Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Carpet Installation
Carpet Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Carpet Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Carpet Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Carpet Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Carpet Installation labor cost? What are the important Carpet Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Carpet Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Carpet Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Carpet Installation expect to pay between $1.07 to $1.33 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Carpet Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Carpet Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Carpet Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Carpet Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the carpet may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Carpet Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Carpet Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Carpet Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Carpet Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Carpet Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Carpet Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Carpet Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All carpet from the same manufacturers lot
- A detailed carpet layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the carpet meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- All carpet will be installed flat and smooth - with no buckling, creasing at any point; all carpet edges will be flat and securely attached, along the entire length of the edge
- Ceiling and wall cutouts will be neat, uniform and no larger than necessary; any air gaps around the cutout(s) will be insulated and sealed; the cutout(s) will not be visible when cover plates are installed
- The carpet layout will be planned to minimize the number and total length of (non-perimeter) seams
- All carpet seam / joint location(s) must be approved before work begins; typically, seams should not be located in areas of high traffic exposure, visual prominence or bright lighting
- All carpet seams will be joined and edge glued per manufacturer approved methods; finished seam will be straight, flat and completely free of adhesive residue
- All carpet sections will be installed with pile oriented in the same direction; whenever possible, carpet pile should slant toward the primary room entrance
- All carpet edge seams will be concealed completely under base molding; the molding will be straight to within 1/8 inch in 10 feet and rest flush directly on top of carpet
- Apply a uniform thickness of carpet, with no voids or gaps at openings
- The carpet will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
Carpet Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Carpet Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the carpet work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of carpet, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order carpet; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of carpet; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Review material choices for Carpet Installation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Carefully remove fixtures, fittings, finish plates, grilles, knobs, pulls and trim that will be reinstalled later; label and safely store these items for later use
- Remove existing carpet (optional)
- Arrange for existing carpet to be recycled after removal (optional)
- Install carpet to fit closely around fixtures and fittings
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Install trim plates or pieces
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
