At some point in your life, you’ll either need to replace the carpet in your home or in a property you rent or manage. Most people are afraid of the task of changing the carpet, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. When your carpet is ready to be replaced, do you need to remove the baseboards to install it?
If you’re in the process of building a house, it’s always the best option to lay carpet before putting in your baseboards. While you can have your baseboards removed when laying a new carpet, most construction companies will bypass this. Carpeting is always one of the last jobs done in a new build as removing the baseboards for installation is not only unnecessary but can also be expensive.
Any renovation in your home will be costly, and finding the perfect flooring and getting it installed correctly can further increase those costs. Let’s discuss why most contractors leave the baseboards intact during carpet installation and why it’s easier this way.
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Can you lay carpet without removing the baseboards?
Unless you’re working on a new build, any contractor you come across will leave the baseboards intact while you replace or install the carpet. Most carpets and padding end before the wall and are attached with a tack strip. Once it’s attached to the strip, a carpet stretcher is used to secure the rest of the carpet under the baseboard.
Your average carpet installer can replace the baseboards, but there’s always a risk of damage when attempting to remove them. That’s why most contractors try to avoid this at all costs. If you’re replacing or installing the carpet yourself, removing the baseboards will add extra time and stress to an already big project.
Ultimately, you can remove the baseboards in the room you’re working on, but it’s not necessary. If you hire professionals to install your new carpet, they will most likely leave the baseboards in place as they do this task for a living. If you’re new to carpet installation or looking to upgrade your home, it’s entirely up to you whether to remove the baseboards.
Why you should keep the baseboards attached when laying carpets
The main reason you should consider keeping the baseboards attached is that it’s generally less work. You can lay the carpet and not have to deal with removing and reattaching the baseboard trim. If your baseboards were properly installed during the construction of the house, there should be enough space to use a carpet kicker for your carpet installation. The gap is there for a reason, so you might as well make use of it!
When you lay carpet after the baseboards are in place, there are usually some instructions telling you how far to fold for both the carpet pad and the carpet itself. This is generally about 1 inch for the tack strip, and you’ll use a carpet stretcher to tuck the excess carpet under the baseboard. Some people also use a shoe molding or quarter round for even better fixation of the carpet.
One thing you should always consider when laying carpets is whether you’re renting or owning the property. If you’re renting, you should get approval for carpet installation before even starting. Your landlord may have certain restrictions or may even offer to have it done for you if it’s specified in your lease agreement.
Most contractors or DIYers will advise you to be more careful when laying carpets with baseboards attached. Since you’re hammering both on the tack strip and the carpet, it’s easy to hit the baseboards with the tool. Even the carpet kicker can cause damage to your baseboard trim.
What if you want to remove the baseboards?
Removing your baseboards won’t change the look of your carpet if done properly, but it may be a better idea if baseboards need to be replaced or if you’re working in an older house. Here are four steps that can help you properly remove the baseboard trim from your wall.
- Slide a utility knife along the top of the baseboard where it meets the wall. You should separate the paint or substrate from the connection of the baseboard to the wall.
- Use something with a wedge to gently pry the baseboard away from the wall. Keep in mind that nails are what hold the trim to the wall.
- Repeat this step for the length of the trim, slowly pulling the trim away from the wall.
- Number your trims for a specific wall to ensure you attach them back in the right order.
One of the major downsides of removing your baseboard trim when laying a new carpet is that you can easily crack or split the trim if you remove it improperly. A split trim piece will not only require you to replace the remaining trim in the room to match it with the new section but can also result in significant costs for your carpet installation project. The older your home is, the higher the risk of damaging the baseboard trim in your home.
Once your carpet is laid back down, you can start replacing your trim. While you should be careful when removing, nailing your trim back in place should be just as tricky. Once your trim is securely nailed, make sure to go back and touch up any areas that may need a little paint, and be careful not to get any on your newly laid carpet.
One advantage that comes with removing baseboards is that you have the opportunity to update older or defective baseboards you may have. When you put your baseboard on a carpet installation, it usually means the carpet is more secure, which is ideal if you’re looking to sell your home. A baseboard facelift can completely change the look of a room.
So, is it better to remove the baseboards?
As a final thought, what’s better for carpet installation? If your home or rental property was built properly, you shouldn’t need to remove the baseboards. Down where the drywall ends, there should be enough space for you to tuck in the end of your carpet and achieve a seamless carpet installation. It’s not necessary to remove them, but sometimes you either don’t have a choice or are looking for a more detailed procedure.
If you choose not to remove your baseboards, you can significantly reduce the labor costs. One of the risks is damaging the baseboards as a result of laying the carpet. Removing the baseboards can quickly lead to the trim splintering or breaking apart.
For those who like to remove the baseboards, it should be done as carefully and organized as possible. Watching tutorials online and asking questions at your local hardware store are great ways to get tips and tricks from those who have done it before. Removing the baseboards can be an excellent option for those working on older homes, have construction faults, or are looking for a stronger hold.