Don Bailey Carpets
ClaimTypical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more
What to Compare
Lowe's Flooring Installation is a retailer-driven service: you pick the product in-store or online, and Lowe's dispatches an independent contractor crew. Both use independent contractor crews — the install quality depends more on the specific crew assigned than the brand.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Empire Today
Features and considerations
- Single-touchpoint sales rep handles everything (no Home Depot/Lowe's runaround)
Lowe's Flooring Installation
Features and considerations
- Massive product selection — every major flooring brand, hundreds of SKUs
- Transparent in-store pricing — what you see is close to what you pay
- Easy in-store returns of unused boxes (Empire is store-credit only)
Limits and questions
- Multiple touchpoints (store → measurement service → install crew)
- In-store sample selection is limited; ordering by photo is risky on color
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Empire Today | Lowe's Flooring Installation | |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Model | In-home consult only | In-store + online product selection |
| Install Lead Time | Confirm the schedule and conditions with the Empire Today provider before booking. | Confirm the schedule and conditions with the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider before booking. |
| Product Selection | 30–60 SKUs (Empire-curated) | 500+ SKUs (every major brand) |
| LVP Sq-Ft Installed (Typical FL Job) | Ask the Empire Today provider to document lvp sq-ft installed for the exact offer. | Ask the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider to document lvp sq-ft installed for the exact offer. |
| Tile Sq-Ft Installed (Typical FL Job) | Ask the Empire Today provider to document tile sq-ft installed for the exact offer. | Ask the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider to document tile sq-ft installed for the exact offer. |
| Install Crews | Independent contractors (Empire-vetted) | Independent contractors (Lowe's-vetted) |
| Labor Warranty | Ask the Empire Today provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. | Ask the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. |
| Financing | Ask the Empire Today provider to document financing for the exact offer. | Ask the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider to document financing for the exact offer. |
| Fit for your project | Ask the Empire Today provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. | Ask the Lowe's Flooring Installation provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better install quality?
Ask either company who specifically will install (the crew lead's name) and look them up on Google. A 5-star crew through Lowe's beats a 2-star crew through Empire every time.
Is the Empire Today 'today-only' price actually a deal?
Request dated, itemized proposals for Empire Today and Lowe's Flooring Installation using the same project details. Compare the included work, optional items, recurring charges and payment terms before deciding.
What about LL Flooring (formerly Lumber Liquidators)?
For LVP/laminate specifically (most popular FL flooring), LL is competitive. For tile, Lowe's and Home Depot win. For specialty wood, LL beats both.
Should I just hire an independent FL flooring contractor?
Search for 'flooring installation [your FL city]' and contact 3 local pros. Get a written 1-year labor warranty before signing.
Consumer resources
Use these official resources when evaluating an offer. They provide general guidance and do not establish a winner between these options.
- FTC: checking home-repair offers and written agreements — General consumer guidance; not evidence of either brand's price or performance.
Browse Florida Flooring Listings
These public listings share the broad flooring category. Inclusion does not confirm that a business supplies the products or specialist services discussed above. Ask about the exact work, credentials and current availability before requesting a quote.
FLOCO Decking Systems
ClaimTypical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more
Typical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more
Typical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more
Indian River Flooring
ClaimTypical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more
Royal Rug and Flooring
ClaimTypical flooring services: Tile installation, Hardwood install, Luxury vinyl plank, +3 more