Empire Flooring: A Complete Guide to Empire Today’s Flooring Services

If you have watched television at any point in the last few decades, chances are you have heard the Empire Today jingle. The company has been one of the most heavily advertised flooring brands in the United States since 1959, and their shop-at-home model offers a distinctly different buying experience compared to visiting a traditional flooring showroom.

But heavy advertising does not always translate to the best value or quality. This guide gives you an honest, detailed look at how Empire Flooring works, what products they offer, what the pricing looks like, and the pros and cons you should consider before scheduling your in-home appointment.

How Empire Today’s Shop-at-Home Model Works

Empire Today’s core selling point is convenience. Instead of visiting a showroom, you schedule a free in-home consultation where a sales representative comes to your home with flooring samples. Here is how the process typically unfolds.

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment

You can book online or by phone. Empire operates across most of the continental United States, though availability varies by market. Appointments can often be scheduled within a day or two, and they offer daytime, evening, and weekend slots.

Step 2: In-Home Consultation

A sales representative arrives at your home with a selection of flooring samples. They measure your rooms, discuss your preferences and budget, and show you options from their product catalog. The samples allow you to see how different colors and textures look in your actual lighting conditions, which is a genuine advantage over choosing flooring under showroom lights.

Step 3: Same-Day Quote

After measuring, the representative provides a quote on the spot. This quote includes materials, installation labor, removal of old flooring, and furniture moving. Empire positions itself as an all-inclusive service, so the quote should cover everything needed to complete the job.

Step 4: Installation

One of Empire’s biggest selling points is fast installation. In many cases, installation can happen as soon as the next day after you sign the contract. Empire uses a network of local installation contractors who are scheduled and managed through the company’s central operations.

Empire Flooring Product Range

Empire Today offers a broad selection of flooring types, covering most of the major categories homeowners typically consider.

Carpet

Empire carries a wide range of carpet styles including plush, textured, frieze, and patterned options from major manufacturers. Carpet remains one of their most popular product categories, and the in-home model works particularly well for carpet since color matching to existing decor is critical.

Hardwood

Both solid and engineered hardwood options are available through Empire. Their hardwood selection includes popular species like oak, maple, hickory, and walnut in various stain colors and plank widths. Options range from budget-friendly engineered products to premium solid hardwood.

Laminate

Empire offers laminate flooring in a variety of wood-look designs. Their laminate products come from well-known manufacturers and include options with water-resistant cores suitable for kitchens and entryways.

Vinyl and LVP

Luxury vinyl plank and tile options have become an increasingly large part of Empire’s catalog. Their LVP selections include waterproof products with rigid cores, and they carry both click-lock and glue-down formats.

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile options are available for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. Empire handles the full installation process including subfloor preparation and grouting.

Empire Flooring Pricing

Pricing is where Empire Today gets the most scrutiny from consumers, and for good reason. Because Empire bundles materials, installation, old flooring removal, and furniture moving into a single quote, direct price comparisons with retail flooring stores can be misleading.

Empire’s initial quoted prices tend to be higher than what you would pay buying materials from a home improvement store and hiring your own installer. However, Empire frequently runs promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free, 50 percent off sales, or interest-free financing offers that can significantly reduce the effective price.

Here are rough all-inclusive price ranges you might expect from Empire, including materials and installation.

• Carpet: $4 to $9 per square foot installed
• Laminate: $6 to $11 per square foot installed
• Luxury Vinyl Plank: $6 to $12 per square foot installed
• Hardwood: $8 to $16 per square foot installed
• Tile: $8 to $15 per square foot installed

The key advice with Empire pricing is to never accept the first quoted price without asking about current promotions. The company’s pricing structure is designed around promotional discounts, and paying the initial quoted price without any promotion applied will almost always result in overpaying.

Pros of Empire Flooring

Convenience

The shop-at-home model is genuinely convenient, especially for busy families, elderly homeowners, or anyone who finds the flooring showroom experience overwhelming. Having samples brought to your home and seeing them in your actual space is a practical advantage.

All-Inclusive Service

Empire handles everything from measurement to old flooring removal to installation. You deal with one company for the entire process, which simplifies project management and reduces the risk of miscommunication between separate material suppliers and installers.

Fast Installation

Next-day installation is a real differentiator. If you need flooring done quickly for a home sale, rental turnover, or simply because you hate living with torn-up floors, Empire’s speed is hard to match through traditional retail channels.

Financing Options

Empire typically offers multiple financing plans including interest-free options for qualified buyers. This can make larger flooring projects more financially manageable.

Wide Service Area

Empire operates in most major metropolitan areas across the United States, making their services accessible to a large portion of the population.

Cons of Empire Flooring

Pricing Transparency

Empire does not publish prices online, and the in-home sales process can feel high-pressure to some consumers. The initial quotes are often higher than expected, and the reliance on promotional pricing means the actual cost can be confusing to evaluate.

Mixed Installation Quality Reviews

Because Empire uses a network of local subcontractors rather than in-house installation teams, installation quality can be inconsistent. Some customers report excellent experiences while others have had issues with rushed work, poor transitions, or subfloor preparation shortcuts. Checking reviews specific to your local market is important.

Limited Product Selection Compared to Showrooms

While Empire carries products across all major categories, the selection within each category may be more limited than what you would find at a dedicated flooring showroom. The in-home consultation format means the representative can only bring a finite number of samples.

Sales Pressure

Empire’s in-home sales model uses time-limited pricing, meaning the quoted price is typically only valid on the day of the consultation. This pressure tactic is designed to discourage comparison shopping, and it is one of the most common complaints from consumers. You should feel comfortable taking time to compare options before committing.

Warranty Claims Can Be Difficult

Some consumer reviews mention difficulties with warranty claims, particularly around installation-related issues. Understanding exactly what the warranty covers and getting all commitments in writing before signing is essential.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal with Empire

If you decide to use Empire, these strategies can help you get better value.

• Always ask about current promotions before the representative visits so you know what discounts are available.
• Get competing quotes from local flooring retailers and installers to use as comparison benchmarks.
• Do not feel pressured by same-day pricing. A reputable company should honor a fair price beyond a single day.
• Read the contract carefully before signing, paying close attention to warranty terms, cancellation policy, and what is included in the quoted price.
• Check online reviews for Empire’s service quality in your specific area, as experiences vary significantly by market.

Empire Flooring vs. Traditional Flooring Retailers

The choice between Empire and a traditional flooring store comes down to what you value most. If convenience, speed, and a single point of contact are your priorities, Empire delivers a streamlined experience. If you prefer to browse a wide selection at your own pace, compare prices transparently, and choose your own installer, a traditional retailer or home improvement store will give you more control over the process and typically lower overall costs.

For large projects or premium materials, the cost savings from sourcing materials independently and hiring a vetted local installer can be substantial. For smaller projects or time-sensitive situations, Empire’s all-inclusive convenience may justify the premium.

Is Empire Flooring Worth It?

Empire Today provides a legitimate service that works well for a specific type of buyer. If you value convenience above all else and want a hands-off experience from selection to installation, Empire removes the complexity from the flooring purchase process. Their fast turnaround and all-inclusive pricing simplify what can otherwise be a stressful home improvement project.

However, if you are budget-conscious and willing to invest time in comparison shopping, you can typically get comparable or better products at lower prices through traditional retail channels. The key is to go in informed, resist high-pressure sales tactics, and make sure the quoted price reflects a fair market value for the materials and installation included.