Carpet installation is an incredible renovation project that provides warmth, sound dampening qualities, and comfort in your home. As a retailer of carpet, we’re often asked what the advantages and disadvantages are of DIY carpet installation vs. using a contractor for carpet installation. That is what we’re going to cover in today’s post.
Each installation type – having professionals do the installation for you or doing it yourself – each has its advantages. Those factors typically focus on cost, effort, tools and equipment, as well as how much time you are willing to invest.

DIY Carpet Installation Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

First off, we’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of DIY Carpet Installation. A major advantage is that you’re going to save money. This is obviously because the cost of installation, labor and old carpet removal/disposal will be eliminated. The only large costs on your end will be the carpet itself and any specialty tools that you might need to rent or buy. However, those costs can add up if you don’t already own them. Another advantage is being able to work on your own schedule. Instead of depending on an installers schedule, you can start the carpet installation whenever you want. You can work at your own pace! Another advantage of DIY carpet installation is that the quality of the project is in your control. For some, this is an advantage, but for others it’s a disadvantage. If you’re meticulous and feel like you will take the time to do it perfectly, then this could be a benefit. If you’ve never installed carpet before, it could definitely be a draw back. If you’re worried about hiring a company only to find out later that they have done a poor job, then this could be an advantage to you.  To learn how to install your own carpet, visit this article.

Disadvantages

There are also some drawbacks of DIY carpet installation. A common issue that many new DIYers run into is that they find the installation to be more difficult than they originally anticipated,  but because you’ve already started the installation, cutting come pieces of the carpet, then your warranty will most likely no longer be honored anymore, so that can present a problem. The cost of the tools can also add up if you don’t already own them, which most people don’t. Many places make you rent certain tools by the day, or even hour, so if you’re not very quick the cost could add up quickly. Some things you’ll need will be a crow bar, pliers, box cutters, tackless strips, knee-kicker, carpet stretcher, or a steam roller. Also, if you’ve done a poor job, there’s no one to help you cover the cost. You’ve got to reorder more out of pocket, or redo the work at your own expense. Installation equipment can be hard to use, especially if you’re new to it, and may cause problems for someone who has never tried to do their own carpet installation before. While carpet installation can be a DIY project, it’s important to remember that it’s also a large undertaking. You’ll be walking or laying on this carpet for years to come, and you want it to hold up. Your babies could take their first steps on this floor. Your pets could be snuggling on this floor every day. Wear and tear will occur, but a good installation helps keep it in the best shape possible, for the longest possible time.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Professional Carpet Installation

Advantages

Professional carpet installation starts with finding a qualified installer. We turn this sometimes disadvantage into an advantage. Because we sell carpet, we also offer carpet installation. We guarantee our clients that the job will be done to 100% satisfaction every time, giving them piece of mind. They also save time having to seek out, call, interview and vet several installers. We turn this into a one-stop-shop process.

We also include carpet installation in the cost of our carpet. While you can always opt to do it yourself, we have tried to make this process as simple as humanly possible. Our price also includes a free measure (as long as a purchase is made), as well as removal and disposal of all old carpet and pad. These are always typically additional costs when using an independent carpet installer. The only additional cost in our carpet installation is the cost of a pad. Our carpet starts at $2.19/sq. ft. and varies depending on the fiber and style of the carpet.

When you call in a pro to install your new carpet, you can expect a certain level of quality and knowledge that the job will be done to the highest of standards. Installing your own carpet could end up in any number of ways, but if you hire those who know the process, you should end up with a job well done.
Even if the worst-case scenario occurs – for example, if you find huge ripples in your new carpet, the seams are showing, or the carpet is lifting away from the walls – you know you have some recourse against the contractor or retailer that installed it. You should always get some sort of warranty when using a professional. You should have the guarantee that the job will be done right the first time, or you won’t have to pay for the repairs. While it can be frustrating if they have to come back to correct issues, at least you can breath easy knowing that it will be fixed.

And what does a good carpet installation look like? First of all, the carpet will meet the walls snugly and without any edges showing. Also, the carpet will be smooth and won’t show any bumps or ridges. Finally, any seams where the installers had to put two sections of carpet together won’t be noticeable at first glance. This is indicative of a job that was done well.

Disadvantages

Some disadvantages of Professional carpet installation (although many are avoided when using Builders Surplus) are the following:

• Spending the time to find, contact, meet and vet numerous contractors to get the best quality and price.
• Issues with scheduling; having to wait to get started if the contractor is booked up for a period of time.
• Having to pay for the installation as well as the add on’s, like removal and disposal.
• Not being happy with the finished product and having them have to return to fix their mistakes.

Some things to look for in a poorly done installation include the following: frayed edges where the carpet meets the wall, seams that don’t match or are aligned improperly, or bumps and ridges in the carpet.
Hopefully this article has been helpful in your decision to do a DIY carpet installation or to hire a professional. At Builders Surplus, you can guarantee that your carpet installation will be affordable, professional, and will come with a warranty. We eliminate the additional costs and include installation in the price of carpet! If you have ANY questions about carpet or carpet installation, please reach out to us or comment below!

 

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!