You can buy the most beautiful carpet in the world, but if it is fitted badly it will ripple, fray at the doorways, show its seams and wear out early. That is why choosing the right carpet fitters in Kent matters as much as choosing the carpet itself. This guide explains what good carpet fitting looks like, the warning signs of poor workmanship, and the questions to ask before you book.
The Fitted Carpet Company has been supplying and fitting carpets throughout Kent and East Sussex since 1972. Many of our carpet fitters have been with us for years, and our reputation has been built on careful, unhurried workmanship.
What professional carpet fitting should include
Accurate measuring
Good fitting starts before the carpet arrives. Professional fitters measure every room, stair and landing, plan where seams will fall and work out the most efficient way to cut the roll. These procedures are the reason we avoid waste, and ensure pile direction is consistent between rooms and keeps joins out of high-traffic areas.
Uplift and disposal of old flooring
Old carpet, underlay and gripper need to be removed and disposed of responsibly. We arrange uplift and disposal for you as part of the service.
Furniture moving
Our fitters will move most furniture for you, so you do not need to empty the room completely.
Subfloor inspection and preparation
Before laying underlay, the subfloor must be clean, level and sound. Loose or squeaky boards should be secured, protruding nails dealt with, and uneven floors hardboarded where needed. In Kent’s many older properties this step is essential.
Gripper and underlay
Gripper rods need to be fixed at the right distance from the skirting so the carpet can be tensioned and tucked neatly. New underlay should be laid with joins taped and stapled or glued, depending on the subfloor. Find out why replacing underlay is so important.
Correct stretching
Carpet must be stretched with a power stretcher, not just a knee kicker, in larger rooms. Under-stretched carpet ripples and wears quickly, and over-stretched carpet can tear or damage the backing.
Neat seams and doorways
Seams should be barely visible and placed sensibly. Doorways need the right trim or threshold for the adjoining floor, whether that is another carpet, LVT, tiles or wood.
A clean finish
A professional fitting team leaves your home tidy, with offcuts removed and the carpet vacuumed, ready to enjoy.
Stair carpet fitting
Stairs are where the skill of a carpet fitter really shows. Every tread and riser must be tight, the pile must run down the stairs, and winders or curved stairs need careful cutting. Methods include:
- Waterfall – the carpet flows over the nosing and drops straight down to the next tread.
- Hollywood (or cap and band) – the carpet is wrapped tightly around each nosing for a tailored look.
- Stair runners – a strip of carpet with exposed treads either side, ideal for period homes.
Measuring for stairs yourself? See our guide on how to measure for stair carpet.
Warning signs of poor carpet fitting
- Ripples or bumps appearing within weeks.
- Visible seams or seams in doorways.
- Gaps or fraying along skirting boards.
- Loose carpet on stair nosings.
- Incorrect or missing door bars.
- Old underlay reused without discussion.
If you have experienced any of these, it is often a sign the carpet was rushed or fitted without the right tools.
Questions to ask carpet fitters in Kent
- Are your fitters experienced and fully insured?
- Is uplift, disposal and furniture moving included?
- Do you check and prepare the subfloor?
- Are gripper, underlay, trims and thresholds included in the quote?
- Can I see reviews from local customers?
We are happy to answer all of these, and we are proud of our five-star Google reviews from customers across Kent and East Sussex.
Can you fit carpet I have bought elsewhere?
We mainly supply and fit flooring we have measured ourselves, as this lets us guarantee the right quantity and quality. Fitting customer-supplied carpet may be considered by prior agreement, but you must provide accurate measurements, and we do not visit to measure carpet bought online or from another retailer.
Areas our carpet fitters cover
From Hawkhurst we cover a wide area of Kent and East Sussex, including Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook, Staplehurst, Tenterden, Matfield and many more. See all the areas we cover.
We also fit Karndean and Amtico luxury vinyl tiles and commercial flooring across the county.
Carpet fitters Kent: FAQs
How long does carpet fitting take?
A single bedroom can often be fitted in a few hours, while a whole house with stairs and landing may take a day or more. We will give you a clear timescale when we book your fitting.
Do I need to be at home?
We recommend someone is home at the start and end of the job to agree details and inspect the finished work.
When can I walk on new carpet?
Straight away. It is normal to see some shedding with new carpet for the first few weeks; regular vacuuming helps. See our tips on how to clean your carpet.
Preparing your home for carpet fitting day
A little preparation helps your fitting run smoothly:
- Clear small items, ornaments and the contents of shelves and wardrobes.
- Remove anything stored under beds.
- Take down long curtains that touch the floor.
- Make sure fitters have clear access and somewhere nearby to park.
- Let us know about pets, so they can be kept safely away from the work area.
Doors may need trimming after new carpet and underlay is fitted, especially if the new floor is thicker than the old one. We will discuss this with you in advance.
Book experienced carpet fitters in Kent
If you want carpet fitted properly, first time, talk to the team that has been doing it since 1972. Call 01580 753483, book a free measure and quote online, or visit the showroom at Cranbrook Road, High Street, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4AR.