Laying Carpet. Help, advice, information, answers and tips on all types of flooring from laminate and carpet to timber and vinyl

[bluenun]

I have laid laminate flooring and tiled floors before but never fitted a carpet.

I am getting a new one coloured, unpatterned carpet for the lounge and hallway.
Is this something a reasonable DIYer could fit or should I get a professional in?

If I do it myself I would need to buy or hire one of those knee stretchers.

[harry69]

[quote="bluenun"]I have laid laminate flooring and tiled floors before but never fitted a carpet.

I am getting a new one coloured, unpatterned carpet for the lounge and hallway.
Is this something a reasonable DIYer could fit or should I get a professional in?

If I do it myself I would need to buy or hire one of those knee stretchers.[/quote]
Where you hallway is concerned, you can use the old carpet as a template. but allow maybe 3 inch play all the way around..
Then start from one end and work your way to the other stretching as you go..
I was taught my my dad and i believe theres an art to all aspects of flooring, but im sure if you take your time you will be able to get a good result..
any advice i can offer just ask away..

[bluenun]

Thanks for the response, I am glad someone did.

My hallway is an L shape so I will need to buy a square, there will be a lot of carpet waste that way but I do not want a join.

The lounge is long and straight with no alcoves so I think that might be easier than the hall.

So, do I use a carpet knife to cut along where it meets the skirting boards and then use the knee stretcher to push the carpet onto the grip rods?

[bluenun]

Can anyone help with these questions?

Do I use a carpet knife to cut along where it meets the skirting boards and then use the knee stretcher to push the carpet onto the grip rods or stretch and then cut?

I am buying a felt backed carpet, does that need stretching with a knee kicker stretcher?

[bluenun]

Just thought I would update this thread in case anyone was considering fitting thier own carpet in future.

Got a really good deal on a carpet from Carpetright £15.99 a meter reduced to £6.99 a meter, then another 20% off that.
Put it straight on the car roof so no delivery costs either.

I got 3 quotes to fit it, they all charged £3 a square meter, so about £120.

I fitted the lounge carpet today, took about 3 hours and I am sure a Professional could have done it in an hour but I enjoyed it.
Took my time and made sure I made no mistakes.

Really pleased with the end result. Will do the hallway tomorrow.

[TheDoctor5]

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