How Much Does Carpet Stretching Cost

When your carpet was first laid, it would have looked neat and free from wrinkles. However, over time and with a lot of foot traffic, the quality of the installation will likely deteriorate. This is through no fault of the fitter or yourself; it’s just something that happens. 

But if you think about the price that you paid to have the carpet installed, your bank account might recoil in horror at the thought of any more work. The good news is that having your carpet stretched isn’t an overly expensive job. 

Generally speaking, you can expect a carpet fitter to charge between £70 and £100 for carpet stretching. Of course, this will vary depending on several factors. The national average in the UK currently sits around £85.

What’s even better is that this isn’t a job that’s going to eat into your life. A professional carpet fitter should take no more than one to two hours to complete the job so there’s minimal interference to your life. 

Do You Need A Power Stretcher To Install Carpet?

A power stretcher is a tool that carpet fitters use for a large area; typically anything above 3 square metres. Some carpet fitters even use power stretchers in smaller areas and only opt for manual tools, like a knee kicker for attaching the carpet to the tacks. 

When installing carpet, it is vital that it is stretched so that wrinkling and buckling are far less likely. Of course, they will happen over time but you’ll have a much longer life out of your carpet when you use a power stretcher. 

In fact, if you purchase carpet that you’re going to install yourself, a lot of manufacturers now insist you use a power stretcher during installation. If you don’t, then there is a chance that you will void your warranty.

Can You Install Carpets Without A Stretcher?

For larger areas, carpet fitters will use a power stretcher to ensure that the carpet is fully stretched and fitted tightly from wall to wall. On the other hand, they’ll opt for a knee kicker when working in smaller areas, which does the same thing but is a manual tool. 

While it is possible to install a carpet without the use of a power stretcher or knee kicker, we wouldn’t recommend it. Neither would most professionals. You see, while the carpet can be neatly laid out over the floor, it won’t retain its shape for very long.

You will notice that carpet installed without a power stretcher or knee kicker will begin to wrinkle far more quickly. You’ll find a lot of ‘guides’ online giving information on how to install carpet without a stretcher but the results will be inferior and temporary. 

Is It Worth It To Stretch Carpet?

One thing that you should keep in mind is that if you have already had your carpet stretched once, you shouldn’t have it done a second time. Generally speaking, the second time a carpet starts to wrinkle or buckle, it needs to be replaced. 

However, if this is the first time you’re having problems with it then carpet stretching is a great way to extend the life of your flooring. If you leave it buckled then it will become damaged more easily and so you’ll have to replace it much sooner than you would have if you’d have had it stretched. 

Moreover, having a carpet stretched makes it much safer. Imagine trying to walk over a wrinkled carpet; there’s a good chance of tripping. This is important in any case but especially if there are vulnerable people in the home that are more prone to trips. 

Finally, if your carpet is stretched, it will have a much greater aesthetic appeal. Nobody wants an ugly looking carpet but when it begins to wrinkle and buckle, that’s exactly what you’ll be left with. 

For the cost of carpet stretching and for how long it’ll improve the lifespan of your carpet, it’s certainly something worth considering. 

Can Old Carpet Be Stretched?

If you have noticed that your carpet has begun to buckle and wrinkle, you should sort the problem sooner rather than later. Leaving it can cause it to become worse and then you may have no choice but to completely replace the carpet. 

Regardless of how old the carpet is, provided it’s still in decent condition, you should be able to stretch it. 

You’ll likely need to have a professional come and do this for you. As we mentioned earlier in this guide, this isn’t something that will break the bank nor will it take a lot of time. 

That said, if this is the second time that your carpet has started to wrinkle then the chances of having it successfully restretched again aren’t good. At this point, you will need to have the old carpet removed and a new one installed. Always go for a high quality carpet and a fully qualified fitter to ensure the most superior finish. 

Recent Article: What Tools Do You Need For Carpet Installation

Conclusion

Modern carpets are pretty durable and will last a long time. However, as heavy foot traffic is passed over them and as the carpets soak up moisture, they will begin to buckle and wrinkle. This means having them restretched to fit in the room tightly and without wrinkles. 

This job should be done by a professional carpet fitter. The good news is that it won’t cost the earth. The average UK price for this service is just £85. What’s more, it can be done in as a little as an hour so you won’t have to take a huge chunk of time out of your day.