Idiot guide to laying a carpet?

polejunkie

I need to carpet my whole house, 3 bedrooms, lounge, stairs, bathroom and hallway.

I have been looking at the £3.75m2 stuff on ebay and have just had a quote from a carpet fitter for 2 rooms which comes to £100. The most important rooms to get done first are the lounge and the youngest boys room.

How hard can fitting a carpet be?

My partner is all for hiring someone but if we do that we cant afford to get a cooker, or much else for the house.

111KAB

Firstly I dont think your £3.75m2 will be a great carpet but it really depends upon how long you want it to last. Secondly don't forget you will need underlay and likely to need gripper for the edges. If you have not laid before I wouldn't attempt it but without knowing the size of the rooms concerned £100 sounds on the top side for fitting. Given the number of rooms you require another suggestion would be to buy a complete roll of carpet (100 sq yds or thereabouts) - this would mean having the same carpet throughout the whole house but you could look around for an auction (bankrupt stock) and possibly find the underlay and gripper as well.

phill99

polejunkie wrote: »

How hard can fitting a carpet be?

Exceedingly. If it was easy, we wouldn't employ carpet fitters.

The pro's make it look it easy, but it is very very easy to make a right lash up and then your carpet is ruined. I'm happy to try most jobs, but never carpet or vinyl fitting.

Get some more quotes and get it done properly

eslick

the idiots guide.............. is to pay the £100 as said its a job for the professionals.

savingmummy

I would let a pro do it!
Also look around for carpets and get some quotes before you decide. We were quoted by 3 different places then found a small independent carpet shop just down the road to where we lived.
Better quality carpets and flooring, free fitting and saved ourselves £300.

ormus

as above. i paid 50 quid to have my stairs and hallway done.
best 50 quid i ever spent.

27col

As above. It only looks easy because you are watching a skilled person doing it. I've had a go many years ago and it is definitely not easy to do a nice looking job.

polejunkie

I just want to hurry up and move in, we are paying rent on 2 places at the moment. If I had the funds to employ someone then I would.
I dont care if it doesnt look professional just as long as there is something down for now. My OH refuses to move until we have carpets but has no concept of costings, just think money grows on trees or magically appears in my wallet.

TUS

Maybe this would help if you do want to have a crack - http://www.findanyfloor.com/pub/pdf/HowToInstall-CarpetFlooring.pdf

27col

It is not really apparent as to why you are asking the question. If you are not prepared to accept the advice of those of us who have tried and failed. Then you have no choice but to put some carpet down without knowing how to do it properly, and then to live with the result, good or bad.

polejunkie

27col wrote: »

It is not really apparent as to why you are asking the question. If you are not prepared to accept the advice of those of us who have tried and failed. Then you have no choice but to put some carpet down without knowing how to do it properly, and then to live with the result, good or bad.

With all due respect the only advice I have been given is to get a pro in to do it, maybe you may have missed the post where I said I couldn;t afford it. The title if I am not mistake says 'Idiot's guide to lay a carpet'

I want to know how to lay a carpet or at least be pointed in the direction of a fitter who will accept buttons and bits of fluff as payment.