You can have your carpet installed by the carpet company if you can afford to do so, but if you want to be practical, you can do the installation on your own. Installing a carpet is not an easy task though, especially if you’re working on a large area. The good thing is that it’s still possible to do it even if you don’t have someone to assist you. As long as you have the skills and special tools needed, there’s no way you can’t get the job done in no time. Here’s a step by step guide to help you install a new carpet on your own:


Step 1. Prepare the materials you need. For installing a new carpet, you will need a knee kicker tool, a carpet stretcher, a hammer, a utility knife, a tackless strip, measuring tape, safety gloves, and some knee pads to protect your knees while working.

Step 2. Using a hammer, install the tackless strips ½ inch away from the wall or perimeter of the room you’re working in except the doorway. Make sure the strips are positioned tightly against each other and that the pins are facing towards the wall.

Step 3. When you’re done installing the tackless strips, it’s time to lay the underpad. Roll the underpad on the floor and make sure the edge doesn’t overlap the tackless strips. If there is any that overlap the strip, remove it by slicing it through with a sharp knife. Staple the underpad onto the wooden floor to secure it. For concrete floors, use adhesive tape or glue.

Step 4. To install the carpet, roll it on the floor and make sure it overlaps the edge of the floor by 4 inches. You can trim the excess later on when you’re done installing. Measure the dimensions of the room and give an allowance of about 6 inches, and use chalk to mark the dimensions on the carpet. In case you have more than one piece of carpet, make sure you leave an allowance on the edge where they would meet, so that there wouldn’t be any gaps between them. Do this on every extra piece of carpet you use.

Step 5. To attach the carpet to the edge of the wall, you will need a knee kicker tool. A knee kicker tool is used to put the carpet in place by stretching it so that it is held firmly by the tackless strip. You will need to place the tool over the carpet, 3 inches from the wall. Hit the padded end of the tool with your knee so that it pushes the edge of the carpet over the tackless strip. The tacks should hold the carpet in place, but you will need a carpet stretcher to finish the job. A carpet stretcher is somewhat similar to the knee kicker tool, only much longer. Use it to grip the carpet and stretch it for a smooth finish.