How hard is it to fit carpets?

Gonzo1987

I need to replace the carpet in my rented flat, due to it being stained beyond help.

How easy is it to fit carpets yourself? or should I just get a professional in?

GlynD

That would depend on how good you are with your hands. I'll be honest though: the price of fitting a new carpet isn't that much if you have it done by the shop which is supplying the carpet.

A lot also depends on the type of carpet. If it's really expensive stuff then I'd recommend a professional fitter. If it's just a cheapo then you and a Stanley type knife with a good sharp blade (be prepared to change the blade during fitting as it dulls) and a bit of common sense would usually produce a fair result.

Cornucopia

Also depends on the existing fittings (gripper rods?) and the standard of finish desired.

The issue is that to get a good finish with gripper rods, you need a piece of equipment called a knee-kicker, which is quite expensive and requires some skill to use.

London50

Hi

I have fitted my own carpets in the past without too much of a problem but like most diy jobs you need the right tools and a LOT of self control. The only reason I did it myself was that I did not have either the spare cash or the chance to be able to take time off work to get carpet fitters in. OK I was lucky it was a "square" room with a lot of furniture to anchor it down and "hide" the odd mistake but these days I would get a professional in as the blood.sweat and tears {along with sore hands and knees}made me think that I would sooner pay ANYONE else than try it again.

GlynD

London50 wrote: »

Hi

I have fitted my own carpets in the past without too much of a problem but like most diy jobs you need the right tools and a LOT of self control. The only reason I did it myself was that I did not have either the spare cash or the chance to be able to take time off work to get carpet fitters in. OK I was lucky it was a "square" room with a lot of furniture to anchor it down and "hide" the odd mistake but these days I would get a professional in as the blood.sweat and tears {along with sore hands and knees}made me think that I would sooner pay ANYONE else than try it again.

My feelings exactly. I was thinking though: if OP's flat is quite small and he's just fitting a nylon backed carpet or something along those lines, he might get away with it easy enough. He'll just need a knife, a straight edge and some double sided tape. Would you agree?

London50

@ GlynD

Yes I agree, it is just when you see the experts doing these type of jobs they make it look so easy and too many people get caught out by that type of things these days {that is until you start yourself}. As others have said it depends just how much skill the OP has :0)

missprice

Not the easiest thing to do unless you have some skill in the first place.
I have "fitted" a couple by myself but only ever in square rooms, soon as its got a chimney I won't touch it.
Also depends on the quality you require. Good fitters of carpets (and kitchens for that matter) can make a huge difference to a low quality carpet and a non square room.

Stooby2

If it's a rented flat is the OP responsible for replacing the carpet in the first place? And in any case, the landlord might want it done professionally.

Cornucopia

Carpet tiles might be an alternative (much easier).

GlynD

Cornucopia wrote: »

Carpet tiles might be an alternative (much easier).

What a great idea.

torbrex

Foam backed carpets are relatively easy to fit as long as you have a strong back and as others have said, a sharp knife.
I use a staple gun rather than double sided tape to fix down the edges.

I always start with the smallest room first, that way I can measure it out and lay the carpet down flat in one of the larger rooms and mark out the required shape leaving a few inches all round for final trim.