How to Prepare for Installation Day: Your Pre-Fitting Checklist

Stanley Flooring

Sep 28

3 min read

At Stanley Flooring, we want your installation day to go as smoothly as possible. A flawless finish relies on careful preparation—not just during the fitting itself, but in the hours leading up to our arrival.

To help ensure there are no delays, unexpected extra charges, or misunderstandings on the day, we have created this quick pre-installation checklist. Please read through these points carefully before our team arrives.

1. Clear the Rooms Completely

Unless we have explicitly discussed and itemized furniture moving as an additional service on your invoice, all rooms being fitted must be completely clear of furniture and personal items before we arrive.

Remove All Small Items: Clear away lamps, ornaments, electronics, clothing, and fragile decor.
Empty Storage Units: Wardrobes, sideboards, and under-bed storage should be completely emptied if they need to be moved.
Electronics & Appliances: Please disconnect and remove all TVs, audio systems, and computer wiring from the floor.

Why this matters: Our fitters need a completely open floor space to stretch carpet, lay underlay, and cut materials safely. Moving unlisted heavy furniture on the day slows down the job and risks damage to your belongings or our tools.

2. Old Carpet & Flooring Uplift

Our service includes only what is specifically itemized on your written invoice.

If you booked our Uplift & Disposal Service: Sit back and relax—our team will handle the removal of your old carpet and underlay when we arrive.
If you chose to do it yourself: The room must be 100% stripped back to the bare subfloor (including old underlay, gripper rods if being replaced, and staples) before our fitters step foot in the room.

Important: If our team arrives and the old flooring has not been removed as agreed, we may have to charge an additional uplift fee or reschedule the installation, which could incur a wasted day charge.

3. Check Your Doors & Clearances

New carpet and thick underlay will almost always increase the overall height of your floor compared to an old, worn-down pile.

Door Trimming is NOT Included as Standard: Unless "Door Trimming" is explicitly listed as a separate line item on your invoice, door trimming is not included in the fitting price.
Limitations of On-Site Trimming: Where door trimming is requested or quoted, please note that we use a specialized, flat-base undercut saw (Gulliver door saw) designed strictly for standard wooden doors over a flat subfloor.
Doors We Cannot Cut:
- Brittle or Antique Doors: Older, weathered, or brittle wood doors run a high risk of splintering and damaging the finish.
- Specialized Mechanisms: Bi-folding doors, doors with bottom pivot pins, integrated metal track mechanisms, or fire doors often cannot be cut on-site using standard fitting equipment.
- Specific Finishes: Doors with delicate veneers, metal trims, or glass inserts cannot be safely trimmed on-site.
What Happens On the Day: If a door cannot be safely trimmed using our standard tools, or if door trimming was not booked in advance, our fitters will inform you and unhinge/remove the door so the carpet can be installed properly. It will then remain the customer's responsibility to arrange a specialist joiner or carpenter to trim and reinstall the door.

4. Subfloor Access & Utilities

To ensure a secure installation and protect your property, please ensure the following:

Clear Access Paths: Please clear hallways, stairs, and driveways so our fitters can safely carry heavy rolls of carpet into your home.
Identify Hidden Pipes/Wires: If you have central heating pipes or electrical cables running shallowly under floorboards, please notify us beforehand.
Power & Lighting: Our fitters require access to working electricity for power tools and adequate lighting in all rooms being fitted.

5. Summary Checklist for Fitting Day

Before the team arrives, double-check that you have:

[ ] Cleared all furniture and personal belongings from the fitting area.
[ ] Uplifted old flooring and cleared the subfloor (if not paying for uplift).
[ ] Created a clear walking path from your front door/driveway to the room.
[ ] Arranged a plan for door trimming if your new floor is higher than the old one.
[ ] Secured pets and ensured children are kept at a safe distance from tools and work areas.

Questions About Your Invoice?

Remember: If a service or area is not explicitly listed on your Stanley Flooring invoice, it is not included in your quote.

If you realize you need help with furniture moving, disposal, or anything else before installation day, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance so we can update your quote and schedule time accordingly.

We look forward to transforming your home!