DIY Wall-To-Wall Carpet

By Matt Weber

Quick Tips for Wall-to-Wall Carpet

As I sat down to type this article on DIY carpet installation tips, I heard a radio advertisement for Lowe’s offering professional carpet installation of an entire house for only $97. That price covers installation of both carpet and pad (purchased from Lowe’s), but you’ll have to remove and dispose of the old carpet yourself and pay extra for any customization, including installation on steps. Still, assuming you like one of Lowe’s selections of carpets, that’s a pretty attractive offer, because installing carpet often requires specialized tools that most DIY’ers don’t have laying around the house.

Carpet tools are available for rent and purchase, but if you don’t do much carpeting, the cost of the tools probably won’t justify a purchase. And, although you’ll save money by renting, by the time you rent all the required tools you may very well have surpassed $97. Do-it-yourself carpet installation is most appropriate for small rooms that don’t require the use of a carpet stretcher, and if no seams are required—that’s good, too. The small-room scenario eliminates some of the pricier rental items, and according to some of my contractor friends, a small room can sometimes be carpeted with little more than a knee-kicker, a carpet knife and carpet tucker (broad knife).

In light of that caveat, the following are a few guidelines to consider for typical carpet installation.

Recruit help to lift the roll of carpet into the room.

Recruit Help.  A roll of carpet isn’t something you’re going to be able to haul on your shoulder. Its considerable weight and bulk means you’ll need a helper (or two) just to get the carpet into the room to be installed—and to do so without scratching up the house walls or trim with the abrasive underside of the carpet as you weave the roll through the house.