Empire Today Review 2026: Convenience-First Flooring for Busy Homeowners

Overview of Empire Today

This review looks at Empire Today, a well-known name in residential flooring. Since 1959, Empire Today has focused on making things easy for homeowners by bringing flooring options and professional installation right to your door. You don’t have to visit a showroom or manage separate contractors.

Empire Today operates across 80 geographic markets nationwide, with 40 national hubs serving mid-to-large metro areas across the United States. Rather than relying on traditional retail locations, the company focuses on a streamlined, end-to-end customer experience that combines product selection, measurement, and installation through a single provider.

Why We Like Empire Today

Empire Today stands out for its simple approach. With in-home consultations, a representative brings many samples to your house, measures your space, and gives you a full price estimate right away. This lets you see how the flooring looks in your own lighting and décor before you decide.

If you want a guided installation from start to finish without dealing with several vendors, Empire offers convenience that many local stores and contractors can’t provide. In-stock products can often be installed as soon as the next day, which is helpful for urgent projects.

Pros and Cons of Empire Today

Many homeowners like Empire Today, but its service has some tradeoffs. Here’s a look at the pros and cons, based on customer reviews and independent research.

Pros

• Convenient in-home consultation so you can see samples in your own space
• All-inclusive pricing that covers materials, labor, removal, and cleanup
• Wide selection of flooring materials across all major categories
• Next-day installation available on in-stock products
• 80 markets nationwide with 60+ years of brand recognition
• Low Price Guarantee — will beat a competitor’s written estimate

Cons

• Pricing is typically higher than buying materials and hiring independently
• No itemized pricing is published online, so it’s hard to compare value before the in-home visit
• Installations are done by independent contractors, not company employees, so quality can vary by location
• One-year installation warranty is shorter than many independent flooring retailers offer
• Warranty claim disputes are an issue mentioned in customer reviews

What Empire Today Offers

Empire Today offers full-service flooring to make buying and installation easier. Homeowners can pick from carpet, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and tile options.

During the in-home consultation, you get product samples, measurements, and a project estimate. Local independent contractors handle the installation. The all-inclusive quote usually covers moving furniture, removing old flooring, adding new underlayment or padding, trim, thresholds, and cleanup after the job. Subfloor repairs and prep work might cost extra, so check what’s included before you sign.

Popular Flooring Options From Empire Today

• Carpet Flooring: One of Empire Today’s most popular categories, especially for bedrooms and living areas. Available in berber, plush, patterned, frieze, and twist-pile styles, including pet-friendly and stain-resistant options.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): A durable, waterproof option commonly chosen for kitchens, basements, and high-traffic spaces. Empire’s LVP lines include its exclusive WhisperHOME and Everwood collections.
• Laminate Flooring: Looks like wood but costs less than hardwood. It’s a practical choice if you want wood-style floors without the extra maintenance or higher price of real wood.
• Hardwood Flooring: A premium option that adds long-term resale value. Empire offers solid and engineered options across a range of species and finishes.
• Tile Flooring: Commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways for durability and moisture resistance. Empire’s tile offerings range from affordable ceramic to premium natural stone options.

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Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customer feedback on Empire Today is mixed. Homeowners who have smooth installations with helpful sales consultants, professional crews, and results that meet expectations are usually very happy. Those who face warranty disputes, inconsistent subcontractors, or communication issues after installation are often much more critical.

The most common complaint in negative reviews is about warranty claims. Empire Today’s installation warranty covers one year of labor, while product warranties depend on the manufacturer. Many reviews mention that warranty claims are often denied, with Empire or its subcontractors blaming the homeowner for the damage instead of the product or installation. It’s a good idea to document your floor’s condition at installation and keep all your paperwork.

What Satisfied Customers Say

“From start to finish the process was smooth, professional and fast. The sales rep came to my home with every sample for me to look through. He explained the difference between each one and helped me figure out the right one for my needs. There was never a high pressure sale. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. The installers were also top notch!” — Renee H., Kansas City (Empire Today)

“Everything was great! I am completely satisfied with the whole process. The installers were great. I have had many compliments on new floor.” — Chris S. (BBB)

“From the appointment to the installation everything was great. We even had an issue with weather on our installation date and they changed it with no problems. Carpet looks awesome, great job even on staircase with turns. Will definitely be using Empire again.” — Rich (Modernize)

Where Customers Report Frustrations

“We paid over $10k for LVP flooring in our house. Not even nine months later, one of the planks began to rot up against the wall. After painfully requesting a rep come out and review the rotting plank, it took several weeks before they finally returned with a response. They were NOT going to honor the warranty and repair the damage, claiming that our 17-year-old arthritic dog, who can barely hold himself up, must have clawed at the plank, destroying it.” — Donny (Modernize)

“My wife and son hired Empire to remove carpeting in the basement and install laminate flooring. The installers did a good job and the finished product was good. My problem is that the installers started to leave with the extra materials even though my wife specifically asked them to leave the extra pieces… He refused to give her the name of the product that we purchased so that we could buy more to complete the bathroom install ourselves. He said that it was ‘company policy’ not to give that information if we were not using them for the additional bathroom installation.” — John M. (BBB)

How Much Does Empire Today Cost?

While Empire Today does not publish pricing on its website, you can expect to pay $10 to $14 per square foot for Empire Today flooring installed. The company provides specific pricing through its personalized in-home consultations. Because pricing bundles materials and labor into a single estimate, costs can vary widely between projects.

Empire Today Cost by Flooring Type

Average room estimates assume roughly 200 square feet of flooring. Total project costs may vary based on subfloor repairs, removal of old flooring, trim work, and labor rates in your area.

Factors Influencing Cost

• Flooring Material Selection: The biggest driver of overall cost. Carpet and luxury vinyl are generally more affordable than tile and hardwood.
• Square Footage: Larger areas increase both material and labor costs. A 500 sq. ft. minimum applies in most Empire service areas (350 sq. ft. in select markets including Philadelphia, Hartford, New York, Boston, South Hackensack, and Baltimore).
• Subfloor Condition: Repairs or leveling will increase your project cost and may be quoted separately, so check this before you start.
• Installation Complexity: Stairs, unusual layouts, and extra trim work can increase labor time. Stairs are not included in most Empire promotional pricing.
• Location and Labor Rates: Regional labor costs vary; expect higher totals in major coastal markets.

Financing Options

Empire Today offers two financing plans through the Empire Today credit card, issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., subject to credit approval:

• 12-Month No Interest Plan: No interest if the full balance is paid within 12 months. If the balance is not paid in full within the promotional period, interest is charged from the original purchase date at the standard purchase APR.
• 48-Month Installment Plan: A special rate of 11.99% APR with 48 equal monthly payments. On a $2,000 purchase, this works out to approximately $54/month with a total repayment of $2,520.

Important: For new accounts, the standard APR for purchases is 28.99%. This rate applies if you carry other balances on the card, miss a payment, or do not pay the full balance within the 12-month promotional period. Financing terms are accurate as of January 1, 2026, but may change. Check current offers during your consultation or call 1-800-431-5921.

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How Empire Today Compares to Other Flooring Providers

Empire Today competes with flooring brands, retailers, and contractors who offer installation. What sets Empire apart is its in-home shopping experience combined with full-service installation. Customers can see flooring samples in their own home and schedule installation with one provider, often as soon as the next day.

Empire Today vs. Floor Coverings International

• Cost: $3,000 to $10,000 for an average project
• Convenience: Also offers in-home consultations with materials, installation, and cleanup included; offers a stronger two-year installation warranty compared to Empire’s one-year
• Selection: Both offer a wide range of flooring types across similar categories

Explore our Floor Coverings International review

Empire Today vs. Floor & Decor

• Cost: $2,000 to $7,000 for an average project; generally lower material pricing, particularly on bulk orders
• Service: Retail-only — does not offer installation; best suited to homeowners with a trusted independent installer already in place
• Availability: Retail store locations in select markets; not available in all areas Empire serves

Explore our Floor & Decor review

What makes Empire Today different is its bundled model. Samples, measurement, pricing, and installation are all handled by one provider, which offers a level of convenience that retail-only competitors and most local contractors can’t match. The downside is that the all-inclusive pricing makes it harder to know if the material cost is competitive before your in-home visit.

Final Verdict: Should You Choose Empire Today?

Empire Today is a good choice for homeowners who want convenience, quick service, and a managed experience from start to finish, even if it’s not the cheapest option. The in-home model, wide selection, and next-day installation set it apart. When things go well, customers are usually very satisfied.

There are a few things to keep in mind: pricing isn’t clear until your in-home consultation, the one-year installation warranty is shorter than some competitors, and warranty claim disputes are common in reviews. To protect yourself, document your floor’s condition at installation, keep all product details and paperwork, and get your warranty terms in writing before you sign.

If you want a hands-off, professionally managed flooring project and are okay with paying extra for convenience, Empire Today is a solid choice. If you care most about getting the best value or want to buy your own materials, it’s smart to compare quotes from local installers as well as Empire.

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Modernize Review Hub

Check out the Modernize flooring review hub for more brand reviews, provider comparisons, and cost guides to help you plan your next flooring project.

How We Rate Flooring Contractors

Every flooring contractor on Modernize is rated on a one-to-five scale across seven criteria. Each criterion is scored independently, then weighted by its impact on your installation outcome. Those weighted scores are added together to produce the final star rating.
Here’s what we evaluate and how much each factor counts:

• Licensing & Credentials (22%)
• Customer Experience (20%)
• Workmanship & Installation Quality (18%)
• Responsiveness & Availability (12%)
• Pricing & Transparency (12%)
• Reputation & Market Presence (8%)
• Warranty & Post-Service Support (8%)

Learn more about how we score flooring contractors in our Rating Methodology.