As with most trade jobs, carpet fitting is not something one can just do without any prior training. Sure, you could get some carpet and lay it on the floor but that doesn’t mean the result will be what you expect.
So, if there’s training involved in becoming a carpet fitter, surely that means that it’s not an easy job, right? Well yes and no. Learning how to install carpet takes some time and you’ll need to undergo formal training. But once you’ve learned how to do it, it’s a skill you’ll have for life and the career opportunities are excellent.
You might decide to work for a large national company or you may want to become a self employed carpet fitter.
However, you must also think about the physical demands on your body and this is what makes carpet fitting a challenging job. You’ll be working physically for most of your day and a lot of this involves being down on the floor. This can be demanding on your knees and back so it’s important to take good care of your body.
Moreover, you’ll often have to lift or move heavy items such as rolls or carpet and furniture which can also take its toll. This should by no means put you off doing what is a very rewarding job, but it is something you should be mindful of.
How Much Do Carpet Fitters Earn?
When you’re thinking about what career path to take, one of the things you’ll wonder is how much money you can make. Nobody wants a job that doesn’t even cover the bills so it’s a good idea to educate yourself on what you might earn as a carpet fitter.
The good news is that carpet fitters are on a decent wage. The national average currently sits at a little more than £32,000 a year. That’s around 8% higher than the current national average salary all round.
However, you should consider that your wage will depend on your experience. When you first qualify, you may only earn around £19,000 annually. On the other hand, those that work hard, gain experience and are promoted could stand to earn as much as £45,000 a year.
Moreover, you should keep in mind that those working for themselves will usually be on a slightly higher wage. That said, this comes with all the responsibilities of running a business so could be considered to be more work.
What Hours Do Carpet Fitters Work?
Being a carpet fitter means that you will need to be flexible with your working hours. Many people want their carpet fitters to work around their lives. This could involve working at weekends or on evenings.
Of course, if you are self employed, you’re free to set your own hours but fitting around your client’s lives will see you gain more business. Generally speaking, a carpet fitter can expect to work between 45 and 47 hours per week on average.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Competent Carpet Fitter?
There are several ways that you can train to become a carpet fitter. Most commonly, people will take an apprenticeship. This involves spending 30 hours per week on the job, working alongside an already trained fitter and gaining experience. You’ll also spend several hours a week in a classroom environment learning the theoretical side of carpet fitting.
You would normally take an intermediate apprenticeship in floor laying and this usually takes up to three years to complete.
However, this is not the only way into the job and you might decide to directly apply to a company where you’ll receive on the job training. Provided that you have other qualities that are essential as a carpet fitter, many companies will take you on. This is a good route for people who may not have the academic qualifications to apply for an apprenticeship.
How long this takes will depend on how quickly you learn. Some people will up the basics in a few weeks whereas others take years to hone their skills.
For people who want to get into carpet fitting more quickly, there is a final option. There are institutes that offer courses that run over a much shorter period of time. One of the most popular is the Flooring Industry Training Association.
This institute offers a range of courses including basics and advanced. However, in order to become a competent carpet fitter, you’ll need to take the intermediate course. These courses run regularly and last just four days. The catch is that there’s a fee for this which currently sits at £740 plus VAT.
While this can be off putting, especially when you consider that you’ll be paid when doing the other options, it should be seen as an investment. After four days, you’ll be completely competent and able to apply for jobs or work for yourself.
Recent Article: How Much Does it Cost To Carpet A Three Bedroom House
Conclusion
Becoming a carpet fitter is an excellent job choice. You’ll need to keep in mind that it can be physically demanding so some would consider this to be a hard job. But provided you are physically fit and take good care of your body, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Moreover, carpet fitting is a great opportunity to make a handsome living. If you progress then you could be earning well over the national average and even up to £45,000 a year. Of course, this comes with training requirements which could take anywhere between four days and three years depending on the route you take.