Getting your home to a desirable state through renovations requires a lot of hard work. Whether this is done by as a DIY project or by professionals, there’s a lot to consider. One thing most people do is lay new flooring. However, they will often find that the doors get in the way of the new carpet so require trimming. But how much does it cost to cut a door after fitting carpet?
On average, you can expect to pay around £60 to have an internal door trimmed and put back on. You will need to hire a carpenter for the job and it’s worth keeping in mind that while some offer a set price for this service, others will charge an hourly rate.
In the UK, the average hourly rate for a domestic carpenter is around £25. This will vary according to several factors including your location and the experience level of the person you hire. Your carpenter will remove the door, trim it to the required size and rehang it for you. How experienced they are will determine how long this process takes. Generally speaking, it shouldn’t be a lengthy project. It shouldn’t take more than an hour; two at most!
In this guide, we’ll be looking at everything you need to know about cutting your door after having new carpet. We’ll discuss the cost as well as what you can expect from your carpet fitter and whether it’s worth taking the project on yourself.
Related Article: Do Carpets Fitters Adjust Doors After Fitting Carpets
DIY vs Hiring A Professional
The cost of hiring a carpenter to trim your internal doors after having a carpet fitted isn’t massively high. When you consider that the average cost is around £60, this certainly isn’t going to break the bank. But then you might consider that buying a wood planer for a door is much cheaper. You can pick up one of these tools for less than the hourly rate of a pro carpenter.
But is it worth it?
If you’ve got the relevant skills to trim your door and successfully rehang it, then opting for a DIY approach is going to be much more affordable. At least, where money is concerned; you will, of course, need to invest a little time.
On the other hand, if you’re not 100% confident that you can do the job correctly, you may end up spending more. Imagine trying to trim down a door only to realise you took off too much. Now, your only option is to buy another door and suddenly you’ve spent far more than you had initially hoped!
Should You Trim A Door Before Or After Carpet?
No matter what type of flooring you are installing, it’s normal to trim and hang doors before you start. Any carpet fitter will tell you that it’s much easier to do things this way and it’s become standard practice in this business.
Normally, you would need to leave about half an inch below the door before you install carpet. This allows for both the underlay and the carpet pile. However, this measurement largely depends on the type and thickness of carpet you’re going to lay. This is why it’s incredibly important to take your own measurements and cut the door to the desired size.
People also wonder about how close to the carpet the door should be. There are some homeowners that are concerned that having it too close will wear out the carpet fibres. While there is some truth to this, and you shouldn’t have the door rubbing on the carpet, it should just make contact with it. This will prevent wear and tear but will also ensure that there isn’t a draft under the door.
FAQ: Do Carpet Fitters Shave Doors?
The burning question on everyone’s lip is whether carpet fitters will shave the door for you. There isn’t a simple or straightforward answer to this. It largely depends on the carpet company you are working with.
Some of the larger companies that operate nationwide do offer this type of service. One example of this is Carpetright. Their fitters will remove, trim and rehang a door at your request. Of course, this doesn’t come for free and you’ll need to be willing to pay extra for this service.
Some smaller companies and even self employed carpet fitters might also offer this service but it isn’t commonplace. It’s worth speaking to your carpet fitter beforehand to determine exactly what they offer and what fees are attached.
Moreover, you should keep in mind that your carpet fitter might remove the door if it is in the way. In this case, you’ll normally find that they won’t rehang it but will advise you to hire a carpenter to trim it.
Conclusion
Your new carpet is in place and you’re super proud of the look of your home. However, you’ve also noticed that your door is far too close to the carpet. It might not even be possible to open and close it. So, what’s the answer?
Well, you’ll need to have your door cut to fit properly over the carpet. The best way to do this is to hire a carpenter. While some will charge an average hourly rate of £25, this type of work normally comes with a set price of around £60.