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Home carpeting DIY - Is it easy to do or should you hire a pro?

Hi, Is layign down carpeting something that best left to the professionals or is it fairly easy to do? We would consider ourselves to be a very handy couple of have a fairly extensive set of tools (and have ready to access to Home Depot / Lowe's). Both areas to be carpeted have no angles or would require any strange cuts. Any help / guidance would be appreciated! Thanks.

Public Comments

1. It takes experience and they use a carpet stretching tool, otherwise you end up with wrinkles or loose fit. I'm pretty handy but I wouldn't try it.
2. carpet installation is fairly easy but can be a mess if not installed correctly, the square rooms should make it easier as long as the carpet is wide enough for the room, otherwise a splice will have to be made. tools you will need are simply tack strips that are nailed along the wall, to hold the carpet down. make sure that the molding is about a half an inch off the floor. Some people may do things different but this is the way we did it in our house. cut the carpet to fit but not too short, lay the carpeting down and use a carpet stretcher along one wall and stretch away. Mind you I am not a professional but am just your average do-it-yourselfer but we have had alot of compliments on our carpet. So if I can do it anyone can in my eyes
3. The complexity increases with seams, closets, offsets, and stairs. I always weigh the risk of of what I'm spending on material, what it would take to have it done, vs. to have to scrap the material and undo and redo.
4. Yes, you CAN do it. But it's one of those tasks that you end up wishing you'd turned over to a pro. For one thing, a small mistake can ruin a lot of carpet in a hurry and can't be undone. Careful planning is critical, and installation calls for some special tools (though you can rent them). And maneuvering big rolls of carpet can be backbreaking work. If you've ever installed carpet (I have) you will appreciate how efficiently the pros do it. Want to see what's involved? Check this video clip from This Old House and study the step by step instructions: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1639437,00.html?xid=yahoo-answers&partner=yes If you want to save money, go ahead and remove the old carpeting and pad. Talk to your installer first to see how much this will save.