What's the best way to go about getting new carpets fitted?

knightstyle

You could save money by lifting and disposing of the old carpet, underlay etc yourself.
Then sort out the floorboards, what is wrong with them?  Plus will you need access under there anytime soon for plumbing, electrics?
Then paint the skirting boards before getting a local company to measure and fit the new carpet.

TELLIT01

If the floorboards are unsupported at the end you need to get that sorted properly before worrying about getting a new carpet laid.  A carpet fitter will not normally do that kind of work.

Gavin83

I'd also recommend going local. We had a quote originally from Carpetright. Then got a quote from the independent place in town which quoted us £1k less for a better quality carpet fitted. They've now fitted it and it's great. We popped in a few times to discuss a few points and it was far easier being able to pop into the shop rather than having to phone.

wigglygiggly

Don't go with Carpetright. We had the whole house done using them and they did a bad job of fitting them and the carpets look terrible only a few years later - and we didn't buy cheap carpet either! 

Ectophile

It sounds like the first thing that needs doing is repairing the joists.  If someone has cut so much out of them that there's nothing left to support the floorboards, then they have been seriously weakened.

danrv

The joists can often be strengthened by adding sister joists. Easy enough DIY job if enough space to use the tools.