited experience, consider requesting a different team.
Document Everything
Take photos of your subfloor before installation begins and document the condition of your walls, trim, and furniture. Review the contract carefully before signing, paying attention to the warranty terms, cancellation policy, and what is included in the installation scope. Many complaints stem from misunderstandings about what was and was not included in the quoted price.
Use the Three-Day Cancellation Window
Under the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule, you have three business days to cancel any contract signed in your home without penalty. If you feel pressured during the sales visit and sign a contract you are not confident about, use this window to cancel and take more time to evaluate your options.
Who Should Consider Empire Today
Empire is a reasonable choice for homeowners who place a high value on convenience and speed, are comfortable negotiating, and are willing to pay a modest premium for a turnkey experience. If you need flooring installed quickly for a home sale, rental property, or emergency replacement, Empire’s rapid turnaround is a genuine advantage that few competitors can match.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
If you are budget-conscious, prefer to research products at your own pace, or want the widest possible selection, you will likely get better value from a local flooring retailer or big-box home improvement store. If you are particular about installation quality and want to choose your own installer based on references and reviews, the independent contractor route gives you more control over the outcome.
The Bottom Line
Empire flooring reviews paint a picture of a company that delivers a convenient, fast service at above-market prices with inconsistent quality control. The experience is heavily dependent on your local market, your specific sales representative, and the installation crew assigned to your job. Go in with realistic expectations, negotiate assertively, get competing quotes, and document everything. If you do your homework, Empire can deliver a satisfactory result. If you go in unprepared, the odds of overpaying or encountering quality issues increase significantly.
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