Skirting - fill or replace? And carpet vs decorating first

DD265

Apologies if the photo ends up being massive...

Every corner in the room has gaps like this (in fact most of the house..). We're having the ceiling skimmed, having a new carpet fitted and fully decorating the room. I'm not certain whether to try and fill the gaps in the skirting, or replace it. We don't have a mitre saw (or box) but we do have a hacksaw and a jigsaw, plus a circular saw. If we replace the skirting, would I be looking to use a solid piece for each length (which aren't going to fit in the car) or can I use multiple pieces, fit carefully, and fill to make them appear like a single piece?

Also, I'm reading conflicting advice on whether to have the new carpet fitted before we paint, or afterwards. I don't know how the thickness of the new carpet compares to the old carpet, so there is a chance we'd have to move the skirting boards anyway, and I appreciate the process of laying the carpet could damage paintwork. On the other hand, it feels like a lot of pressure to make sure that the new carpet stays immaculate, and I imagine painting the skirting behind the carpet could be tricky even with tape etc, so I can see it both ways. I do intend to do a neater job than the previous decorator!

FreeBear

Have a look at "scribing skirting" - Just one of many guides - http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/how-to/woodworking/skirting-boards - It is not difficult, and you only ever need to do one end, so plan the cuts accordingly. Or you could just fill the gaps with decorator's caulk and paint over it.

Skirting boards should be painted & fitted before carpets are installed. The paintwork is unlikely to be damaged when the carpet is laid. If you are going to fit the gripper bars yourself, leave a 6-8mm gap between the skirting and grippers. When the carpet is stretched, the edges are tucked down in to the gap. If (and it is a big if) any paintwork is damaged, it will be along the bottom edge where the carpet is pushed in - The carpet will hide the damage.

missile

Filling that gap would be a lot easier than fitting new boards. 
Always decorate before fitting carpet.

Homer_home

You would need a coping saw to cut internal mitres on skirting - do you own one?

Chaulk will do the job

Lay the carpet last unless the fitters are cack handed there will be no damage to your paintwork 

TELLIT01

Removing and replacing skirting is a major job.  Filling the gaps is fiddly but not difficult.  Carpet is laid up to skirting, not under it so you won't have to adjust skirting to the thickness of the carpet.

DD265

Got it - fill the skirting, decorating before carpet. Thanks all

Alanp

Yes, fill the gaps with decorators caulk or an over paintable silicone, lightly sand if paint isn’t too bad and paint first but allow a few days for the paint to fully harden before fitting the carpet