You can’t wait to install a new carpet in your house. But you are busy; with your job, family, and life responsibilities, you need specifics about the installation process to plan accordingly.
How long does it take for carpet to be installed?
Carpet installation involves many factors, so this answer can vary depending on your home. Installing the carpet itself is straightforward, but there are other tasks to consider during this renovation project.
If you are ready to learn more about carpet installation, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to understand the timeline for this job and the different circumstances that can affect its installation timeframe.
Table of Contents
- How Long Does Carpet Installation Take?
- 6 Factors That Can Affect Carpet Installation Time
- How Long Does It Take To Install Carpet?: A 5-Step Process
- Carpet Installation FAQs
- Call the Local Experts at Interior Motives Flooring To Replace or Upgrade Your Carpet
How Long Does Carpet Installation Take?
Many factors are involved in carpet installation, but crews can often install 900-2000 square feet of carpet in a day. Yet every situation is unique. When furniture and flooring need to be removed, the process takes longer. Setting aside a day for carpet installation is best so there aren’t any surprises.
6 Factors That Can Affect Carpet Installation Time
Carpet is the largest flooring segment in the industry; it made up 48.4% of the flooring market in 2020. New carpet can give you the new look you desire.
Getting a new carpet is exciting, but you must know what to expect to plan your days around the installation. Keep in mind that every job is different.
And in the end, the most important thing to remember is that the quality of the installation matters more than the time it takes.
#1: The Installation Crew
The crew size affects how long a job will take. For example, will two or four people be installing the carpet? In addition, the crew’s experience helps with efficiency. The more carpets they have installed, the faster they should be.
Interior Motives Flooring has been serving Auburn and its surrounding areas since 1989. When it comes to quality flooring, you can trust Interior Motives Flooring to find the best solution to fit your needs.
Contact us today to learn how long your carpet installation should take.
#2: The Total Square Footage
The bigger the space, the more carpet that needs to be installed. The more square footage you have, the more time the installation process will take.
You can use Bankrate’s carpet calculator to estimate the carpet needed. Of course, contact a professional carpet installer to measure your space to get accurate pricing and recommendations.
#3: Size and Shape of the Areas
Carpets come in 12 feet wide rolls, so if your room is wider than 12 feet, you will need more carpet. Therefore, larger rooms require seams, which take longer.
Oddly shaped rooms, with walls jutting out, make more cuts necessary, leading to a longer installation time.
#4: Carpet on Stairs
Carpet is a good choice for stairs as it is less slippery than wood, making it safer, especially for children and the elderly.
Yet staircases can be tedious as you have to install around stair nosings, treads, and risers.
#5: Furniture Removal
Removing all furniture from a room is necessary to install a carpet correctly.
Most times, the homeowners are responsible for removing their furniture from the area getting carpeted.
The installers need the room to be cleared to ensure an even installation. Furniture can cause indentations in the carpet. In addition, installers don’t want the responsibility of moving furniture, as lifting heavy objects can lead to injuries.
Also, no installer wants to be responsible for damaging furniture.
#6: Carpet Design
Patterned carpets can take more time too, but many people love the artistic burst they provide. Nowadays, patterned carpets are becoming trendy.
Some popular designs people purchase include:
- Solids
- Stripes
- Plaids
- Florals
- Geometric patterns
Depending on your house’s style, you may choose a pattern to compliment your rooms. Many people choose designs for living rooms and dining rooms. When installed in a smaller space, patterns can make the room pop, and stripes can make a room appear bigger. You may also choose a carpet with inlays or borders.
More complex patterns are more time-consuming to install because they must be properly aligned.
How Long Does It Take To Install Carpet?: A 5-Step Process
#1: Prepare the Room
Lack of preparation leads to underperformance; preparation is 90% of a task. And the best motto to follow is always to take the time to do the project right the first time.
Start with removing all knick-knacks and furniture. You could move everything to one side of the room if there is no other place to store everything, but this is not ideal and can cause installation problems.
Do everything you can to completely empty the room before the installation crew arrives — this is your responsibility as the homeowner.
The next preparation step is removing the old carpeting and padding, which is done by the carpet installation company.
#2: Take Care of Any Subflooring Needs
You must assess the subflooring to make sure it is in good condition. You can only do this step once the subfloor is exposed. This means you never know what kind of surprise you may find. The subfloor must comply with industry standards.
Answering the following questions can give you an idea of subflooring needs you may have:
- Do new flooring tacks need to be installed?
- You will need new tracks if the old ones are too close to the wall or if they have worn down over time and won’t keep the new carpet in place as they should.
- Is the substrate flat, smooth, and level?
- Is the surface clean? Are there contaminants such as oil, dirt, and adhesive residues to remove?
- Is the floor well secured and supported?
- Are there any gaps or protruding nails?
- Have your pets had a lot of accidents on your old carpet?
- Adding an antimicrobial primer to the subfloor can help future and existing pets not try to mark their territory on the newly installed carpet.
#3: Install the Padding
You never want old padding under a new carpet. Even if it looks clean, it most likely has some elements trapped in it that you don’t want, such as mold and odors.
Carpet padding helps your carpet last longer. Additionally, it insulates the floor, leading to lower heating and cooling costs. It makes the carpet more comfortable by absorbing impact.
Carpet padding also reduces noise, and some can even be soundproof.
#4: Stretch the New Carpet
Every carpet needs a bit of stretching to keep it from bunching up. Not only can puckering look bad, but it can also cause people to trip.
Professionals use tools to stretch the carpet. Starting in the middle of the room, installers work towards the walls to ensure everything is perfectly flat. There should be a smooth carpet flow from one wall to the other.
This can be a bit time-consuming but a necessary step.
#5: Inspect and Clean Up
Here is a helpful final checklist to ensure everything is done correctly:
- Gather up all the supplies and tools to remove them from the space.
- Inspect every inch of the flooring to make sure no corrections need to be made.
- Clean the space and go over the new carpet with a vacuum.
- Relish in the beauty of your new space.
Carpet Installation FAQs
No matter your question, contact Interior Motives Flooring for our professional opinion. It is always best to be well-prepared and well-informed.
Do I Need To Move My Furniture?
Since the carpet has to be stretched, the room has to be empty to ensure this process is done correctly.
Clearing out the room also:
- Gives the installers space to work and move around comfortably
- Helps the work go faster
- Reduces the risk of damaging property, including furniture, walls, doors, etc.
- Saves time in the end
Pack up all small loose items, clear off all surfaces, and remove all furniture.
Some companies will charge extra to move furniture for you, but ideally, the customer ensures the rooms are empty and ready for carpet.
Do I Need To Be Present During Carpet Installation?
It is always best to have an adult present when workers are in your home.
A homeowner should:
- Review details before the installation.
- Confirm the correct carpet is being installed.
- Be available should any issue arise.
Do I Need To Wait Before Walking On My New Carpet?
You can walk on the new carpet immediately these days. In fact, walking on the carpet could help the glue adhere.
However, keeping furniture off the new carpet for 48 to 72 hours is best to prevent indentations.
Call the Local Experts at Interior Motives Flooring To Replace or Upgrade Your Carpet
Interior Motives Flooring is where you can find the local experts (Auburn & surrounding areas) you can trust. As a family-owned business, we have been installing floors for almost 35 years. Our father-son team provides personalized service and care to all our customers.
Installing carpet is a multifaceted job, and many factors influence the timing and quality of the installation. However, Interior Motives Flooring is here to help.
Interior Motives Flooring installs all types of flooring. Contact us to learn more about:
- Hardwood
- Carpet
- Vinyl
- Laminate
- Tile
- Stone look
- Wood look
We also offer the following services:
- Free Design consultations
- Free in-home measurements
- Digital visualizations of flooring in your home
- Flooring tear-out and disposal services
- Custom area rugs
Which high-quality flooring will you choose from our premium selection?
