Anyone install their own carpet?

[FortFunFoSho]

The guy at the store said I will need to use a stretcher.. Sounded a bit more tough than I wanted. but looking for any input you guys might have.

Also, I have been looking at instock carpet at the Depot. Any comments on that? Should I go to a local place? But I don't even know what I am looking for to tell the quality that is.... Any comments?

 

[BigJ]

Well even professionals have issues with the carpet bunching (as in, rising into a small hump) in certain places, so I'd assume you'd probably have a lot of problems with that if you're an amateur.

If you want it to look nice, either have a friend come over who has done it before, and done it well, hire a proffessional, or pray you do a good job.

 

[dman]

One of those things that it's probably not worth the risk of messing the job up to save a few bucks. Get a few other quotes to install. If you miss cut it, or do a bad seam you'll know it and be unhappy.

Of course, if it's a simple square room, it probably is hard to mess up but still a lot of work to install. Even in that situation I'd think you could get a few carpet shops to give you a decent price that it's not worth it to do yourself.

 

[shilala]

I've done it before and it takes skill to know how much to stretch it. It also takes skill to cut it in after it's stretched.
It's well spent money to have real installers do it. It's not very expensive compared to carpet.
I imagine self-installation would be a perfect out for the manufacturer if you had a warranty issue.
The wife and I recently installed prefinished 3/4" hardwood flooring in our whole downstairs and it was cake. I had to borrow $5000 worth of tools from a contractor buddy to make it happen that way, but it really was easy. We love it, too.

 

[isildur]

with the right tools, somebody who's done it before, and a straightforward room shape?
not hard at all - my uncle brought over his stretcher and tools and he and I layed 3 moderate sized bedrooms in a saturday afternoon. a year later: no bunching + no seam breaks.

by yourself, with no stretcher or seam tool or in a complex room layout?
yellow-pages are your friend.

 

[Vette73]

You don;t need a stretcher if you use glue.

I have found 3 parts elmers and 1 part wood glue mixed and then put in the microwave for 30seconds works the best. Now my microwave is 1000watts, so adjust your time using the Pi weight thickness method so you don;t scorce your glue.

 

[dullard]

I don't see the point in self-installing carpet. If it is quality carpet and pad, installation adds maybe 10%-15% to the total cost. Well worth it for delivery, removal of old flooring, cutting, stretching, time, tools, etc. If it is crappy carpet, then yes installation is a bigger percent of the cost, but you are paying next to nothing anyways. At work, we just had 50 yards of (cheap commercial) carpet in 4 rooms, a closet, and a hallway for $500+tax (that included installation). So on either end, professional installation just isn't that expensive.

 

[EagleKeeper]

It can be a pain to do it properly. Most installers use two person teams.

Also, do not skimp on the pad. They are cheap and really help the wer on the carpet and also make the carpet feel easer on the feet.

A good pad under the carpet can make you not realize that there is a flooring surface underneath.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

what they said. It could be done, especially if it's just a rectangular or square room, but probably not worth it.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

Ok. I am definately going to have them install the carpet.

What about where I buy it. I was looking at Home depot at the in-stock stuff. It looked fine to me. What should i be looking for? What is good carpet from bad carpet? What price difference should i expect to pay and is it worth it?

 

[FortFunFoSho]

Btw - Thanks for all your responses thus far!

 

[eelw]

It's not difficult to install carpeting. You can rent a carpet kicker from Home Depot for like $20 for the day. It would only take 2-3 hours to remove, measure, cut and install the new carpet.

 

[MoPHo]

is this slang for a hair transplant down there?

 

[Brutuskend]

I used to work with a guy laying carpet. It's not hard once you've been shown how to do it correctly. However, to do it right is a good thing. If you don't stretch it properly, it will look like crap...

Do the opposing corners FIRST, all four if possible. Then work on getting it right across the middle.

(Did that make sense? )

 

[slightlyhuman]

i lay carpet, laid 120 feet of carpet today. hire someone. if you have no experience then you will be lost.

it's not easy.

 

[Brutuskend]

It's also HARD on your knees. At least if you use a knee kicker....

Hell, it's hard on your knees ANYWAY!

 

[FortFunFoSho]

Can Anyone comment on the quality of carpet? I am looking at some instock stuff at Depot. What should I look for?

 

[NissanGurl]

My step-dad owned his own carpet cleaning business for a while, which he also did installations. He made me work with him since I was about 10 years old (child labor laws be damned). I would definitely recommend letting someone with experience do it for you. You really need the proper tools to do it right: carpet kicker, seam tape, seam iron, tack strips. It can be learned fairly easily if you watch someone do it. In your situation though, letting someone install for you is the way to go. As to the quality of the carpet...depends on what you're wanting. Make sure you know the thickness you want: shag, berber, indoor/outdoor, etc. I would almost recommend laying on a piece of it (then again I enjoy stretching out on the floor occassionaly). Also be aware of how the carpet will handle stains and how it will hold dirt. Whatever you decide just don't skimp on the padding though.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
Can Anyone comment on the quality of carpet? I am looking at some instock stuff at Depot. What should I look for?

It depends on the type...for plush carpet, for example, the denser the better. Dig your fingers into it and try to seperate the pile enough to see the backing. do this on a few different grades and you'll see the difference.

Other types, like berber, I'm not sure.

Sometimes "Remnant" carpet warehouses offer better deals...that is if they have something you like in stock.

Good luck!

 

[FortFunFoSho]

I am looking to get shag.Depot has it at around a dollar a sqft. I think.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's not difficult but on the other hand it is easy to fvck it up if you don't know what you're doing.

I would hire a professional.