You’ve learned all there is to know about carpet, shopped smart, made your best choice, and now it’s just a matter of waiting for the installer’s right?

You know better, of course. The next step is to be knowledgeable and prepared for the big day when the new carpeting will transform your home.

Being ready for the installation of your carpet will make the entire process go faster and more efficiently.

Furniture is step one. Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas to be carpeted. Our installers will move your furniture, but there may be an additional charge for doing so. If we are moving your furniture you will need to empty the contents of the furniture. We do not disconnect and reconnect electronics such as computer, TV etc.

If you prefer to remove your present floor covering, do it at least one day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, please leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor/or remove the glue from the original underlay.

When carpeting is installed, there is always the possibility that the interior door it is installed under may not swing freely because of the thickness of the new carpet. Some installers will remove the doors to install the carpet and then, if possible, rehang them after the installation is complete. You may need to arrange for a qualified carpenter to cut down the doors if they do not clear the new carpet after the installation.

Installation day requires your presence

Be prepared to be at home the day of installation and be available in case the installation crew has questions. Your presence will ensure that the correct carpet is installed in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, some installers may not be able to give you an exact time of arrival. We suggest you be flexible and keep in touch with your retailer/installers.

We recommend that, prior to the completion of the installation; you walk through the job with the chief installer. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and be clear on any final details.

Shedding is a natural part of a new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the carpet’s surface.

Sprouting refers to small tufts or loops of carpet that become visible after the installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim the loose fibers flush with the surface of the carpet.

Finally, if wrinkles or ripples appear in the carpet, it may be necessary to re-stretch the carpet. Please contact us to have this done professionally.

Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary this is your responsibility.

Installing new carpet will produce waste. Your installer will leave you with any sizeable scraps for future repairs if material is available.

Usually these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site. Check with your retailer before the day of installation so you’re clear about the clean up, if there are added costs to do so, and ask about the plan for carpet remnants.

Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

Carpet installation is a skill that is developed through years of experience, so using professional installers is just plain smart. Also, understanding the basics of carpet installation will increase your knowledge of the process and enhance your confidence in the professionals working in your home. Some of these basics follow.

While seams are inevitable, it’s the professionals who excel at minimizing and hiding seams. They call on years of experience and tried and true methods.

Some carpet styles can show the placement of the seam tape more than others. This is referred to as seam peaking, and it is particularly noticeable in low cut pile and looped carpets. A seam may be excellent and considered ‘tight’ but can still be seen.

You should keep in mind that, occasionally, additional carpet must be ordered to better match patterns at the seams, which will add to the cost when transitioning to other flooring products our installers will try to match the surface heights to minimize transitions.

We want you to be as knowledgeable and well prepared as possible for the installation of your new carpet. It will make that day easier on you and your home and provide you with an enjoyable floor covering experience for years to come.

Be ready to clear the air.

If you are sensitive to odors, good ventilation should be established. Some of the chemicals used in the construction of carpet, as well as the adhesives or hot melt seaming tapes, can have an odor for as long as 48-72 hours after installation. So be prepared to provide the room with adequate ventilation.