How to Install Carpet

Professional carpet installation costs $3-$8 per square yard in labor - DIY installation of a simple rectangular room saves $200-$600. You'll need a knee kicker and carpet stretcher (rent for $30-$60/day), but the process is straightforward for rooms without seams.

Step 1: Calculate Carpet Needed

Use the Carpet Calculator to get square yards needed. Add 10% waste for rooms under 12 feet wide, 15% for rooms requiring seams. Buy all carpet from the same dye lot. Order padding separately: 7/16 inch rebond foam padding is standard for most rooms.

Step 2: Remove Old Flooring

Pull up existing carpet starting at a corner. Remove tack strips if damaged - old tack strips can often be reused if still firmly attached. Fill any holes in the subfloor and ensure it's clean, flat, and dry.

Step 3: Install Tack Strips

Nail tack strips around the perimeter 2/3 of the carpet thickness away from the wall. The tacks point toward the wall. Use a power nailer for wood subfloors, construction adhesive plus concrete nails for concrete. Wear gloves - the tacks are sharp.

Step 4: Install Padding

Cut padding to fill the room edge-to-edge, butting up against the tack strips without overlapping them. Staple every 6 inches along seams and every 12 inches across the field. For concrete, use carpet-specific adhesive. Tape seams with duct tape.

Step 5: Cut and Position the Carpet

Roll out carpet with 3-4 inches of excess on all sides. Cut with a carpet knife using a straightedge. For rooms requiring seams, use a seam iron and seam tape to bond both pieces. Place seams perpendicular to windows so light doesn't catch them.

Step 6: Stretch and Attach

Hook one end of the carpet onto the tack strips along one wall. Use a knee kicker to hook the opposite wall. For rooms over 10 feet wide, use a power stretcher. Stretched carpet stays flat; unstretched carpet buckles within a year.

Step 7: Trim and Tuck

Trim excess carpet along walls using a carpet knife and broad knife - cut 1/2 inch from the wall, then tuck the edge between the tack strip and the wall. At doorways, install transition strips to cover the raw edge.

Pro Tips

• Rent a power stretcher for rooms over 10 feet - knee-kicked-only carpet buckles faster.
• Seam placement matters: keep seams out of high-traffic paths and away from direct sunlight.
• For Berber carpet, use thinner padding (3/8 inch or less).
• Always cut carpet from the back with a carpet knife.